ASP

Just to confuse ordinary people like you and me, there are two equally important definitions of ASP. It can refer to 1) an Active Server Page, or 2) an Application Service Provider. 1. An "Active Server Page." This is a web page that has one or more scripts embedded in it. You can tell if you're accessing an active server page if the suffix of the URL is ".asp" (as opposed to ".html"). Like CGI-based pages, ASP pages are processed on a Web server before they are transferred to a user's browser. ASP's are typically used for pages that have dynamic, or frequently changing, information. A common ASP script will get input from the user or user's computer (through a form or a cookie), then access a database on the server, from which it will build and/or customize the page. Since ASP technology was designed by Microsoft, ASP pages typically run Visual Basic Scripts (VBScripts). 2. Stands for "Application Service Provider." Sometimes refered to as an "app-on-tap," this is a third-party company that distributes software-based services from a central location to customers across a wide area network (WAN). In other words, a typical ASP will offer companies access, via the Internet, to programs and services that would otherwise have to be stored on their own computer systems. Application Service Providers are often an inexpensive way for companies and organizations to manage their information services. There are five main categories of Application Service Providers: 1. Local or Regional ASP - supplies many different application services for smaller businesses or individuals in a local area. 2. Specialist ASP - provides applications for specific needs, such as Human Resources or Web services. 3. Vertical Market ASP - provides support to a specific industry such as Education. 4. Enterprise ASP - delivers information and services for high-end business. 5. Volume Business ASP - supplies small or medium-sized businesses with services in high volume.