ASP.net or PHP

philologos

Which is better in you're opinion ASP.net or PHP and post your reason why.

I like PHP because it works on nearly all platforms, (Unix, Mac OS X, Windows),
I also like PHP because of the huge documentation it comes with...

Mutant_Fruit

PHP

I like ASP.NET because of this: http://www.mono-project.com/Supported_Platforms and of course the bucketloads of documentation available on MSDN and/or Mono itself

Evil Phil

Depends on the situation and the circumstances. In house skills, external development resources and existing infrastructure are important factors when starting a development project (as are a host of other things). An organisation employing php developers isn't going to look for a .Net solution, they'll go with php. Alternatively an organisation that has invested in an MS infrastructure will probably go with a .Net solution. If you're support staff all know vb.net you won't be looking at a php solution either. It's impossible to say which language is better than another imho. Its more important to find which solution is best suited to a given problem.

That being said I like asp.net mahself.

Ph3n0m

I like PHP because as a complete non-programmer, etc it was very easy to get into, plus the amount of support, documents, classes, work already done - makes my life very easy

egan007

PHP
PHP
PHP
PHP
PHP
PHP
No competition

You really want something that works on all browsers
asp targets IE and windows users.

Evil Phil

While I won't argue that php is the more browser non-specific language. Asp.net is far more open to other browsers than classic asp was. With the exception of the validation controls but you're not forced to use them.

That being said I'll stick with my original point, the best solution really depends on the problem.

Draupnir

PHP suffers from a lack of Object Orientation which is offered by ASP.NET using C# or VB.Net

However, PHP has extensive libraries and a lot of other users to help you with problems.

As Phil said, the situation decides the language aswell as the resources available. PHP solutions are far cheaper to produce, host and support.

stevenmu

Evil Phil wrote:

While I won't argue that php is the more browser non-specific language. Asp.net is far more open to other browsers than classic asp was. With the exception of the validation controls but you're not forced to use them.

And 2 is even better than 1.1 was.



I don't know much about PHP (I think it'd be more similar in structure to classic ASP ?) so I'll just list some of then things I like about ASP.Net, ignore any that apply to PHP aswell

• Viewstate
• Fully objet orientated
• Rich .Net API
• Good inbuilt server controls
• Easy to create custom or composite server controls
• Gridviews (I know I already mentioned controls but the GridView deserves a mention in it's own right)
• Inbuilt support for master pages
• Precompiling and caching of code
• Visual Studio (especially the interactive runtime debugging )
• Share code with your windows or device applications

I would have to agree with Evil Phil aswell though, different solutions for different problems.

GoneShootin

Draupnir wrote:

PHP suffers from a lack of Object Orientation

PHP5 changing that though. Getting there....

Evil Phil

stevenmu wrote:

• Gridviews (I know I already mentioned controls but the GridView deserves a mention in it's own right)

Yeah, I used to be very anti-databinding (thanks to classic vb) but the Gridview really does rock.

Draupnir

GoneShootin wrote:

PHP5 changing that though. Getting there....

Looks interesting but the ' -> ' operator will always be a huge downfall of the language, how hard is that to read!

muckwarrior

PHP

ASP.NET all the way! Mainly because .NET is a proper application development framework. The last project I done I created a class library for the core application functionality which meant that a lightweight ASP.NET web UI could be built seperately and also left me with the option of creating a Windows UI to the same application.

I'm now using JSF on my current project and I must say it really sucks ass compared to ASP.NET (OK I know that's nothin to do with PHP but it has to be said!). Oh and another reason is VS.NET. It really is untouchable as far as IDE's go.

philologos

in terms of web development which is better though, I know everyone is saying oh yeah ASP.net easy to create into a program. Another question for you ASP.net guys that i'm looking for an answer to is it very difficult to use ASP.net with other database options apart from MSSQL or Access or is that just me?

