Help required regarding Web Hosting

Iis 7

[naiquevin]

I am just about to purchase a web hosting plan ..
as i went throught the FAQs , I noticed a statement ..

PHP 5 is enabled for Windows hosting accounts running IIS 7, only.

My first question is what is IIS 7?

The website I am going to host is entirely coded using HTML, CSS, PHP and MySQL ..

So, I want to confirm if I can use the above plan..

And one more question--
Is shared hosting a term used for general hosting plan that the service providers have .. or is it something else ?

[daveVk]

The website I am going to host is entirely coded using HTML, CSS, PHP and MySQL

Then go for a linux hosting account with apache server, should have PHP5

IIS 7 is a microsoft web server.

Unless you a high traffic site or special requirements, shared hosting the way to go, you do not need a dedicated machine.

[naiquevin]

Thanks a lot daveVK

Then go for a linux hosting account with apache server, should have PHP5

this sentence cleared a misconception. All this while I was under the impression that I need to go for Windows hosting since I am using Windows on my system...

Can you please throw some more light on why do u suggest Linux in this particular case
... why not windows hosting?
and if I use a linux hosting plan on a Windows system what are the probable problems I might have to face considering that I have absolutely no knowledge of Linux?

I read some problems are encountered with FTP ..

Thanks again.

[daveVk]

Apache is the dominant server, and in my option the best, unless you need support for ASP or other ms oddities, it will run on wide range of hardware and operating systems.

With apache on a shared host the operating system is all but invisible to you. Most plans offer cpanel this is your main interface to the server, linux knowledge is not required.

While PHP is largely portable, apache/linux may be assumed in some of the code.

Not aware of any FTP issues.

If not sure, go for a "free trial" plan.

[NeilsPHP]

naiquevin,
just to get basics cleared first,
apache---is a web server (can be used for either windows or Linux)

IIS- microsoft windows web server

windows & linux --operating systems
php--you can get on either windows or linux

shared hosting--means many websites hosted on single machine (which can have any of above)

The best and dominant solution today is Linux operating system,apache web server with PHP 5 (There are many security and cost benefits)

hope it helps