guidance on 2 web projects

[9ball]

I need some guidance on the following projects;

1. How to create an online testing service, where users can sign in and take some tests online (multiply choice only). I am thinking web forms front end, asp or jsp ??? And Sql backend, app server maybe? OR some canned software with little modification.

2. How to create an online document repository, users can store their documents online, able to create folders and maybe search functions. Site server maybe?

I am more of windows guy, but would like to hear any and all suggestions you guys may have

THANKS

 

[joinT]

you could do both projects with the same script. PHP is pretty easy to manage documents/files. Though ASP/JSP could easily do the same & they all could manage your first project.

i would go with MySQL, Postgres or SQL server if you're having online tests - since there could potentially be a lot of people using the form/site at the same time. Access might not handle it so well.

 

[WarmAndSCSI]

ASP or CFML would be the best solution. If you don't want to purchase all of the software and hardware required, my org will gladly host it on our servers (link to website in sig). Just sign up for hosting via the ordering page and we'll get you setup on the webserver which is used for high-load and high-content websites.

 

[Wizkid]

1. ASP/JSP/PHP all are good choices. CFML would probably work but you would be better off spending your $1000 elsewhere. I prefer PHP b/c it's powerful, fast and free; however, you are best using whatever you (or your programmer) knows best! You definitely need a database... I agree with joinT's suggestions.

2. It would be pretty easy to do that with PHP. You need to be careful though, because you don't want people uploading malicious files and executing them on your server. To make searching easier you might want to have a database with the file names, locations, descriptions, etc.. This will be way faster than manually searching the filesystem (for complex queries anyways).

BTW - I wouldn't suggest you host with a company that can't even manage to host their own website at a decent speed

 

[Superwormy]

PHP will make that DAMN easy to do. MySQL.

PHP is great, its very easy to pick up and VERY powerful. You can do all kindsa crazy arse crap with it.

 

[9ball]

Thank you all for the suggestions, I think PHP and MySQL will be a lot cheaper in terms of software licenses. Can you suggest some good books (or website) on these topics (beginner to intermediate) Thanks again, I really appreciate the help

 

[joinT]

Originally posted by: TheUnhappyCamper
ASP or CFML would be the best solution. If you don't want to purchase all of the software and hardware required, my org will gladly host it on our servers (link to website in sig). Just sign up for hosting via the ordering page and we'll get you setup on the webserver which is used for high-load and high-content websites.

I really don't think it's cool pushing software that requires licensing to therefore market your hosting company. Cold Fusion completely rocks - but the license is too expensive for casual/personal work. It also makes hosting more expensive - you can easily get really cheap hosting that offers PHP & MySQL.

PHP.net is where I'd start 9ball. Or, if u would like to give cold fusion a try - I have the installer for an older free version called Cold Fusion express. It doesn't support some important things like sessions though

 

[9ball]

Thanks joinT, I am looking at php.net right now and it does seem easy. my company has the bandwidth and server to host this, I just need to code the stuff