Unlike HTML, CSS and JavaScript, which are lingua francas of the Internet, the heavy lifting of a website on the back end can be accomplished in a number of ways. Two of the most popular languages used to create dynamic websites are PHP and ColdFusion. Connecting to a database and manipulating the data contained within it is really the meaty part of web development. It’s also the main culprit responsible for most of the headaches associated with website building. PHP and Adobe ColdFusion are equally powerful and both have their merits, which makes the choice between the two a difficult decision.

The Popular PHP

PHP has the advantage of being extremely widespread and heavily used by all sorts of websites, typically being run in conjunction with an Apache HTTP server and a MySQL database. Thanks to its popularity, there’s a deep community of developers that one can draw on for support and advice when it comes to technical questions. In addition, PHP is a free and open source technology that doesn’t require the purchase of any expensive software or licenses. That having been said, it can be somewhat more difficult than other languages to pick up and work with if you’re used to using ASP.NET or Java.

ColdFusion – Perfect for Beginners

ColdFusion is an extremely attractive option for rapid prototyping and development of websites and applications. It’s also perfect for beginners who aren’t really programmers, as the language itself is fairly easy to pick up compared to PHP. ColdFusion integrates well with Flash frameworks like Flex, which is convenient when working on Rich Internet Applications or sites that are very media-heavy. ColdFusion sites also require less coding than PHP, while being nearly as versatile overall. The main drawback is that Adobe ColdFusion features a smaller community, so getting help with a project isn’t always as easy. Nowadays, a large number of web hosts feature coldfusion hosting so it’s not difficult to find a provider that suits your needs in terms of storage space and bandwidth.

Which One to Choose?

One could make the argument that PHP is a better choice if you need the leanest site possible and you’re working with limited resources in terms of hosting space. While web pages that use ColdFusion may have a bit more overhead and take up more space, the difference is made up for in the shorter development time required for complex sites. You can bang out applications and websites quickly with ColdFusion, without as much hassle. In any event, the choice is ultimately up to you or your web developer. Both PHP and ColdFusion are fine tools with which to create highly dynamic and interactive sites as long as you know what you’re doing.

Author: Anthony Sparks

Author’s Website: coldfusion hosting