This will be a "what is the best car" like topic - everybody has it's favorite. But let me be the first one. I sugges MVC3 or even better MVC4. I'll tell you why, but let me answer to the other questions first:
2) None of these, since they all can be hosted under IIS (standard web server found in both the client and server editions of windows - i suggest IIS7+ (Vista or Windows Server 2008 or above versions)). A web application is by definition client-server, you will probably not need to bother about these things, yous know
how http works. With MVC4 you have webapi, that allows you to make your own webserver easily - but I suggest you don't go that far.
3)
http://www.asp.net/mvc/tutorials/getting-started-with-aspnet-mvc3/cs/intro-to-aspnet-mvc-3[
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http://www.asp.net/mvc/tutorials/mvc-4/getting-started-with-aspnet-mvc4/intro-to-aspnet-mvc-4[
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Why ASP.NET MVC?
My opinion: it is the best thing could happen to the Microsoft way to do web applications. If you do it right you will follow the main streams of non-microsoft web development, this is close to how other people think that web development could be done right. Just in two words:
- you can use your knowledge in html, css, and javascript
- you have full control over the emitted html code and
- you still have the full strength of the framework behind you on server side
- you do on client side what you think should be done on client side and you do on server side what you think you have to do on server side - and you have a clear line between them
- it guides you towards a sustainable, maintainable development by leveraging separation of concerns.
Better read these too:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/dd942833.aspx[
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Learn MVC (Model View Controller) step by step in 7 days – Day 1[
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