Sure! Here's an overview of global features and files in ASP.NET Web Pages (WebMatrix), focusing on how to manage application-wide settings, variables, and lifecycle using the Global.asax and application-level state.

ASP.NET Web Pages Global Concepts

1. What is Global.asax?

• It’s a special optional file in ASP.NET projects.

• Used to handle application-level events like start, end, error handling, session start/end.

• Helps initialize app-wide variables, logging, security checks, etc.

2. Creating a Global.asax File in Web Pages

Create a file named Global.asax in your root folder, for example:

<%@ Application Language="C#" %><script runat="server">    void Application_Start(object sender, EventArgs e)     {        // Code that runs on application startup        Application["AppStartTime"] = DateTime.Now;    }    void Session_Start(object sender, EventArgs e)     {        // Code that runs when a new session starts        Session["VisitorCount"] = 0;    }    void Application_Error(object sender, EventArgs e)     {        Exception ex = Server.GetLastError();        // Log the error or handle it        Server.ClearError();    }    void Session_End(object sender, EventArgs e)     {        // Code that runs when session ends    }    void Application_End(object sender, EventArgs e)     {        // Code that runs on application shutdown    }</script>

3. Using Application and Session Variables

• Application variables are shared by all users (global across all sessions).

// SetApplication["SiteName"] = "My Web Site";// Getvar siteName = Application["SiteName"];

• Session variables are per user session.

// SetSession["UserName"] = "Alice";// Getvar userName = Session["UserName"];

4. Accessing Global Variables in Web Pages

Anywhere in your .cshtml page:

@{    var siteName = Application["SiteName"];    var userName = Session["UserName"];}<h1>Welcome to @siteName</h1>@if(userName != null) {    <p>Hello, @userName!</p>}

5. Why Use Global.asax?

• Central place to handle cross-cutting concerns: logging, error handling, caching.

• Initialize resources on app start.

• Track active users/sessions.

• Manage app shutdown cleanups.

6. Alternative: App_Start Folder (for advanced apps)

For larger projects, you can use App_Start folder with .cs classes to organize startup code — but Global.asax is simplest for Web Pages.

If you want, I can also show you how to handle errors globally, or how to use HTTP modules in ASP.NET Web Pages! Just ask.