I want to make some scripts for a website, and my background is only C, so I need to learn a scripting language. PHP seems to be the most popular, except I've heard from some forums like slashdot that Ruby is much better. However I'm afraid if I learn Ruby it will be harder to find people to help me should I have questions or problems with anything major.
I want to know whether I should go the tried-and-true Apache MySQL PHP approach, knowing that I'll be able to get help easily and can even pay someone to help with parts of the coding if it comes to that, or I should go the Ruby on Rails approach and learn a language that many people consider superior, but that is far less common.
Also I am wondering if anyone has ever used or has any opinions about XAMPP (http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html#641), which is apparently an easy way to install AMP.
Also I was wondering what the benefits and drawbacks of using a Linux versus XP installation of AMP are. Is there some kind of licensing fee for usnig AMP on XP or something? Why does everyone use Linux?
Finally if anyone has any good book suggestions on any of these topics, I would love to hear them.
Thanks for your suggestions!
I want to know whether I should go the tried-and-true Apache MySQL PHP approach, knowing that I'll be able to get help easily and can even pay someone to help with parts of the coding if it comes to that, or I should go the Ruby on Rails approach and learn a language that many people consider superior, but that is far less common.
Also I am wondering if anyone has ever used or has any opinions about XAMPP (http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html#641), which is apparently an easy way to install AMP.
Also I was wondering what the benefits and drawbacks of using a Linux versus XP installation of AMP are. Is there some kind of licensing fee for usnig AMP on XP or something? Why does everyone use Linux?
Finally if anyone has any good book suggestions on any of these topics, I would love to hear them.
Thanks for your suggestions!