PHP vs ASP

PHP vs. ASP

When it comes to cost and expenses, ASP programs need to run on Windows with IIS installed on the server. You need to purchase both of these components in order for ASP to work. On the other hand, a PHP would only require running on a Linux server, which you can get at no cost.

PHP is very flexible when it comes to database connectivity. It can connect to several databases of which the most commonly used is MySQL. Note that there is no cost to use MySQL. But, if you were to use ASP, you need to purchase MS-SQL, which is a Microsoft product.

Loading speed is a big factor in maintaining a website. If you are particular about speed, then you need to go with PHP. PHP code runs much quicker than ASP because it runs in its very own memory space. However, ASP uses an overhead server and uses a COM based architecture.

In working with PHP, most tools associated with the program are mostly open source software, so you do not need to pay for them. For ASP, you might need to buy additional tools to work with its programs.

Both PHP and ASP have its own advantages and disadvantages. It depends on which part of developing a website you are most concerned with. Are you worried about the cost of creating your website? Do you want to use a programming language that you are more familiar with? Do you want a more stable and faster website? Choosing between ASP and PHP depends on your own personal preference. Involution Media can do both.

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Reasons To Use ASP

Although ASP is not as simple to learn as PHP, it is commonly used by larger corporations for the following reasons:

• ASP is compatible with all Microsoft applications, which are extremely popular in the online corporate world. Therefore corporations use this development tool to make business transactions smoother, as everyone tends to use Microsoft based applications.
• Most larger corporations are already running a wide variety of Microsoft programs, so their employees are already trained in the Microsoft environment. Therefore training costs are diminished.
• As most large corporations used Microsoft based databases, selling a corporation is easier when the business databases are already compatible with the benefactor’s. Being able to easily integrate with new systems is an important part of acquiring a new business.

Small and medium sized businesses also choose to run ASP for the above reasons. Many smaller businesses are also in the habit of using Microsoft based applications, which also makes ASP a necessity for them. Attempting to use Microsoft application data with a PHP-based web site is considered quite difficult, and is generally avoided. Therefore the main reason to choose ASP would be it’s simple compatibility with all Microsoft products.

Reasons to Use PHP

Many programmers and developers prefer PHP, as it is extremely simple to use in comparison to ASP. PHP carries more features, and lets developers create database driven sites with very little effort. Users can also create dynamic web pages, full of rich content, as PHP is open source and can be modified and expanded by any willing developer. Many developers that use Linux and MySQL also enjoy using PHP. Web developers generally prefer PHP for the following reasons.

• PHP has a very short learning curve, and any novice can learn how to use it based on the plethora of educational information found online. Since PHP is so popular among independent developers, there’s an endless amount of instructional material to be found online, including video tutorials, manuals, and heavily-populated programmer forums.
• Web hosts are increasingly offering support for PHP, which makes it easy to find a cost efficient and suitable web host that is compatible with PHP run websites.
• PHP is compatible with many kinds of servers, whereas ASP is only compatible with Microsoft servers.

Other Differences

Unlike ASP, PHP uses its own unique programming syntax and language. The PHP language is extremely simple in comparison to ASP programming language. The PHP parsing engine was specifically designed to make programming easy. ASP uses a programming language called VBS (Visual Basic Script), which was on the verge of extinction before it was revived by Microsoft. The VBS programming language is considered primitive and more difficult to use than PHP.

Conclusion

In the end, the winner of PHP vs. ASP can only be decided by the developer. If you’re looking for a development tool that is simple to use and compatible with multiple servers, then PHP would be your choice. If you need a development tool that offers guaranteed compatibility with all Microsoft applications, then your choice should be ASP.