Mutant_Fruit

PHP

Well, you have ODBC support aswell. I've accessed some IP.21 and Batch.21 databases using that. MySql and Oracle are also some popular choices.

muckwarrior

PHP

Well even for pure web development ASP.NET comes out on top IMO. The server webcontrols such as the aforementioned gridview or even the old datagrid are just brilliant, and makes a developers life so much easier. I must admit that I don't have a lot of experience writing PHP, but anybody I know that has extensivley used both favours ASP.NET.

As for the database thing, I had to convert a project to use MySQL instead of SQL server and the only problems I ran into were with the SQL queries.

rogue-entity

For me it will always be PHP5, undoubtidly the de-facto web scripting language, and the same language that drives Invision Powerboards which is IMHO the best forum system in existance. While I have heard good about VB.net and C#, it is still a Microsoft technology and therefore is not very friendly with Linux and BSD, the dominant Server OSs.

If I was designing web apps myself I would still use PHP, but if it was for a customer, then what the customer wants, s/he gets. In the end of the day, my opinion wont count for much but I will still try and push L.A.M.P(HP).

democrates

PHP.
Look at the steller array of community code and help out there. Huge powerful applications available from blogs to cms's to wbt and vast amounts of plug-in's for many of them. Also a growing number of frameworks with all sorts of built-in libraries to speed development.

I've also worked with asp and having to code up an array sort function and db abstraction library was astounding. No doubt asp.net has sorted this, but that architecture reminds me of ejb, it's trying to be a one-size-fits-all development stack, a sprawling mutating beast, and I specialise in Internet technologies so there's tons of irrelevant stuff I don't need, all overhead, and geared to steer you and/or your customers into licence fees somewhere along the line. Kinda their goal I guess, but a distasteful game I enjoy the freedom to avoid.

Mutant_Fruit

PHP

rogue-entity wrote:

While I have heard good about VB.net and C#, it is still a Microsoft technology and therefore is not very friendly with Linux and BSD, the dominant Server OSs.

I think this was the first link i posted in this thread...

Raskolnikov

PHP

I prefer PHP, but if I actually want to put some food on the table, ASP.net is the way to go.

GiantCranes

PHP

ASP.NET for me.

I haven't yet worked with a better development tool than Visual Studio.NET.

ASP.NET and the .NET framework being object oriented is very nice, and the web services support is good (WSE 3.0).

philologos

Raskolnikov wrote:

I prefer PHP, but if I actually want to put some food on the table, ASP.net is the way to go.

food on the table??

muckwarrior

PHP

Jakkass wrote:

food on the table??

I think he means that .NET developers are generally paid better.

DOLEMAN

ASP.NET simply for the following...

I've been a PHP programmer for about 7 years. The standard of PHP code out there is AWFUL. It seems people who have no programming skills use PHP. It's their learning experience.

ASP.NET programmers tend to be "professional" programmers who know what they're doing already...

democrates

DOLEMAN wrote:

ASP.NET simply for the following...

I've been a PHP programmer for about 7 years. The standard of PHP code out there is AWFUL. It seems people who have no programming skills use PHP. It's their learning experience.

ASP.NET programmers tend to be "professional" programmers who know what they're doing already...

I know where you're coming from, a lot of companies use ms and in these environments there will be some corporate polish (I used to have to get all code audited by programming section before it went live). To make sure the company doesn't depend on any one programmer and to ensure quality strict standards are enforced. Also there are a lot of courses both third level and in the private sector for ms, (and java) delivering good practice, fewer for php.

A lot of the php 'out there' is by people doing it off their own bat, and since many are self-taught inevitably some of it won't adhere to any standard. But in the big applications good standards are employed, also there are plenty of books available so it's no problem to be a good php programmer if you want to, the quality is out there too.

