What is the difference between Web Site and a Web Application?

Web Site

• On a website, you cannot add multiple projects.
• There is no project file (.csproj or .vbproj). All the files in a folder structure are automatically included on the site.
• By default, compilation produces multiple assemblies.
• The website is easy to create and deploy.
• You can use different .NET languages on a single website such as VB.NET pages and C# pages can be used on a single website.
• You can edit a single page/file after deployment recompilation is not required.
• Choose a website where one developer will responsible for creating and managing an entire website. Since decoupling is not possible on the website.
• You cannot establish dependencies on the website.

Web Application

• In a web application, you can add multiple projects.
• It has a Visual Studio project file (.csproj or .vbproj) stores information about the project like as the list of files that are included in the project, and any project-to-project references.
• By default, compilation of code files (excluding .aspx and .ascx files) produces a single assembly.
• It is easy to develop compared to the website.
• You cannot use different .NET languages in a Web Application such asC# and VB.NET both cannot be used in a web application.
• You cannot edit a single file. Recompilation is required.
• The right choice for enterprise environments where multiple developers work for creating, testing, and deployment. Different groups work on various components independently like one group work on the domain layer, other work on the UI layer hence, decoupling is possible here
• You can establish dependencies in a Web Application.