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Which language for web app? (Dizzy from my search.)

by Janice Sperry
10 replies
I promise I did search this forum but I am confused. I can see it has been a topic many, many times but please be patient with me. I know now why they call it a "language" - most of us don't understand it. I also noticed that threads even a couple years ago are very out of date.

In a week or so I will be hiring a programmer but I need to have a better idea what would work best.

It will be a web application not desktop. User will paste content in and the program will change the font, background color, etc. It will have some more complex functions but that is the general idea. It is not IM related.

I want a user to be able to login using any browser with a Mac, PC, Linux, ereader, iOS, Android. I will have a license from Typekit by Adobe for the specific font to show on all those platforms.

Is there a programming/coding language that would be less expensive to develop?

Which one would be the least buggy and easy to support?

Is there one that is looking like a preference for cross-platform applications for the future?

Is there one that plays nicer with other platforms and other types of coding?

Is there one that is faster and that uses less bandwidth? I eventually hope to host it on my own server.

Some of these questions may not make sense since I know nothing about this topic. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me.
#app #dizzy #language #search #web
  • Profile picture of the author ocaswiz
    Originally Posted by Janice Sperry View Post

    Is there a programming/coding language that would be less expensive to develop?
    There is no expensive programming language since they are free. The price you hire the programmer decides whether it's expensive or not.

    Originally Posted by Janice Sperry View Post

    Which one would be the least buggy and easy to support?
    In terms of web app, there are two popular choices, PHP and Python. It is easier to find PHP developer than Python developer. I think PHP is the better choice in your case.

    Originally Posted by Janice Sperry View Post

    Is there one that is looking like a preference for cross-platform applications for the future?
    Web apps run on browser so they are cross-platform.

    Originally Posted by Janice Sperry View Post

    Is there one that plays nicer with other platforms and other types of coding?
    I code PHP so this answer may be considered biased but PHP is easier to maintain and the hosting for php apps is cheaper too.

    Originally Posted by Janice Sperry View Post

    Is there one that is faster and that uses less bandwidth? I eventually hope to host it on my own server.
    It depends on how many images/video you have in your app, the language doesn't matter.

    Hope you will find your developer soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author Janice Sperry
    Very helpful answers. Thanks so much.
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  • Profile picture of the author WealthWithin
    I would suggest to go with PHP as well. Also try to get someone with JavaScript/jQuery experience as well.

    "Which one would be the least buggy and easy to support?"
    Big tip: Get someone who has some experience in any of the major PHP frameworks. If the programmer has never worked with, or heard of any of the frameworks - avoid them. Some of the common PHP frameworks are CodeIgniter, CakePHP, FuelPHP, Laravel etc. There are many more, but sticking to one of these will help you in the long run.

    Good luck with your project!
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
    It's not up to you to have to decide what scripting language is used to accomplish your objective. What your focus should be is to write out a comprehensive description of what you need your web application to do, leaving as little to the imagination as possible. List your requirements - cross platform compatibility, data storage, user data that you need, etc., everything you can possibly think of - and package it up so that you can give it to prospective developers.

    Your developer is the one who will decide how to implement your requirements, and will work with you to determine what can or can't be done and still stay within your budget.
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    • Profile picture of the author wayfarer
      Originally Posted by SteveJohnson View Post

      It's not up to you to have to decide what scripting language is used to accomplish your objective. What your focus should be is to write out a comprehensive description of what you need your web application to do, leaving as little to the imagination as possible. List your requirements - cross platform compatibility, data storage, user data that you need, etc., everything you can possibly think of - and package it up so that you can give it to prospective developers.

      Your developer is the one who will decide how to implement your requirements, and will work with you to determine what can or can't be done and still stay within your budget.
      What he said.
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    • Profile picture of the author Janice Sperry
      Originally Posted by SteveJohnson View Post

      It's not up to you to have to decide what scripting language is used to accomplish your objective. What your focus should be is to write out a comprehensive description of what you need your web application to do, leaving as little to the imagination as possible. List your requirements - cross platform compatibility, data storage, user data that you need, etc., everything you can possibly think of - and package it up so that you can give it to prospective developers.

      Your developer is the one who will decide how to implement your requirements, and will work with you to determine what can or can't be done and still stay within your budget.
      Thanks. That makes sense. I am so new to this and have heard many stories about bad programming I guess I am nervous. I have been learning a lot just going through some of the older threads here.
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      • Profile picture of the author wayfarer
        Originally Posted by Janice Sperry View Post

        Thanks. That makes sense. I am so new to this and have heard many stories about bad programming I guess I am nervous.
        You are rightfully nervous about that. There are a lot of bad programmers out there. As a non-technical person, the only way you have to judge who is good and who is not will be from other qualities. You'll have to be able to "get a feeling" about a person, through an interview.

        In general, skills besides pure coding ability are just as important, if not more important, to the success of your project. Someone who can educate you, while helping you to communicate what your project's needs and challenges are, will be invaluable. Good programmers, at least the best ones to hire for freelancing projects, have excellent personal skills in addition to engineering skills.

        As far as ability goes, it's usually simply a matter of reviewing past projects, to see if they are similar enough to your potential project.

        If this proves too difficult, it is not unheard of to hire a consultant who is very senior, to interview prospects. This can usually be avoided if your project is not too complex, however.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Marzinzik
    Also make sure and carefully pay attention to LANGUAGE BARRIERS! There is a reason outsourcing to India and China is so cheap.... You can't understand them, and they can't understand you. There are exceptions however you will have to find them. Finding good employees can be a challenge. -Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author phpg
    Your description suggests that the more important and complex part of your program is client-side (performed inside the browser by the browser, not by the server), and you don't have much choice here - it should be a combination of html5 / css / javascript.

    For server-side tasks just use PHP. If the only thing you need the server to do is membership related (registration / login / logout), you can just use any existing membership script.
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  • Profile picture of the author RichBeck
    Janice,

    You have received some solid advice so far....

    As for the actual language, if I were building a "standalone" web application I would use node.js on the server because this keeps the client and server in one language - Javascript.

    God Bless,

    Rich Beck BCIP, MCSD, MCIS
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