By definition, this technology is for web page development which uses ActiveX scripts that could either be VB or Jscript coding and can be identified by its code extension .ASP. An ASP is an HTML page that includes one or more scripts (small embedded programs) processed on the Microsoft Web server before the page is sent back to the user.
ASP is alike CGI program which can be executed as part of a web server process, only that in ASP, usual tools can still be worked on by programmers of Visual Basic. Since the server-side script is just building a regular HTML page, it can be delivered to almost any browser. In ASP, web page's objects can be linked and displayed as per user selection with the data that was accessed from the database or from ASP logic code.
There are companies who provide support for Windows based web development using ASP. This web hosting solution has developed sites in a data-driven way. In this case, the HTML pages are embedded with ASP scripts. Using ASP in developing these web sites, the pages can be changed according to the user's action. The database objects are linked with the web page's component elements thru ASP scripts, and this functionality allows the user to use his or her profile in logging in and use their own personalized settings or perhaps can change the look and feel of the page. When the user clicks on the web page or types a URL, the web browser sends a request to the server that the user has requested a file to his / her computer.
If a standard HTML is used in that file, the web server will send back an exact copy of that same web page. But if the HTML file has ASP script embedded in it, the web server will execute the ASP code then sends back the HTML page with the retrieved data from the ASP code.
In ASP web hosting services technology, a specific Windows server must be used.
It is compatible and reliable server-side back end for ASP pages. Moreover, this server is Internet Information Services (IIS) supported so it can work around with ASP objects well. If the databases used in a web site are MS Access, SQL, etc, the required database support must be defined by the ASP web hosting solutions provider.
It is very important to conduct thorough research on the company that provides ASP web hosting solutions before committing into it. The features offered by the hosting provider should be studied and analyzed well. Pointing out the right ASP web hosting is a huge factor in the progress and development of a business specific website.