Web Site or Web Application in ASP.NET

Question

Which Visual Studio template should be used for a ASP.NET web site, the Web Site template or the Project | Web Application template?

Answer 1

Both function and perform similarly, but still differ in following ways:

Web application:

• We can't include C# and VB pages in single web application.
• We can set up dependencies between multiple projects.
• Can not edit individual files after deployment without recompiling.
• Right choice for enterprise environments where multiple developers work unitedly for creating, testing and deployment.

Web site:

• Can mix VB and C# page in single website.
• Can not establish dependencies.
• Edit individual files after deployment.
• Right choice when one developer will responsible for creating and managing entire website.