HTML control VS. Web Server control

HTML controls

HTML controls are fundamental elements of the HTML language and are primarily designed for client-side functionality. They are exclusively accessible within the HTML page itself, which contributes to improved web page performance. It is important to note that HTML controls utilized in an ASP.NET Web page are not directly accessible to the web server.er.

HTML Server controls

By adding the attribute runat="server" to an HTML control, it can be transformed into an HTML server control. This attribute establishes a connection between the control and the server-side code, enabling access to the control from the code-behind files. Without the runat="server" attribute, the control would not be recognized or accessible in the code-behind files.

Web Server Controls or ASP.NET controls

Web Server Controls are a collection of controls that inherit directly from the base class System.Web.UI.WebControls. These controls are executed on the server side and generate HTML output that is sent back to the client browser. Unlike HTML controls, Web Server Controls are programmable and reusable, offering additional functionality beyond standard HTML controls. One notable feature of Web Server Controls is their ability to detect the capabilities of the client browser and adapt their rendering accordingly, providing a more optimized and compatible user experience.

Web Server Controls Advantages

Server controls offer convenience and ease of use compared to HTML controls. With server controls, event handling occurs on the server side, allowing for server-side processing and logic. On the other hand, HTML controls rely on client-side event handling within the browser.

Another advantage of server controls is their ability to maintain data across multiple requests using view state. View state enables the server controls to persist and retrieve data between user interactions, providing a seamless user experience. In contrast, HTML controls do not have a built-in mechanism for storing data between requests, requiring alternative methods for data persistence.

Conclusion

Server controls provide enhanced functionality and manageability, making them a preferred choice for web development scenarios where server-side processing, event handling, and data persistence are crucial.