I'm prepared to use a number

Abhishek Reddy — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:52:00 +0000

I'm prepared to use a number of languages and systems. I'm not terribly fond of comprehensive frameworks (they work sometimes, not always). What I look for in a basic stack is: a dynamic language, a native HTTP server, a native DSL for markup output, and a data store module.

For example, a Ruby stack I'd use is Mongrel, Markaby and DataMapper or Sequel; or merb. With Python, I might use Twisted, Nevow (particularly Stan), and Dejavu. With Lisp, I use Hunchentoot, cl-who (customised), and Elephant. Recently, I've been experimenting with Compojure for Clojure.

My preference is to live inside one runtime per site – screened behind a proxy – each using internal DSLs for the various concerns. This isn't appropriate for all situations, however. It's best for the small-scale apps that I develop, with a small team – if any. So I'd happily use a big framework, external templates, or attach to Apache, if needed.

This is partly what makes it difficult to drop PHP. There's a big leap in initial complexity, especially in deployment configurations, and the diversity of modules and libraries to learn, test and maintain. PHP, in contrast, gives you a one-size-fits-all Plattenbau architecture.

The main constraints dictating the choice of system are: what the host provides, budgets or deadlines, and legacy applications. There are ways to deal with each of these, but invariably one or the other is a fixed condition in favour of PHP.

Out of interest: what would

JeevesBond — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:46:11 +0000

Out of interest: what would you use in place of PHP for a Web application. Python + Pylons/Django?

At least one person has

pr0gr4mm3r — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:57:53 +0000

At least one person has already dumped PHP because of the choice.

Meh, there hasn't been anything I wanted in a web application that PHP couldn't handle. I don't see what everyone's problem is.

I\'d ask, what could

Abhishek Reddy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:42:00 +0000

I\'d ask, what could possibly go wrong\?

As someone who began jumping the PHP failboat a couple of years ago, I must say, it's a long drop till you hit the water.