I have recently taught myself HTML and CSS, and have just started formally learning PHP through tutorial videos and some digging around on my current PHPBB site.

However, im beginning to wonder if i should put learning PHP on hold for learning ASP?

Here is what im looking to acheive in the near future...

I would like to have an e-commerce site, very similar to the way this site looks and acts (http://4s.com/4sCat/cataloglook.aspx?Site=FourSeasons) which i noticed runs off of asp or at least one would assume.

The major difference being that on the site i do, id want picking make, model, year, engine to result in a html block/page on the right displaying the single product id be selling.

So in otherwords a bit more visual.

Im wondering if the same core functions of that site can be replicated using PHP (or if php is better), or if doing a site like this is only feasible in ASP?

Thanks.

**NOTE: i do plan on learning both and other languages in the future, i just do not have the time to learn both at the same time...**

Actually that site is in ASP.NET and the feature list "picker" uses AJAX to display the list.

and the system is Vertical Developments eCatalog

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Actually that site is in ASP.NET and the feature list "picker" uses AJAX to display the list.

and the system is Vertical Developments eCatalog

Chris you have a way of leaving people in the dark...you gotta tell me that stuff as if im a 5 year old.

Is ASP different then ASP.net?

And your saying the drop down lists are done using AJAX? Thats not done using ASP as well?

I have no idea what vertical dev's is for or does, could you maybe dumb it down for me with an explination.

Also in your opinion, is this something i could do with just PHP/HTML or to really get that functionality do i need to know ASP (or ASP.net) and AJAX?

Vertical Developments are the company that produce the catalogue system that the site you linked to are using.

ASP.NET is the newer "framework" system which can be programmed for using several languages, whereas ASP has just VbScript and JScript. A few years old now but still viable

The dropdown selectors are obviously HTML but have AJAX functionality. AJAX is a hybrid of client side javascript and server side code (the actual code type is immaterial).
So as you select an option the javascript calls a serverside operation to return some data and code which is then inserted into the document. The quick reply here uses the same method.

Any server side code can be used to accomplish it, but you do need to have a good grasp of whichever you choose plus a good solid grounding in javascript and DOM scripting.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

ASP.NET is the newer "framework" system which can be programmed for using several languages, whereas ASP has just VbScript and JScript. A few years old now but still viable

A few years, or a few commas in the number?

For personal sites, it doesn't make a difference. For a job in programming, ASP is like Windows 95 - there are instances running, but every day there are fewer production systems being maintained with ASP Classic.

PHP is, well, it's the free version of ASP Classic. It's missing a lot, but you can get the basics done with it.

Thanks for the explinations...from the sounds of it id have to know a bunch of stuff to get a site like that done. This maybe something im better off saving up for and paying someone to do or educating myself..which ever comes first.

I never had a catalouge in mind...at least not really. (not like that site does).

Id basically want the drop down menus (just a fancy search really) to grab a html page for the product and display that in a "frame" on the same page. Obviously with the ability to click a button to purchase said item (or add to cart).

Im not sure if that changes things...but is something like that doable with just php/html/css?

Or regardless am i gonna have to use JS or ASP.NET?

I guess it really doesnt matter which i learn first...i just didnt want to waste time on one when i needed the other sooner.

Thanks guys.

Another thing to note is that PHP runs on linux servere, whereas ASP runs only on linux servers, which are more expensive and harder to find.

Originally Posted by conorod

Another thing to note is that PHP runs on linux servere, whereas ASP runs only on linux servers, which are more expensive and harder to find.

I suppose you mean to say ASP will only run on windows servers?

i think it windows... since we running ASP using IIS ..

It really depends on what platform you are wanting to develop on. If you want to develop on Windows, then ASP.net by all means. IF you want to develop on Linux, then PHP

Originally Posted by ctbinccp

I suppose you mean to say ASP will only run on windows servers?

I think that is what he meant to say, but it's actually not true. ASP can run under Apache on Linux. Also, PHP can run on a Windows server.