EPiServer CMS 5 and .NET

EPiServer CMS is based on the Microsoft .NET technology, familiarity with the concepts of Web development using ASP.NET is essential for creating solutions based on EPiServer CMS. EPiServer page templates are implemented using ASP.NET Web Forms (.aspx file extension) and master pages (.Master file extension). Different pieces of layout and functionality are often implemented as ASP.NET User Controls (.ascx file extension).

The .aspx files (for page templates) and .ascx files (for user controls) contain primarily visual elements such as html, server controls and static text. These files are referred to as the “markup files” of the page templates and user controls throughout the course materials. The code and programming logic is primarily placed in the code-behind files (.cs file extension when developing using C#). In Visual Studio “designer files” (file extension .designer.cs for C#) usually contain control declarations and are also auto generated.

Further information about some of the important concepts when developing with EPiServer and .NET can be found in the links below.

» Important concepts

Visual Studio Integration

EPiServer projects can be created directly within VS 2008. You can also create EPiServer page templates, custom properties, Master Pages and much more directly from the Visual Studio 2005 interface.

Developers can make full use of the Visual Studio Design mode and can quickly use the EPiServer Web controls through drag-and-drop from the Visual Studio tool box.

Watch the guide about EPiServer CMS - Visual Studio Integration.

EPiServer Architecture

The EPiServer architecture is an open and flexible architecture - it is built to be extended.  Extending EPiServer is possible in many ways. Plug-in's are often added/created to extend functionality in edit and admin mode. Extending EPiServer with custom ”data types” for properties - custom properties - allows various forms of data to be accessible to the user of the Web site.


There are many third party modules that can easily be intergrated with EPiServer CMS. The EPiServer Create+ packet is now available, it consists of several exciting products for Web development and end users.

Developing in EPiServer CMS 5  – Competencies

In order to begin developing with EPiServer it is benefical to have a sound understanding of EPiServer CMS Edit and Admin modes. Good knowledge in Visual Studio 2008, ASP.NET, C#, HTML, CSS is also highly recommended.  Micorsoft Visual Studio 2008 is the recommended development environment for EPiServer CMS 5.

System Requirements

In order to the run EPiServer CMS 5 R2 on your machine must fulfill the EPiServer CMS R2 SP2 System Requirements which are documented on EPiServerWorld.