Which web development language should I learn?

[vgoklani]

Hi,

I have decided (for fun) that I would like to get into web development, and I have been banging my head against the wall trying to pick which language to learn. I am pretty strong in both C++ and Java, and I have done a few things with Oracle (SQL). I am quite comfortable with OOP, and I prefer elegant (and highly readable) code - this excludes Perl! I would like to write a few things for facebook to start, and then possibly a few dashboard widgets. I am trying to decide between Python, PHP, or Ruby. I know some people use Java, but others say it's an overkill. So what should I start with? I am used to working with IDEs (Eclipse for Java) and debuggers, so please keep that in mind in your response.

 

[tominated]

i'd learn both php and ruby. They can both do similar things, but sometimes you can only use php (if you are on a low end web host or something.

 

[Me1000]

I 2nd PHP,

but just because your host doesnt offer ruby doesn't mean it is "low end"

it just means they havent been requested to add ruby...

 

[zimv20]

2008 is the year of WebCobol. 100%.

seriously, check out Flex if you want to go the RIA route.

 

[micharadi]

I 3rd PHP =p

Its very good!

 

[ppc_michael]

PHP is excellent, especially for Facebook apps.

 

[ChicoWeb]

4thed

We only do PHP at my shop. Always in need in PHP programmers. Over ASP any day

 

[HiRez]

I like Python + Django, but Ruby + Rails is in the spotlight now, PHP is a persistent solid choice, and yes, Apollo/Flex may be hot in the near future (although AFAIK it's not currently open-source, so that might worry me a little). Perl? Meh. Some people love it, personally I tried to get into it but could never learn to like it. If I were you I'd just pick one but as your programming knowledge grows, start dabbling in other things. They just change too fast nowadays to lock yourself into one language or framework and knowing multiple languages will help you see things from different perspectives.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

PHP is well supported and nicely documented and probably the easiest to learn, coming from C++ and Java. Very similar syntax. I've been working in PHP (with or without MySQL) for most things for several years now. A visit or two to PHP.net is a must.

That said: There are some security issues with PHP that has gotten me to look around for other options and Python looks like an alternative... I've been wanting an excuse to learn that language for a while now, and probably going to look into Django and Zope/Plone when I get a chance...

 

[zimv20]

Apollo/Flex may be hot in the near future (although AFAIK it's not currently open-source, so that might worry me a little)

the SDK source has been available for some time, and the project will go fully open source.

the big caveat is that the eclipse-based tool isn't free (though the command line tools are).

 

[nightelf]

Learn PHP first. PHP is very easy to learn and lots of tutorials online.

 

[HiRez]

Oh, I hadn't noticed before where you said you prefer "elegant highly readable code". That is a strong point of Python in my opinion. It is very lean, efficient, and easy to read. But, the indented, brace-free nature of it will throw you at first, there's no getting around that. Takes a little time to get used to.

 

[vgoklani]

Thanks for all the responses! it sounds like PHP is the way to go, but how object oriented is PHP5? I read that exceptions are a new feature of PHP5, which makes it sound very primitive? are there any Ruby programmers out there, what do you think?