Forum Moderators: mack
I've acquainted myself with html some time ago, and would like to move forward now. However, I find myself lost in the offers of web development tools. I haven't got a clue what PHP, ASP or all that other acronym mumbo jumbo do...
Anyone who can direct me to a site that gives a clear overview of tools and what they actually allow you to do?
Also, I would like to build an interactive online database, you know, one with limited access (login required) that allows external users to add and modify their own data, as well as consult other data. What tools would I need for that?
Thanks already for any guidance you may provide.
There are a host of new technologies available today for building web pages. To build interactive pages you'll need some type of scripting language like ASP, JSP, PhP, etc.
I like the tutorials for ASP at www.w3schools.com.
A good JSP tutorial can be found at the java site.
www.php.net has good information on PhP.
Each is a programming language, though not as complicated as C++. You'll have to learn.
For databases, there are mySQL as well other free ones. You can start with Access and move from there, but Access is not a real web ready database.
Savvy web folks are learning xml and web services like SOAP ;)
Nick
What is nice about ASP is that you can have an ASP page that has been requested by a user go and request things from the web server. For instance, if a user submitted a form requesting that the page display information from a database that was located on a server and show it in his browser, the server can query that info from the database and return it to the user's browser in pure HTML dynamically. Since it's pure HTML, the user will never see the code for all of the server stuff, but just the results.
Great technology and getting better with ASP.NET.
I can't think of any one in particular though it would be a good topic for a new website.
The way I learned (and continue to learn) is by doing a lot of reading. Some books may be able to give you a broad-brush overview as well. The most likely website I can think of is O'Reilly's (www.oreilly.com).
One thing that perhaps might make your situation a bit easier, is that you just have to make a choice between Microsoft and the rest of the world (popularly speaking). If you prefer to go with Microsoft, ASP is what you need.
On the other hand, if you prefer to use Apache/Linux (as most do) then go for PHP.
This simple rule of thumb narrows it down to one choice. And really, your example with the database can be made using both languages. In fact most things can. None of these two languages are significantly harder to learn than the other.
>> Technically speaking
... anything that does not need compiling before it runs is a scripting language, imho ;)
What is nice about ASP is that you can have an ASP page that has been requested by a user go and request things from the web server
I would argue that open source is poorly documented I found unbelievable number of resources on the web - I also tried once to get help from microsoft - reply was an automated message saing that they do not help with specifics and I should contact specialist although I asked general question.
Couple months ago I faced the same problem (choosing technology) and I chosen PHP and MySql.
My reasons:
- security - well not much explanation needed, other than ASP is a microsoft technology and need to be hosted on windows.
- price - at every step of development it is cheaper than ASP. Starts from getting it, learning, getting help, employing programmers, hosting, security - all of them will be cheaper with PHP.
- avaliability of learning and debugging resources.
That was pretty enough for me.
I'm the biggest fan of M$ in the world, but in this particular case I would head for PHP. It is easier to learn, easier to implement and offers almost anything anyone could ask for, unusual requirements can usually be met with simple add-ons.
A google search for PHP will be a good starting place. About.com has some tutorials for beginnners worth taking a look at, but as you grow in knowledge the dedicated PHP forums are the places where you will want to hang out.
There are several great PHP forums with some great people who will generally help anyone with anything.
A book or two from the library or the local bookstore wouldn't be a bad idea either. Try out the simple stuff first and then build on it.
Within a month you will be able to write a script to handle a complex database driving unlimited web pages :)
PHP is another option I would recomend. Also easy to implement and very powerful.
Both have places you can go online to learn how to use them.
