[thelist] Developing for Multiple Platforms

[Javier Muniz]

PHP is very good for cross-compatibility between the Windows/Linux/UNIX/Mac
worlds, although Perl and JSP technically could achieve the same thing, in
my experience Perl is a little clumsy when it comes to web development (I
haven't used perl for web development in almost 4 years, so things may have
changed since then), and the problem with JSP is that rather than having to
select a platform you now have to select an application server.

However, most IT shops, especially in midsized companies, have an IT person
that is capable of writing simple visual basic apps or scripts.  In a
perfect world this person would be able to interface their programs/scripts
with your code without having to learn the language that your application
was written in.  As a result, if you're looking at developing a
"shrinkwrapped" system that's easy to deploy and at the same time very
flexible, you may want to consider implementing key features via a SOAP
webservice.  Be careful when doing this, as there are serious security
concerns, but when properly implemented web services can allow you (and your
customers!) to do amazing things with your technology.

Hope this helps!

-Javier

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Roberto [mailto:evolt at shriek.net] 
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 9:43 AM
To: thelist at lists.evolt.org
Subject: Re: [thelist] Developing for Multiple Platforms


I must not have explained myself well enough.  Let me try to clarify.

I have several web apps which have been built in CF.  In the future we can
see the benefit of having these apps available in other languages.  The
benefits of simply plugging in our app with a client's web platform is a big
plus, and a nice selling point for that matter.  Although CF does run on
multiple platforms, the cost of an open source solution versus CF is a big
plus.

What languages should we develop these apps in to then offer our product on
the most number of platforms.  We're not looking to re-build these apps in
ASP, PHP, PERL, JSP, and every other language out there.  We would like to
make a choice based on the fewest languages which would fit the majority of
web server setups.

We initially thought of PHP.  It runs on windows and unix and its free. How
does PHP compare to CF in terms of web development?  What languages would
you recommend if you were going to build a web app for multiple platforms?

Mike

On 10/16/03 7:08 AM, "rudy" <rudy937 at rogers.com> wrote:

>> What would you go with to offer a "complete package" for multiple 
>> platforms?  We initially thought of PHP, for the obvious 
>> compatibility and open source benefits.
> 
> obvious compatibility?
> 
> if i'm a CF or ASP or JSP or FooBar shop, i don't see how PHP is 
> compatible
> 
> open source?
> 
> if i've got a staff of support technicians trained in CF or ASP or JSP 
> or FooBar, then it really doesn't matter that you can mess with the 
> source code of PHP, all i see is the expense of bringing more people 
> on board to support YAT (yet another technology)
> 
> if you're going to market a "complete package" you should offer 
> separate versions for each platform, not try to sell everybody the 
> same one
> 
> 
> rudy


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