Choosing a Server-Side Scripting Language

---

When it comes right down to it, the differences between the various server-scripting languages such as PHP, ColdFusion, and ASP are somewhat cosmetic. The syntax seems to be the main distinguishing factor for some developers. Developers with a programming background may find ASP comfortable, whereas skilled markup authors may find ColdFusion or PHP friendlier. Java developers might like Java Server Pages (JSP) while others might like Python or even Perl. Yet, in the end, all these server-parsed scripting technologies suffer from speed problems when compared to server-side modules. Furthermore, some of these technologies bring such significant complexity that the real benefit of using a scripting language is often lost. Cost is often mentioned as a selection criterion for choosing a server-side programming environment. ASP and PHP are considered free while others like ColdFusion or JSP typically do have some up-front server costs. However, total cost might include operating system costs, setup time, or increased development efforts. Choosing one language over another is rarely simple and often too religious for some Web developers. In short, it's important to keep an open mind when picking a server-side scripting language.

---