| If you'd like to create and publish your own web site | | | | it is fairly expensive. |
| on the Internet, your first step should be to decide | | | | You can learn more about ColdFusion here: |
| what type of web site you would like to create and | | | | Java Server Pages (JSP) |
| what web design language you would like to use. | | | | Java Server Pages, also known as JSP, is a web |
| Although there are several web design languages to | | | | design language developed by Sun Microsystems. It is |
| choose from, make sure you take some time to | | | | used to control web page content via servlets, which |
| research your options to ensure you're making the | | | | are little programs that run on a web server. These |
| best choice for your project. | | | | servlets modify the web page on the server prior to |
| Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) | | | | it being displayed within a web browser. |
| The easiest and most popular web design language is | | | | The JSP technology enables you to combine regular, |
| Hypertext Markup Language, better known as HTML. | | | | static HTML with dynamically generated HTML. |
| This language is so simple you can type the syntax | | | | You can learn more about Java Server Pages here: |
| into a text editor, such as Notepad, save it with an | | | | Active Server Pages (ASP) |
| .html extension and instantly have a web page. | | | | Active Server Pages, also known as ASP, is |
| You can learn more about HTML here: | | | | Microsoft's solution to dynamic, interactive web |
| Although HTML will enable you to create simple web | | | | pages. |
| sites, if you want something more dynamic, you'll | | | | Active Server Pages are web pages that contain |
| need to look into using other languages: | | | | scripts in addition to the standard HTML tags. These |
| PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) | | | | scripts are processed prior to a web page being |
| PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, better known as PHP, | | | | displayed within a web browser. |
| is a highly popular, server-side scripting language that | | | | Unlike standard HTML pages that have an .html or |
| can be embedded directly into HTML coding. | | | | .htm extension, Active Server Pages have an .asp |
| PHP can do anything that CGI (Common Gateway | | | | extension. |
| Interface) can do, such as process form data and | | | | An advantage of ASP is that it is |
| auto generate dynamic content. However, PHP can | | | | language-independent and therefore is easy to use |
| do much more. It can be used on all major operating | | | | across all platforms and applications. It is very flexible |
| systems and supports most web servers. | | | | and powerful, yet some people don't like it merely |
| PHP's main focus is development for the web, so it | | | | because it is a Microsoft product. |
| has a quick development time and can solve | | | | You can learn more about Active Server Pages here: |
| scenarios much quicker than some of the other web | | | | [ |
| design languages. | | | | Conclusion |
| You can learn more about PHP: Hypertext | | | | With so many different web design languages to |
| Preprocessor here: | | | | choose from, which is the best language for your |
| ColdFusion | | | | project? That will depend on your web site needs |
| ColdFusion, developed by Macromedia, is used to build | | | | and how much time and/or money you're willing to |
| and serve web pages. It consists of ColdFusion | | | | invest. |
| Studio, which is used to create web pages, and | | | | If you want a simple web site with text and images, |
| ColdFusion Server, which is used to display the web | | | | HTML is definitely the way to go. Not only is it easy |
| pages. | | | | to learn, but there are also many HTML editors |
| One of the best features of ColdFusion is the ability | | | | available online that will write the code for you. |
| to create web pages 'on the fly' from content stored | | | | Although HTML is usually the right choice for most, if |
| within a database. | | | | you'd like your web site to be dynamic, you will need |
| For example, a variety of content can be placed | | | | to research some of the other languages until you |
| within a database as 'pieces of content.' When a user | | | | find the best solution for your project. |
| types in the web address to retrieve the web page, | | | | Take your time and do your homework before you |
| ColdFusion dynamically develops the pages, from the | | | | begin. If you don't feel confident in your ability to |
| 'pieces of content,' as they are served. | | | | create your own web site, hire a professional. It will |
| Although it is very reliable, ColdFusion may be better | | | | save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run. |
| suited for larger companies rather than individuals, as | | | | |