Coldfusion Vs. Php

I am a developer for a university and we currently use ColdFusion for all our web applications. Recently my supervisor has been asking me if I know php which I do and I am afraid that he is thinking of ditching ColdFusion in favor of PHP because "it's free" as he keeps hinting. I happen to know that the university is not in financial trouble and can easily continue to afford supporting ColdFusion. I feel that dropping it in favor of PHP would be a tremendous step backwards. ColdFusion is quick and convenient for small projects yet unbelievebly extendable since it can work with any Java package. It is also much better than PHP when it comes to maintaing neat, clean presentation separate from programming code. I need to make sure that I remove any serious intention of making this switch from my supervisor's mind and I'm looking for any point of argument to help me. Does anyone have good ideas for how I can convince him? I really appreciate it.

To be honest I have only used ColdFusion for a brief period before my ISP at the time decided going for the free PHP option was a better choice. Personally I didn't see a lot of difference between the 2 programs in what they can do. Sure the commands are a little different but basically it seemed to me that they have similar functionality. Then of course I probably only scratched the suface of ColdFusion's capabilities with just doing basic database stuff. Perhaps going to PHP won't be such a bad thing, (besides all the coding you will have to do), PHP seems to have a lot more resources out there when you need help with a problem. Maybe if you did deeper into what PHP can do you might find it will do what you want anyway.I know that won't help you convince your supervisor, but that's my thoughts anyway.

Its best to use PHP.ReasonsEasy Learning if u know C++OO ProgramingLot of SupportLot of CodeGood FutureEasy integration with other databaseEasily availableEasy configurationEasy to InstallEasy to writeAndWidespread

Personally, I just plain perfer php. It's seem to grown to me and it's easy to learn, imho at least. It seems to be all over, anyway.Have a nice day.

umm,at first chose the active page language,contrasting severals,like ASP/php/coldfusion/jsp/... i think that asp and php is also easy to master and extend to others.with development of web technology and need,php(jsp is rather powerful but not widespread) is becoming the main stream at least when i used.i just realize coldfusion a little,hope to get some useful experience from here.

I havent used coldfusion yet but i always use php so php is my choice...

I am currently learning Php..so far i can say that it is really easy to learn and i am adopting it really nicely......i havent tried cold fusion b4 but from what i read php out-performs it in certain areas

I would stick wit PHP just for the fact that it is supported by nearly all hosts for no extra cost. Youmay like ColdFusion when somebody else is paying for it, but you would be better off getting more familiar with PHP

PHP > ColdfusionI'm learning PHP I already know C++ and PHP seamslike A joke but it does what I need it to.

I'll prefer PHP as compared to any other server-sided scripts. My lecturer once told me that Java is the future, so does JSP, but I don't agree that JSP will be the future. These are my reasons:JSP - Java Server Pages1. PHP is widely supported2. PHP has huge communities that you can find help easily with3. PHP applications are easy to find and they work faster than any other server-size scripts4. PHP is easiest to install5. PHP is freeOn the other hand, in the case of JSP,1. JSP does not have any huge communities2. JSP is harder to learn3. JSP needs to be compiled before running, hence it is slower4. There isn't any much help you can find for JSP5. JSP is not easy to installI'm not sure about ColdFusion, probably it may be worst than JSP because it pretty known to many people? I'm not sure..

I use ColdFusion here at a department within the University of Maryland, and I'm perfectly satisfied with it. I have managed web sites as an intern and professionally for the last 7 years. I learned ColdFusion relatively quickly after only skimming through sections of O'Reilly's "ColdFusion."I've had to do various transitions such as importing data, setting up tables, switching database formats, re-programming apps from the ground up, writing a search engine, adding new apps, etc. Our site now hosts 600 pages, and about 300 of them are CF-driven. If I had to re-write the code for all those pages in another language just because my boss wanted to save money I'd quit my job. Re-writing several years' worth of code is an elephant of a project no matter how good you are.Regardless of how much support PHP has out there, you'd have to learn the new language syntax from scratch and THEN re-write everything. If you're dealing with a lot of pages, it'd cost your boss just as much money to pay you to re-write the code as it would to just keep CF. To be perfectly honest, if cost is really a problem tell your boss not to upgrade the server software. Problem solved.JoseI know-Jose Galdamez

Take a look at http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ seemed from this article by Tom Muck that ColdFusion code can be much smaller and more intuitive. Below is a Summary from his article..."SummaryPHP is certainly a viable technology to build Web applications, but for PHP programmers who wish to make the change to ColdFusion, the transition can be an easy one. You'll find that applications that once took days can be done in hours, and calls to third-party modules can be a thing of the past. CFML is a versatile language that is self-contained, easy-to-learn, and promotes rapid application development. Also, with the new additions of JSP tag libraries, ColdFusion Components, XML functionality, and web services in ColdFusion MX, ColdFusion is more versatile than ever before."-Aaron

I came to this site to help me figure out what I wanted to use for my site similiar to a Facebook/Myspace, the choice was ColdFusion or PHP. After reading this page both sides have good arguments and I still can't make up my mind, but I do need a web developer so if anyone with a good resume is looking for work I need a site made that is similar to Facebook and Myspace with a media twist-Steve

Trap Feedbacker

Coldfusion Vs. Php

First of as a guy that has used both languages I would say,

1. Coldfusion s good for its remoting gateway and flex builds. CFC's are very handy.

2. PHP has great frameworks for RAD style builds and has alot of free stuff that is good.

I would suggest if your boss wants you to explore PHP do it. Explore it and learn it. Take a look at CakePHP and I can assure you that you will be looking at saving time on many apps you build.

When it comes down to it all languages are not equal.

You need to understand each and what they are good for because your time is more expensive than a coldfusion license or a Zend Platform license or IIS and MSSQL license.

Every language has good things and bad things.

Also look at your future. DO you want to limit yourself and not learn PHP and what a 3rd of the internet runs on ?

Web Developer

Coldfusion Vs. Php

Replying to Trap FeedBacker

I'm taking over a job that's in Cold Fusion but we use PHP. Looks like we'll keep the project in CF rather than start over again. I can't imagine there being too much difference in the languages.

To the guy that was looking for a developer, check out our site, http://www.fernwoodtech.com/

Cheers

Jade.

-reply by Jade Wood