Personally I'm not affected by the existance of poor programmers regardless of the language, and as an entrepreneur focussed on web portal development, php, indeed lamp, is the right choice for me. If I were an employee or IT contractor it would be unwise to limit my skillset, I'd need to keep up to date on a range of platforms. But being able to focus on one means I have more time to go into greater depth and push the envelope in the solutions I produce.

philologos

democrates wrote:

A lot of the php 'out there' is by people doing it off their own bat, and since many are self-taught inevitably some of it won't adhere to any standard. But in the big applications good standards are employed, also there are plenty of books available so it's no problem to be a good php programmer if you want to, the quality is out there too

I'm afraid I fit into that category (that is if it's a bad idea)... I'm 17 at the minute and I'm working on my own forum community site with it. I have a huge interest in computers and I hope to do Computer Science at a later stage. I'm learning more and more with PHP at the minute though

GiantCranes

PHP

If you are interested in trying out ASP.NET here are some great resources:

www.asp.net
Some good into videos
http://www.dotnetkicks.com/ (my own site)

I built the following site in ASP.NET:

http://kick.ie/ The AJAX is using provided by the AJAX.NET

philologos

I reckon i'd need a windows server to use ASP.net, meh could ask Hosting365 to move it if i really wanted to learn

Kernel32

PHP

I've been working with Microsoft technologies for the most part for the past 10 years or so. I'm very comfortable with them. I've been on .Net since beta 1 and it has made a very nice living for me, so I voted ASP.Net.

I have nothing against PHP, I simply have never used it, nor needed too, or ever really intend to unless there is a valid reason. Being able to develop for multiple operating systems means nothing to me at this point in my career. With the current rate of advancement in virtualization technology at a hardware and software level, multiple OS development environments will be irrelevant in 10 years.

democrates

Jakkass wrote:

I'm afraid I fit into that category (that is if it's a bad idea)... I'm 17 at the minute and I'm working on my own forum community site with it. I have a huge interest in computers and I hope to do Computer Science at a later stage. I'm learning more and more with PHP at the minute though

Fair play to you. I started coding in basic and then z80 assembler thanks to Clive Sinclair, it was only through formal education and work experience with corporate systems that I really took it to the next level. Nowadays the web provides the keys to the kingdom, you can go from zero knowledge to leading edge if you are so inclined.

I've been learning php myself but the good news is most programming skills you develop are transportable to a new mainstream language, so it's primarily just new syntax, though there are important differences. One way to learn good techniques is by downloading leading free applications and looking through their code. Some of them can be awkward to follow because of code re-use, but you can still see code that solves problems and you can do likewise in your own projects. A good book strong on best practice is indespensible, as is the php manual. Good luck and enjoy.

democrates

Kernel32 wrote:

With the current rate of advancement in virtualization technology at a hardware and software level, multiple OS development environments will be irrelevant in 10 years.

I'm very excited about virtualisation. Though much of the media coverage focusses on data centre applications, I want it so I don't have to select Ubuntu or XP at boot time on one of my workstations. My cup will runeth over as I pray stacks will not.

I think virtualisation virtually:o guarantees that there'll be multiple operating systems in 10 years time, even Microsoft has had to pledge support for Linux in order to get into the market (just as they've had to pledge support for opendoc as again their large customers want them to be interoperable with the rest of the market).

I'd support Xen, OpenVS or etc as a floss fan, but one important thing in this whole MS conflagration is that the floss community would be nowhere near as vibrant and innovative if it weren't for the big bad wolves, and visa versa. Something in our nature seems to thrive on threat, and to our great benefit in this sphere.

Anyway as an internet app developer it's the code and database that are key to me, that's what my time goes into, if the web server and os have to change underneath, my apps can still run, lamp, wamp, wimp, I'm there if the customer needs it. I guess eating is lower down Maslows Hierarchy than floss principles.

Edit: forgot to say I agree that v12n and also platform-independant languages mean the os may become transparent to developers. Is it possible to compile .net app source to jvm bytecode yet?

mewso

PHP

I am biased of course as a .Net developer for the last so many years. I agree that you should chose whatever you prefer as your chosen server side platform but for crying out loud at least look at both options. So many php users go on and on about lower costs, great community. Yada yada. Great community for .Net out there too amazingly enough also with some great open source apps. Cheap hosting available too would you believe (I have an Asp.Net 2.0 site with SQL Server 2005 paying $1.99 a month). Guess what free development software too.
I'm not saying .Net is perfect. I have many issues with it and get very annoyed with the lip service MS pay to web standards etc. but they have improved this development tech. so much over the years I have to give them the nod.