I was asked to explain the differences if any between MVC (Razor Engine) and WebMatrix (Razor Engine)?
(Assume that the user is fluent in VS2010). I promised to look up an answer. So can anyone help explain IN PLAIN ENGLISH.
As far as I can see, WebMatrix is just a non-Gui IDE and MVC apps can be developed using VS2010 GUI. Both MVC using VS2010 and webMatrix
are essentially same, but different audience. WebMatrix is for PHP developers moving to .Net and MVC is for seasoned .Net developers.
Ok, I am confused myself.
So the Questions are?
(a) If I already have VS 2010, why should I want WebMatrix?
(b) Other than when I want to use Helpers, when should I use WebMatrix if I already have VS201?
(c) Assuming I develop APP1 using WebMatrix and then develop same APP1 using VS2010 MVC (same Razor engine) will there be any differences in the Syntax
Ok, to clarify this, WebMatrix and Visual Studio 2010 are both IDEs. MVC is part of asp.net just like web forms. If you already have VS 2010, you dont' need WebMatrix. Webmatrix would be ideal if you have helper developers but don't need the fullblown functionality
of VS2010. I think when you mean syntax between web matrix and MVC I think you mean the difference between web forms and MVC. There are major differences in the syntax between the two. I'm experienced asp.net forms and I'm still struggling with MVC. I am part
of the camp that says if you can do it with asp.net forms, then why do MVC? I know that sounds like the old "if it aint broke, don't fix it" mentality but that is just my opinion and take on it. Hope this helps you. :)
The Razor syntax was originally developed for ASP.NET Web Pages, which is the simplified programming model that WebMatrix supports. Then someone thought it would make quite a groovy View engine for ASP.NET MVC, so it has been adopted there too. The syntax
is identical, regardless whether you are developing MVC or Web Pages.
I wouldn't recommend developing MVC apps with WebMatrix. Web Pages (and WebMatrix) support a different compilation model to MVC. It's the one that works for Web Forms Web
Sites as opposed to Web Applications. OK, now to the specific questions:
yousaid
(a) If I already have VS 2010, why should I want WebMatrix?
You might want to have a play. You wouldn't use WebMatrix as a serious part of your day job unless you wanted to use it for prototyping (downloading and using a CMS as a proof of concept, for example).
yousaid
(b) Other than when I want to use Helpers, when should I use WebMatrix if I already have VS201?
You don't even need to use if for the helpers. They are available via NuGet.
yousaid
(c) Assuming I develop APP1 using WebMatrix and then develop same APP1 using VS2010 MVC (same Razor engine) will there be any differences in the Syntax
Nope.
yousaid
WebMatrix is for PHP developers moving to .Net and MVC is for seasoned .Net developers.
I'd say that WebMatrix is for anyone wanting to get started with ASP.NET, whether they know anything about web devleopment or not.
MVC is for more than just seasoned ASP.NET developers. RubyOn Rails, Java Struts, CakePHP, etc, etc - there are loads of MVC frameworks, and experienced users of any of them can migrate to ASP.NET MVC quite easily.
Mike, I'm thinking that since this question gets asked often that maybe there should be a WIKI doc if one doesn't exist that addresses questions like this... just a thought :)
Thanks for your reply, But I was asked that question and I have struggled to answer it..
No, they are aware of the differences between Webforms and MVC.
To sumerize their question I will say they want know:
Why Should I bother Installing or developing using WebMatrix if I already have VS2010 installed?
Or,
If we develop a NON Web forms APP (MVC) using WebMatrix, will there be any differences if we developed same APP using VS2010
Oh my !!
I was supposed to be explaining this to some High School group !!
Looks like I am heading for more questions than I can answer.
I will copy and paste the answers here and probably duck under the table when the questions start flying LOL.
Then what is an APP developed with WebMatrix called?
A WebPages App?
There are fundamentally three ways to create a web application using ASP.NET - Web Forms, ASP.NET MVC and Web Pages. You can create any of them using VS/VWD 2010 SP1, or WebMatrix (although as I said before, MVC is a lot harder with WebMatrix). To add to
it, you can create a classic ASP app with WebMatrix, or a PHP application. WebMatrix is not a lot more than a glorified text editor, with a bit of HTML and CSS code completion - although it knows about SQL Server Compact databases and it has a love affair
with IIS Express.
If you are talking to high School Students who have not done any development before, stick with the Web Pages model and don't worry about anything else. You will only confuse the poor little ones. (And yourself).
yousaid
Participant
811 Points
334 Posts
What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 05:11 PM|LINK
I was asked to explain the differences if any between MVC (Razor Engine) and WebMatrix (Razor Engine)?
(Assume that the user is fluent in VS2010). I promised to look up an answer. So can anyone help explain IN PLAIN ENGLISH.
As far as I can see, WebMatrix is just a non-Gui IDE and MVC apps can be developed using VS2010 GUI. Both MVC using VS2010 and webMatrix
are essentially same, but different audience. WebMatrix is for PHP developers moving to .Net and MVC is for seasoned .Net developers.
Ok, I am confused myself.
So the Questions are?
(a) If I already have VS 2010, why should I want WebMatrix?
