Creating a Web Site

It's time to create a new Web site with VWD.  It's a simple process of creating a folder with Web pages.  Because of the built-in VWD Web server you don't need to create virtual directories in IIS.  In fact, any folder with ASPX pages can be considered a Web site.  VWD doesn't require special project files to maintain a list of all the Web pages that are part of a Web site.  This makes working as a team on a single Web site easier than ever before because there won't be any contention for files that control the entire site.

1.  Start VWD and select the File | New Web Site menu command.

2.  A dialog will appear that allows you to pick the default language of the project and the type of Web site you want to create.  For Templates select ASP.NET Web Site. For Location click Browse and navigate to a parent folder in which to place your files. Replace the default folder "WebSite1" with "Authors". This will be your working folder. Finally, for Language select your language of choice, and then click OK.

You could also elect to create a Web site at an HTTP or FTP location.

Take a quick look at the files that VWD created for the Web site:

The Default.aspx page is automatically put in the Web site.  No special project files have been created, and only the files that make the Web site itself are required.  Virtually any folder with ASPX pages can be opened as a Web site.

The Default.aspx.vb source file contains the support code for the Default.aspx page, referred to as the "code-behind".  VWD allows you to either store the code-behind in a separate file (like Default.aspx.vb above), or you can store it directly in the the Default.aspx page itself.  It is recommended that you manage your code in a separate source file for production Web sites.