Tips for Choosing the Right Web Application Language

There are several things that you need to consider when you are creating any application on the computer and web based applications are no different. You need to think of the size, scalability, user platforms, and the language that you are going to use for your application. When it comes to being cross-platform capable, most of the web languages are fine for all machines. There is no difference in a flash application that runs on a Mac or the same one on a PC. When you choose a language, you need to look at what you need the application to do and how comfortable you are with using that application. This can also boil down to a matter of preference. Some people like Flash and only code in that language. To truly make your applications the best that they can be you need to go beyond the boundaries of comfort and code in a language that is "comfortable" for your program. There are many different applications out there that can be so much better if they were in a language that caters to that platform. Here is a look at some of the things that you need to consider when choosing the proper web application language for your program.

PHP

When it comes to a computer friendly language with a lot of power, you need look no further than PHP. This is a great language to code in if you need background programs that work on the server side. The problem with PHP is that people expect a lot from it. While the language can generate some user friendly applications, it tends to run much slower with user interaction. If you are looking for a program that runs in the background and can handle databases, this is the way to go. One thing that many people forget is that PHP is a server side language and is at its best when working with server side databases and storage. This would be a great language if you need to store information on a server and don't really need up to the second response to the user. Automated e-mails, shopping carts and basic logins are perfect for this language.

JAVA

Java has started to make a huge comeback. Many people did not see past the chat room interaction that you can get from this language. This language is at its very best when you need multiple users to send information to each other or interact in some way. You can easily use this language to pass information from one computer to another. In the world of MMORPGs, this language is still alive and well. There are several other uses for it as well. If you need a basic program to swap information with a server, JAVA is usually much smaller and faster than Flash. The interface may not look as vibrant and alive, but if you do not need that in your applications, you may want to go with a more streamlined language. Java can also make some great data manipulation programs. If you need to track what a person is doing and need the server to be updated immediately with real time results, JAVA may be your answer.

Flash

There is no argument that Flash provides the highest quality user interface you can get. For games and high definition graphics, you need to use Flash. The biggest hurdle for many developers is the high cost of getting into Flash development. Once you get your hands on the newest IDE, you can create some amazingly intense eye candy for your program. If your program relies on this higher quality of visual interface, you can't get it anywhere but Flash.

Ruby

Ruby is still emerging as on e of the more common languages and there is a lot of room to figure out the capabilities. Many people are shifting to Ruby on Rails (ROR) for their online applications. It is fast and easy to program. The thing with Ruby is that it is still relatively new and needs to be proven as the authority on one avenue of programs. Ruby is great for shopping carts and basic web tools for your site. You can really automate a lot of HTML and XML through the Ruby language. You can easily streamline your site with this language and add a lot of interaction. Ruby tends to work well with databases as well and may even replace PHP in the near future. The power of Ruby has yet to be seen entirely and there is a lot of room for growth. There are several different advancements in this language all the time. It is also quickly becoming the hot new thing that many people are demanding for their sites. Personally, I find Ruby very convenient for applications that deal with database manipulation on the user side. You can really think of Ruby as the user side version of PHP. Instead of forcing you to contact the server to make updates like PHP does, Ruby will update and manipulate on the user side. It is also a very simple language to use. If you are making a program for someone else to be able to update and change, Ruby would be the best bet. It is very simple to change and code.

There is no end to the things that you can have a computer create. The applications that come out everyday are just amazing. With all of these programs, websites, and applications, you have to wonder how many would be so much better if the right language were used. I'm not saying that all programs are in the wrong language, but the difference between a good app and a great one may only be a different language. While you can order Italian food in Italy while speaking Chinese, it may work better if you speak Italian.