Why PHP and MySQL
Web Developers have tons of server-side scripting tools to choose from. Basically, these tools can be grouped into three major categories: a) Microsoft-based, b) Java-based, and c) LAMP-based (LAMP has come to mean Linux, Apache, PHP, Perl and Python.) Anyone wanting to develop a web-based application eventually has to decide which camp he should jump.
My reason for choosing PHP and MySQL over the other scripting languages when developing my web-based projects are the following:
- Open-source roots. A large pool of talented software professionals have shared their talents in developing these remarkable software bundles that many have come to benefit. Their source code is available FREE for anyone to study, tweak and hack (in the good sense of the term).
- Inexpensive. There is no denying it, nothing beats LAMP-stack in terms of price.
- Lots of Quality Scripts Available. Wordpress is the best example of this. There are other smaller scripts and libraries that you can freely use in your web applications.
- Code Maintenance. PHP has features that promote modularity and maintainability of your code.
- Raw Speed. MySQL can go head-to-head with Oracle when it comes to speed. PHP-Engine is also fast at parsing and interpreting the PHP code.
- Easy To Learn. PHP belongs to the all-too-familiar curly braces languages. Once you are knowledgeable in any of these languages (C/C++, C#, and Java), PHP should be easy for you.
There are few factors we need to consider before choosing PHP+MySQL. Some says it’s about preferences which is true. PHP+MySQL also runs on Windows which give PHP an advantage. But, I think it depends on the programmers skills and the level of comfort. I’m a Microsoft guy, I work in a large company here in Irvine,CA as .NET Software Engineer. Our Web servers are running on Windows 2003 and IIS 6, and most of the programmers are very comfortable working with .NET so that’s why we prefered ASP.NET+MSSQL/Oracle.
Anyway, kamusta na ang Davao? I’m from Cebu.
Just my 1 cent contribution.
Dexter
Hi Dexter,
Nice to hear from my kababayan.
First about Davao. It’s still a good place to live. I’ve seen a lot of improvements in the city past couple of months.
I’m not really religious when it comes to development tools or platforms. You see, I’m using PHP and MySQL, but my development platform is Windows and, in many some occassions, I use Eclipse IDE, which is a pure Java Application.
And just when I thought ColdFusion is about to fade away, there is MySpace taking it to new heights.
It’s funny, I like PHP for the reasons I mentioned above, but I’m also well aware of its flaws and limitations.
Thanks for dropping by and I must tell you like your websites. I’ll keep visiting them.