coding 'small' programs - php or java?

[Makaveli2007]

Hey,

I want to be able to code things such as

- a program, that allows you to type in vocabulary (English & German word for example) and remember it to practice the language

- an online quizz

- polls (though, I think I'll only have to edit them, right?)

I'm a newbie to coding and dont want to get deeper into it than necessary at the moment (other than having done it with basic and pascal back in the day hehe)..so I really dont know...

Can I do all of this with basic php?
Can I do all of that with basic java?
Would I need both for those applications?

I'm thinking I should be able to do those things with PHP, but I'm not opposed to learning some java, either, in the long run...so what do you suggest? Probably just php for this stuff, right?

[ericjust]

PHP & MYSQL would work great and there are tons of beginner-level books out there.

[Makaveli2007]

I've seen some of them before, actually had borrowed a few from the library, but then had to hand them back because I was too busy learning about SEO, but I guess there still there ;-)

I'm a bit curious and never know what I might want to do in the long run..so I'm wondering: What other things would java allow me to do? I know it's a more powerful language, but if all I really plan on doing is creating tools & such (very simplistic ones in the beginning, maybe a bit more complicated ones in the long run) is PHP (& mySQL of course) really all I need?

[eelixduppy]

The documentation on PHP is magnificent and it is much easier to learn than Java. Both languages have their advantages, but PHP is more appropriate here, IMO. I'd say if you went the PHP route you'd be more than fine. You might even find some pre-made scripts. :)

Best of luck!

[Makaveli2007]

One last question guys: I know, I won't be doing this anytime soon, but would a solid background in PHP help me if I wanted to learn something like Java/C(++) later? I know they are probably a lot more complicated, but would there be any 'synergic effects'?

[spinnercee]

Java, C++ and PHP are languages -- and believe it or not, they all have similar programmatic syntax -- their difference is in their words (commands/functions).

Becoming proficient in one would make it easier to understand and become proficient in the others -- becoming proficient involves knowing the secrets and advantages of each, since they are used in different ways, on different platforms, for different interfaces, with different goals in mind.

All three languages also support high-level object-oriented class structures -- this is a different coding model that is beneficial to learn if you intend on making a living as a programmer.

[eelixduppy]

I started with c/c++ before I came over to PHP and the transition was pretty easy. As was mentioned, you just have to learn the different function names, etc... PHP.net has a list of all of them.

Java and c++ are much larger in terms of scale; if you want to "conquer" a language, php is much more "do-able" than something like java or c++. Learning c/c++ or learning php (or any other programming language for that matter) will prepare you to learn another. Once you have learned a few, the rest are cake :)

[Makaveli2007]

Hey guys,

thx for the answers. I don't plan on making a living as a programmer, it's more that I want to become good enough at one language to make stuff like tools for SEO / Internet Marketing.

Or well mostly some stuff for a language learning website and some other rather small 'programs'.

However, when I was in elementary I was totally crazy about coding in quick basic, pascal/visual basic (can I call that coding?lol) and did that for say 3 all day every day..So even though I don't plan on becoming an actual programmer in the short- or mid-term, you never know how I'll feel about it in a couple of years from now.

Maybe I'll take such a liking to coding again, that I'll want to get a more profound knowledge of it...plus maybe I'll see, that it'll be useful for making better websites..

that's why I was wondering, if becoming decent at one or the other would help me a great deal in mastering another one.

So, if I understood correctly: If somebody knows c or c++ it would be pretty easy for them to migrate to php, whereas migrating from php to c or c++ would mean, that one already knew part of c, c++, but would have to learn more stuff and learn new commands even though the syntax will stay mostly the same for the things one knows already?

[eelixduppy]

Yes, pretty much. No matter which you are migrating from you are going to have to learn new some new syntax and functions, and maybe a few new concepts. If you can get good roots in one, those roots will carry on to the other language. The order doesn't really matter; it's more about where your interests lie.

[Makaveli2007]

thx, I'm definitely gonna learn php then as that's all I'll really need in the near future.