The Global Configuration File
In ASP+, all the configuration details for all Web applications are kept in
human-readable files named config.web.
The default config.web
file is in the Program
FilesComPlusv2000.14.1812
directory and this specifies the settings that apply to any applications or
directories that do not over-ride the defaults. The standard format for the
configuration files is XML, and each application inherits the settings in the
default config.web
file.
The config.web file specifies a whole range
of settings for the application, including the HTTP Modules and Request Handlers
that are to be used to handle each request. This provides a completely extensible
and flexible architecture, allowing non-standard HTTP protocol handling to be
carried out if required. We examine configuration files and their use in Chapter
6.
The Application Definition File
– global.asax
As in ASP 2.0 and 3.0, it is also possible to use a definition file that specifies
the actions to take when an application starts and ends, and when individual
user sessions start and end. This file is named global.asax (note the .asax file extension), and is stored
in the root directory for each application.
The existing ASP event handlers Application_OnStart,
Application_OnEnd,
Session_OnStart, and Session_OnEnd
are supported in global.asax, as well as several new events such as Application_BeginRequest,
Security_OnAuthenticate, and others. And, as before, the global.asax
file can be used to set the values of global or session-level variables and
instantiate objects. We look at the use of global.asax files in Chapter 6.
ASP+ Application and Session State
One of the useful features in previous versions of ASP that developers were
quick to take advantage of was the provision of global and user-level scope
for storing values and object instances. This uses the Application
and Session
objects in ASP, and these objects are still present in ASP+. Although backwards
compatible, however, the new Application
and Session
objects offer a host of extra features.