General Discussions

**zndservices.com** · 01-19-2007, 02:10 PM

I've been working with a particular company for the last several years, and they are growing exponentially. They are considering switching hosting companies, and asked me some questions that I honestly don't know how to answer....so I'm asking here...

The company has multiple websites with alot of traffic and alot of database queries. Multiple forums, tons of articles, etc.

The questions they have are this:

What's the best web programming language - .asp, .php, or something else?
What's the best type of server - Unix or Microsoft
What's the best database - Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, etc.

I realize that these are mainly matters of opinion, but I would like to get the opinions of others before I make a recommendation to them.

Thanks,
Dena

**Mattmaul1992** · 01-19-2007, 02:49 PM

I have barely any experience with ASP but I recomend PHP/MySQL VERY highly. Most forums are ran off of PHP because they can handle a lot of users at one time. For example I know of a forum that has about 120,000 members wtih about 100-200 people using more than 7 querys a page using the same database with asolutely no lag in database response time (well maybe half a second here and there but it always works). Another option to consider is Perl/MySQL. I am just learning Perl so I have no idea if it's better than PHP but i'm pretty sure PHP has more functions. As for hosting all their sites. I recomend 1and1 highly because they offer LARGE amounts of bandwidth for a very low price. (for example i think 250 GB bandwidth a month for just 5 bucks a month with 100 GB storage space and 50 MySQL databases and updated PHP/Perl support) they also offer great MS hosting if you want to take the Microsoft options.
http://www.1and1.com

Hope this helps, good luck.

**ExpressoDan** · 01-19-2007, 06:38 PM

It really depends on what you want to do in the future and where you want to go with your programming skills. Most larger companies are prodominatly Windows based programming in .NET with C# C++. A lot of other agencies whose focus is on security might use php or some unix/solaris based language. If you want to just be a small web developer, it's easier to learn php as there are more sources of information on the language. Don't learn classic asp, it's a thing of the past already...

Good luck

**stOx** · 01-19-2007, 07:21 PM

LAMP RULES!!!

Linux, Apache, mySQL, PHP

**ExpressoDan** · 01-19-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stOx

LAMP RULES!!!

Linux, Apache, mySQL, PHP

LOL!! That's debatable

**travelagent** · 01-19-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExpressoDan

It really depends on what you want to do in the future and where you want to go with your programming skills. Most larger companies are prodominatly Windows based programming in .NET with C# C++.
Good luck

I respectfully disagree with you, and will side with stOx from practical experience.

**ExpressoDan** · 01-19-2007, 07:56 PM

Its okay to disagree as long as you have something to back it up with. respectfully

**stOx** · 01-19-2007, 10:58 PM

I tend to not use windows on principle, So don't have any windows server experience. but with a lot of Linux server/OS experience i can't see how a sofware package that comes into the thousands of dollars could be better than something as powerful and secure as the free open source alternative.

**sylvia090** · 01-20-2007, 12:44 AM

Hi
I knw its a quintessial question that every programmer faces with a new project however i suggest u go with ASP as php being a free ware requires a lot of juggling for jus d initial set up..
Strictly my opinion..

Rgds,
Sylvia

**vangogh** · 01:33 AM

Dena this is going to be one of those questions where most people will pick sides based more on opinion than anything else. Either is fine really.

Personally I'm on the linux, apache, mysql, php side. The main advantage to me was that the open source side meant I wasn't going to be locked into having to do things the Microsoft way. I like the freedom of choice that comes from the open source side of things.

I also like the free as in the money part of the equation. Mostly though I know I can run a php/mysql application on a windows server and I can't run a .net application on an apache server.

I don't have any practical experience on the Microsoft side of things so I can't speak for them, but I know a lot of people here do things in the Microsoft side and are very happy.

I'd say if your company is already on one side of things they may as well stay on that same side when switching hosts. You're going to find good and bad hosts, programmers, etc on either side. I think either side is fine. They'll both have pros and cons as far as certain aspects being easier or better, but they'll also each have workarounds to get things done.

By the way Matt, you look different today. New haircut?