If you wanted to build a web based database system and you are given two alternatives to use: PHP with Mysql or ASP.NET with SQL Server, which would you choose and why. Also are there any areas/sites/books you would recommend?
by 
r_jack
ANSWERS: 6
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My choice of those two would be ASP.NET and SQLServer (but I would rather have plain old ASP). It's really just personal preference; I prefer ASP because it uses VB-type syntax which I'm more familiar with, but if you've used C and its variants, you'd probably be happier with PHP. I feel that ASP has much better string-handling features, but, again, that's just opinion. The database layer is probably less important because both MySQL and SQLServer use fairly standard ANSI SQL; the main difference would be in the interface that your web host offers. AS it happens, my own host offers ChiliSoft ASP with MySQL. Wrox and McGraw are both excellent publishers for tutorials.
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There is really little to choose between them. By far the most important factor is your own experience - if you arfe already .NET trained, for example, stick with it. ASP.NET/SQL Server ties you into Windows; PHP/MySQL is portable between Windows and Unix (most flavours). If your website gets *really* big and *really* busy, you might want to consider moving to Unix, because Unix will get more bang for your hardware buck. But the difference is only relevant with huge, high load, databases.
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Some experts suggest that ASP.NET is part of the .NET Framework, the .NET Framework itself encampasses many technologies and that it likely to be the Microsot's next generation of Windows. Therefore that it is better to learn and practice in ASP.NET at this time and for the future. But is this a big reason why I should choose ASP.NET/SQL Server and not PHP/MySQL. Also other than platfrom support and for some one like me with some programming knowledge in just MS Access and Java but who wants to learn other technologies and develop a web based database system, are there any other specific features or capabilities like security, scalability, availability I should consider?
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As someone has said already, experience is a key factor. Retraining takes time and effort. However, if you are still learning, I wholeheartedly recommend the PHP/MySQL route. It is free software meaning that it is less likely to become obselete or superseded by the "next biggest thing" to come out of Redmond, it is completely free (!), you aren't tied down to a particular software/hardware platform and performance compared to the Microsoft route is better, hands down. It scales incredibly well (all of the biggest databases and web applications are running some form of GNU/Linux or similar) and the security is *unarguably* better. The likelihood of being hit with the next biggest piece of malware is far less likely too. Overall, I don't even consider ASP or .NET viable.
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is it cost an issue?
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Right away, I would tell you I'd use php and mysql without a doubt. Simply because php with mysql is just plain free and a whole lot easier to maintain than a Microsoft based solution. There are plenty of books available on both, but probably more on PHP/MySQL as it's more common. I know I'm not giving you both sides of the argument but this is just my opinion :)
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