Selecting the Best Web Design Language for Your Project
If you'd like to create and publishyour own web site on the Internet, your first step should be to decide what type of web site you would like to create and what web design language you would like to use.
Although there are several web design languages to choose from,make sure you take some time toresearch your options toensure you're making the best choice foryour project.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
The easiest and most popular web design language is HypertextMarkup Language, better known as HTML. This language is so simple you can type the syntax into a text editor, such as Notepad, save it with an .html extension and instantly have a web page.
You can learn more about HTML here:
http:// www.w3schools.co m/html/
Although HTML will enable you tocreate simple web sites, if you want something more dynamic, you'll need to look into using other languages:
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP)
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, better known as PHP, is a highly popular, server-side scripting language that can be embedded directly into HTML coding.
PHP can do anything that CGI (Common Gateway Interface) cando, such as process form dataand auto generate dynamic content. However, PHP can do much more. It can be used on all major operating systems and supports most web servers.
PHP's main focus is development for the web, so it has a quick development time and can solve scenarios much quicker than some of the other web design languages.
You can learn more about PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor here:
http:// www.php.net/
ColdFusion
ColdFusion, developed by Macromedia, is used to build and serve web pages. It consists of ColdFusion Studio, which is used to create web pages, and ColdFusion Server, which is used to display the web pages.
One of the best features of ColdFusion is the ability to createweb pages 'on the fly' from content stored within a database.
For example, a variety of contentcan be placed within a database as 'pieces of content.' When a user types in the web address toretrieve the web page, ColdFusion dynamically develops the pages, from the 'pieces of content,' as they are served.
Although it is very reliable, ColdFusion may be better suited for larger companies rather thanindividuals, as it is fairly expensive.
You can learn more about ColdFusion here:
http:// macromedia.com/ support/ coldfusion/ tutorial_index.h tml
Java Server Pages (JSP)
Java Server Pages, also known as JSP, is a web design languagedevelop ed by Sun Microsystems. It is used to control web page content via servlets, which are little programs that run on a web server. These servlets modify theweb page on the server prior to it being displayedwithin a web browser.
The JSP technology enables you to combine regular, static HTML with dynamically generated HTML.
You can learn more about Java Server Pages here:
http:// java.sun.com/ products/jsp/ docs.html
Active Server Pages (ASP)
Active Server Pages, also knownas ASP, is Microsoft's solution to dynamic, interactive web pages.
Active Server Pages are web pages that contain scripts in addition to the standard HTML tags. These scripts are processedprior to a web page being displayed within a web browser.
Unlike standard HTML pages thathave an .html or .htm extension, Active Server Pages have an.asp extension.
An advantage of ASP is that it islanguage-inde pendent and therefore is easy to use across all platforms and applications. It isvery flexible and powerful, yetsome people don't like it merely because it is a Microsoft product.
You can learn more about ActiveServer Pages here:
http:// msdn.microsoft.c om/library/ en-us/dnasp/ html/ asptutorial.asp
Conclusion
With so many different web design languages to choose from,which is the best languagefor your project? That will depend onyour web site needs and how much time and/or money you're willing to invest.
If you want a simple web site with text and images, HTML is definitely the way to go. Not onlyis it easy to learn, but there are also many HTML editors available online that will write the code foryou.
Although HTML is usually the rightchoice for most, if you'd like yourweb site to be dynamic,you will need to research some of the other languages until youfind thebest solution for your project.
Take your time and do your homework before you begin. If you don't feel confident in your ability to create your own web site, hire a professional. It will save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run
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