"Classic" ASP

"Classic" ASP is the version of ASP that existed prior to ASP.NET being introduced in 2002.  It was only given the name "Classic" after ASP.NET superseded what was then called just ASP.  A Classic ASP site consists of a bunch of .asp files with associated .html, .js, and .css files.  Nothing within a Classic ASP site is compiled.  It is all interpreted at run-time, which is why ASP.NET offered performance gains.  An .asp page is just HTML with a bunch of server scripts inside of <% ... %> tags.  The scripting language of choice is VBScript although technically you could use JScript (not to be confused with Javascript).

Of course, no one writes "Classic" ASP anymore.  But you may have an old application that you need to host while you ponder a rewrite.  Here are a few things you'll need to do if you don't have a time machine:

1. Classic ASP is disabled by default in IIS.  Go to Control Panel, Programs, Turn Windows features on or off.  Expand Internet Information Services, World Wide Web Services, and Application Development Features.  Check the ASP box.
2. Set up the site in IIS like you normally would.
3. By default, you're not going to see error messages that you need to see.  Open up IIS as an administrator and double click the ASP icon under IIS.  Expand Debugging Properties, and set Send Errors to Browser to True.
4. Then, if you're using IE, you need to go into Internet Options, on the Advanced tab, and uncheck the box for Show friendly HTTP error messages.