For basic web applications, what are the pros and cons of PHP/MySQL versus Java servelets/JSPs/JDBC and related Java technologies?
Hey Mark. One key factor that we always use for any technology is the hiring factor. Which of the two will be easier to fill a position. How many programmer's are out there that know Java Servlets/JSP as opposed to PHP? PHP is pretty cool, it is fully OOP, however, I think there are much more Java programmer's out there.
I think of all the technologies out there for Web based development and especially server side development, Servlets/JSP and
EJB's are the most used.
Now for Client Server type application, I waver. I am a rich client type guy, so I want my development
IDE to be able to make really cool GUI's and anything I want. I don't want to be limited by the technology. If you have the ability to keep all the users in one OS, then that helps determine which language. Meaning if the clients are all Window's clients, then your best choice is VB, forget about Anti-Microsoft thoughts. VB just has the Windows Development market covered. Yes you can also use Visual C++, but again I say that you end up making it a little more difficult to hire other people down the road. Java Swing I still feel isn't quite there for fast Rich Clients. However if you are using X-Windows, or even Macintosh, it might work for you.
Personally, I would love to use Java everywhere.
Just my 2 cents.
Mark