What language would you use for this project?

[glaze]

How should I choose a programming language for a project that includes:

1.Content Management System
2.Events Calendar from database
3.Message Boards
4.Search Engine
6.Online Polls & Surveys
7.Blogs
8.Event Registration System

The site will likely be hosted on a Windows server with and SQL database.

One of our programmers wants to use ColdFusion (cause that's what he knows) but another recommends PHP. Any thoughts on how I can pic a direction? Thanks!

[Voltec]

1) If you believe your website will become popular over time (and don't we all want that to happen?), then I suggest you DON'T do Windows! To put it briefly, I crashed a Windows server daily with 80,000 pageviews a day using ASP and Microsoft SQL Server 7. After re-writing the scripts to PHP and putting them on a Unix box running Apache, we grew to display 110-150,000 pages daily - and never went over 40% of the CPU. Case closed - for serving pages, Apache ROCKS! (=

2) I like PHP and mySQL on Apache... why go elsewhere?

Just my .02 worth... but good luck and have fun with the project!

Matt

[uncle_bob]

To choose a programming language depends what language you or your developers know, and depending of their level of skill, in what language sample/open-source code is available in. I know that many of the items in your list have opensource php equivalents, so that may be a good place to start. But if you can find sample code to do all of those things, in a language you know, then you have your answer.

[danieljean]

Look at pre-made solutions before you embark on such a project. The Scoop engine and slashcode should be worth looking at. What you have could be several person-years of work.

Their search engines are all broken, and Jakarta's Lucene could fill that gap, or you may want to use Google's services- or buy one of their boxes.

[Sanenet]

..Windows server with and SQL database..

Cold Fusion baby. And can I just say that I'm running a box with win2000, MS-SQL and CF5.5 that receives some 750.000 uniques/day over 7 sites with no problem. (Among others :))

But yes, part of the solution depends on your in house expertise. Why force a good programmer into a new language when it's not necessary?

[glaze]

Well I mostly work with contract programmers. This project hasn't started yet and I've been wary of ColdFusion so I have the opportunity to embark in another direction.

The site is one that we will be able to resell within the client's industry so easy customization is also a factor.

Perhaps, there's nothing wrong with doing this site in ColdFusion?

[Sanenet]

Well, if you're planning to resell the software the fact that CF is pay-for could be a negative factor.

I just like it because it's fast, easy, reliable and all round kicks ass :)

[glaze]

By pay-for you mean the cost of hosting?

[Sanenet]

The fact that a CF license can cost you a couple of grand (which means CF hosting is somewhat more expensive than others).

Of course, you could set up a reseller deal and host your clients copies of the software for a fixed amount.

[Raymond]

If IIS crashes on 80,000 pageviews, Microsoft wouldn't be as big a company as it is now.

ASP, PHP, Coldfusion, Perl... Who cares? They are all capable for your list of tasks and I wouldn't say which one is better than which. People would always recommend the language that they are most familiar with. I'd say you just go ahead and use the language that your team is most comfortable with. If budget is a concern, definitely PHP will be your first choice.

[glaze]

A third programmer is trying to convince me to use .NET for this project. He thinks it will make the project easier to maintain, update, and customize in the future. Thoughts? Thanks!

[jatar_k]

glaze,

Things to consider when making these types of decisions

what platform/hardware you have
what your programmers suggest, as they are the ones building it

So, if you are going with windows with SQL server why not go with asp/.NET? If your programmer knows it and it will integrate very well with win/SQL server.

Don't do coldfusion, it is the least robust of the choices you have presented. The rest are equal.

everyone will have a different personal opinion, the point is to decide based on your situation and not the various biases of others. ;)

[glaze]

Thanks jatar_K.

I will be using a win/SQL server. The issue I have is I'm not committed to a specific programmer. I have three that I could be working with and thus my options: CF, ASP.NET, PHP. I need to decide which direction to take this project in so I can select an appropriate programmer. I'm reluctant to go with what we've been developing in lately (CF) because of the hosting costs.

How would you choose between PHP and ASP.NET? My considerations include:

1. development time (I have about 3 months for this project and a budget for one programmer)

2. finding qualified programmers

3. the rate these programmers charge (is it cheaper to find PHP programmers than ASP.NET)

4. the best language to offer easy updates and customizability for reselling this project in the future.

Thanks!

[jatar_k]

1. development time (I have about 3 months for this project and a budget for one programmer)

which programmer do you find you have better communication with and better understands your requirements?

2. finding qualified programmers

there are tons around for any language

3. the rate these programmers charge (is it cheaper to find PHP programmers than ASP.NET)

the one you can communicate with the best will be worth their weight in gold and cut down on redos. You get what you pay for.

4. the best language to offer easy updates and customizability for reselling this project in the future.

as long as you have a proficient, intelligent programmer this becomes moot in eother php or asp

[g1smd]

If you want something that you might have to rewrite everytime that M$ brings out a new point-release then go the ASP or .NET route.

If you don't want an expensive long-term lock-in then go the PHP route. All the tools are FREE. The only thing you invest is TIME.