(b) Other than when I want to use Helpers, when should I use WebMatrix if I already have VS201?
(c) Assuming I develop APP1 using WebMatrix and then develop same APP1 using VS2010 MVC (same Razor engine) will there be any differences in the Syntax
bbcompent1
All-Star
32978 Points
8502 Posts
Moderator
Re: What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 05:38 PM|LINK
Ok, to clarify this, WebMatrix and Visual Studio 2010 are both IDEs. MVC is part of asp.net just like web forms. If you already have VS 2010, you dont' need WebMatrix. Webmatrix would be ideal if you have helper developers but don't need the fullblown functionality of VS2010. I think when you mean syntax between web matrix and MVC I think you mean the difference between web forms and MVC. There are major differences in the syntax between the two. I'm experienced asp.net forms and I'm still struggling with MVC. I am part of the camp that says if you can do it with asp.net forms, then why do MVC? I know that sounds like the old "if it aint broke, don't fix it" mentality but that is just my opinion and take on it. Hope this helps you. :)
Mikesdotnett...
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154852 Points
19855 Posts
Moderator
MVP
Re: What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 06:01 PM|LINK
The Razor syntax was originally developed for ASP.NET Web Pages, which is the simplified programming model that WebMatrix supports. Then someone thought it would make quite a groovy View engine for ASP.NET MVC, so it has been adopted there too. The syntax is identical, regardless whether you are developing MVC or Web Pages.
I wouldn't recommend developing MVC apps with WebMatrix. Web Pages (and WebMatrix) support a different compilation model to MVC. It's the one that works for Web Forms Web Sites as opposed to Web Applications. OK, now to the specific questions:
You might want to have a play. You wouldn't use WebMatrix as a serious part of your day job unless you wanted to use it for prototyping (downloading and using a CMS as a proof of concept, for example).
You don't even need to use if for the helpers. They are available via NuGet.
Nope.
I'd say that WebMatrix is for anyone wanting to get started with ASP.NET, whether they know anything about web devleopment or not.
MVC is for more than just seasoned ASP.NET developers. RubyOn Rails, Java Struts, CakePHP, etc, etc - there are loads of MVC frameworks, and experienced users of any of them can migrate to ASP.NET MVC quite easily.
Beginning ASP.NET Web Pages with WebMatrix | My Site | Twitter
bbcompent1
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32978 Points
8502 Posts
Moderator
Re: What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 06:07 PM|LINK
Mike, I'm thinking that since this question gets asked often that maybe there should be a WIKI doc if one doesn't exist that addresses questions like this... just a thought :)
Mikesdotnett...
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19855 Posts
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MVP
Re: What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 06:12 PM|LINK
There used to be an ASP.NET Wiki, but hardly anyone used it so it seems to have disappeared when Web Pages was added to this site's main menu.
[EDIT]
Oh hang on a sec - it's still there: http://wiki.asp.net/
Beginning ASP.NET Web Pages with WebMatrix | My Site | Twitter
yousaid
Participant
811 Points
334 Posts
Re: What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 06:20 PM|LINK
Thanks for your reply, But I was asked that question and I have struggled to answer it..
No, they are aware of the differences between Webforms and MVC.
To sumerize their question I will say they want know:
Why Should I bother Installing or developing using WebMatrix if I already have VS2010 installed?
Or,
If we develop a NON Web forms APP (MVC) using WebMatrix, will there be any differences if we developed same APP using VS2010
cheers
yousaid
Participant
811 Points
334 Posts
Re: What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 06:24 PM|LINK
Thanks Mike.
Then what is an APP developed with WebMatrix called?
A WebPages App?
honestly, I am confused myself and I am NOT new to developing.
cheers
bbcompent1
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32978 Points
8502 Posts
Moderator
Re: What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 06:24 PM|LINK
If I'm understanding what Mike is saying, there would be no need or point to installing webmatrix if you already have VS2010
yousaid
Participant
811 Points
334 Posts
Re: What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 06:28 PM|LINK
Oh my !!
I was supposed to be explaining this to some High School group !!
Looks like I am heading for more questions than I can answer.
I will copy and paste the answers here and probably duck under the table when the questions start flying LOL.
yousaid
Mikesdotnett...
All-Star
154852 Points
19855 Posts
Moderator
MVP
Re: What is the Difference Between an APP developed in WebMatrix and MVC using VS2010?
Apr 18, 2011 06:43 PM|LINK
There are fundamentally three ways to create a web application using ASP.NET - Web Forms, ASP.NET MVC and Web Pages. You can create any of them using VS/VWD 2010 SP1, or WebMatrix (although as I said before, MVC is a lot harder with WebMatrix). To add to it, you can create a classic ASP app with WebMatrix, or a PHP application. WebMatrix is not a lot more than a glorified text editor, with a bit of HTML and CSS code completion - although it knows about SQL Server Compact databases and it has a love affair with IIS Express.
If you are talking to high School Students who have not done any development before, stick with the Web Pages model and don't worry about anything else. You will only confuse the poor little ones. (And yourself).
Beginning ASP.NET Web Pages with WebMatrix | My Site | Twitter