PHP verses ASP

[newbee32]

undefinedundefinedHi everyone! I am interested in starting an online dating/matchmaking service. I have seen scripts in both ASP and PHP. I am new to both languages. Here's my question......in order to have a matchmaking site which functions properly, is it better to go with ASP or PHP? Which give my members better performance? I would appreciate any general info/advice. Thanks!

[cubsfan]

It's best to have a script that works. Whether it's PHP or ASP probably doesn't matter much since you don't know either. You should see good performance out of either, there are large sites running both.

Without starting a flame war, my personal pref is PHP, primarily because I like something that is cross platform.

[newbee32]

Thanks so much for the info cubsfan. Let me ask one more thing if you don't mind. When I install a PHP script.............. Once I get the initial bugs worked out, does it usually run smoothly after that? Or is it possible for new bugs to be popping up later? I've heard that PHP languages are updated periodically & every time that happens I need to update my codes also. Is this true? Can you recommend any sites online where someone new like myself can learn about PHP & how it functions?

Also, I've heard that in order to support a large user base it's important to get a dedicated server , or at least start with a host which offers a large bandwith, and has a C panel. Can you recommend a good host?

Thanks! :)

[newbee32]

Sorry guys.........one more question........

If I'm using a PHP script would you recommend a Unix server or Linux? or other?

[cubsfan]

Thanks so much for the info cubsfan. Let me ask one more thing if you don't mind. When I install a PHP script.............. Once I get the initial bugs worked out, does it usually run smoothly after that? Or is it possible for new bugs to be popping up later? I've heard that PHP languages are updated periodically & every time that happens I need to update my codes also. Is this true?

Can you recommend any sites online where someone new like myself can learn about PHP & how it functions?

http://www.php.net is the first place to start. http://www.phpbuilder.com is another good site with a lot of community support.

Also, I've heard that in order to support a large user base it's important to get a dedicated server , or at least start with a host which offers a large bandwith, and has a C panel. Can you recommend a good host?

I can't unfortunately, I host my own systems so I've never needed to look for a provider.

[cubsfan]

Thanks so much for the info cubsfan. Let me ask one more thing if you don't mind. When I install a PHP script.............. Once I get the initial bugs worked out, does it usually run smoothly after that? Or is it possible for new bugs to be popping up later? I've heard that PHP languages are updated periodically & every time that happens I need to update my codes also.

Forgot this part. No that's not true. PHP has always been very backward compatible. Most scripts that will run on 4.x will run on 3.x and vice versa. 5.x is a new beast and there are some compatibility issues, a lot with security and configuration IIRC. I've not used 5.x too much yet.

[cubsfan]

Sorry guys.........one more question........

If I'm using a PHP script would you recommend a Unix server or Linux? or other?

Use what you are comfortable using.

Or are you speaking of a hosting provider? From that perspective it doesn't matter much either way. My linux systems run uninterrupted for months and years at a time, so I don't think reliability is a question.

[newbee32]

Cubsfan,
Thanks for helping out a newbe. This is all good information! :D