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Ask HN: PHP or Python? for a beginner.

3 points by dave_k 14y ago

6 months ago I decided I wanted to learn how to develop websites. Since then I have been working on developing my first project (www.plotified.com) in PHP. I choose PHP because I have a couple friends who are very proficient in it, and would make for good references if needed. So, now that I am a little versed in PHP I am wondering if i made the right choice. Should I have gone with Python? Or should I continue PHP til I and proficient in it and then learn Python? Any advice would be much appreciated.

cardmagic 14y ago
My advice is to try them both and see which one is a better fit for your style. With a modern PaaS like https://console.appfog.com/ https://console.appfog.com/ you can deploy apps in many languages easily without the hassle of setting up entire stacks.
randomdrake 14y ago
Why not both? They're both fun to write applications in. In fact, why not pick up some Perl and maybe some JS while you're at it? Limiting yourself to one language can teach you bad habits or start to close your mind to the possibilities that may be available in other languages. It's great to master a language, sure, but at this point in your learning, you should be reaching out all over the place to absorb as much as you can. By learning other languages, you not only fill your tool belt with new and shiny things, but you learn to use the other things in your tool belt better. Different languages make you think differently about how you design and structure things. You'll find similarities, that will reinforce your basic programming but, you'll also find differences, that will open your mind to structuring or writing your programs in new and interesting ways. I wouldn't lock yourself in to any particular language. You'll make yourself more marketable and a better programmer by becoming well-versed in many languages.
- dave_k 14y ago
  Wow, that was really good advice! JS has been something I have been looking into recently and it's quite amazing the things it allows you to do. "Limiting yourself to one language can teach you bad habits or start to close your mind to the possibilities that may be available in other languages. " You're so right. Thanks.
- lucperkins 14y ago
  I agree, although I would argue for making JavaScript your primary language for web development, especially in light of (a) the possibility that has emerged in the past few years of running JavaScript on the front and back end (I'm referring of course to Node.js), and (b) the movement toward doing and more and more on the front end with far more selective recourse to the back end (here I'm referring to libraries like Backbone, Ember, etc.). PHP and Python are both very cool and have amazing communities, but get as comfortable as possible with JS first.
  - dave_k 14y ago
    I have heard and read quite a bit about node.js. That's something I will definitely need to look into more. thanks!
facorreia 14y ago
Usually I would advise you to start with Python. It's beginner-friendly and has a lot of potential. But I think you should stick to PHP for now. You have already started to build up some knowledge. You should take advantage and build upon this foundation. Specially because as you start to get more comfortable with the basics, you'll focus more in other aspects of development than simply learning the language and its libraries. Having a couple friends nearby that can help is also a great boost. You'll probably want to move on in the future and learn other platforms. I see no hurry. Maybe you should take another 6 months and tackle a more challenging project, instead of rebooting to another language and platform right away. There's a lot of bad software written in PHP, but in other languages that happens too. On the other hand, great software and great companies such as Mediawiki (Wikipedia), Wordpress and Facebook have leveraged PHP to great success.

3 points by dave_k 14y ago

cardmagic 14y ago

My advice is to try them both and see which one is a better fit for your style. With a modern PaaS like https://console.appfog.com/ https://console.appfog.com/ you can deploy apps in many languages easily without the hassle of setting up entire stacks.

randomdrake 14y ago

Why not both? They're both fun to write applications in. In fact, why not pick up some Perl and maybe some JS while you're at it? Limiting yourself to one language can teach you bad habits or start to close your mind to the possibilities that may be available in other languages. It's great to master a language, sure, but at this point in your learning, you should be reaching out all over the place to absorb as much as you can. By learning other languages, you not only fill your tool belt with new and shiny things, but you learn to use the other things in your tool belt better. Different languages make you think differently about how you design and structure things. You'll find similarities, that will reinforce your basic programming but, you'll also find differences, that will open your mind to structuring or writing your programs in new and interesting ways. I wouldn't lock yourself in to any particular language. You'll make yourself more marketable and a better programmer by becoming well-versed in many languages.

dave_k 14y ago
Wow, that was really good advice! JS has been something I have been looking into recently and it's quite amazing the things it allows you to do. "Limiting yourself to one language can teach you bad habits or start to close your mind to the possibilities that may be available in other languages. " You're so right. Thanks.
lucperkins 14y ago
I agree, although I would argue for making JavaScript your primary language for web development, especially in light of (a) the possibility that has emerged in the past few years of running JavaScript on the front and back end (I'm referring of course to Node.js), and (b) the movement toward doing and more and more on the front end with far more selective recourse to the back end (here I'm referring to libraries like Backbone, Ember, etc.). PHP and Python are both very cool and have amazing communities, but get as comfortable as possible with JS first.
- dave_k 14y ago
  I have heard and read quite a bit about node.js. That's something I will definitely need to look into more. thanks!

facorreia 14y ago

Usually I would advise you to start with Python. It's beginner-friendly and has a lot of potential. But I think you should stick to PHP for now. You have already started to build up some knowledge. You should take advantage and build upon this foundation. Specially because as you start to get more comfortable with the basics, you'll focus more in other aspects of development than simply learning the language and its libraries. Having a couple friends nearby that can help is also a great boost. You'll probably want to move on in the future and learn other platforms. I see no hurry. Maybe you should take another 6 months and tackle a more challenging project, instead of rebooting to another language and platform right away. There's a lot of bad software written in PHP, but in other languages that happens too. On the other hand, great software and great companies such as Mediawiki (Wikipedia), Wordpress and Facebook have leveraged PHP to great success.