PHP versus Mason

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Preslopsky

    PHP versus Mason

    I am currently evaluating what language I should use to create a web
    interface to some of our databases. I am purely in the fact finding
    stage at this point, having no website nor database set up yet. This
    is sort of a new area for me, so I am looking for some advice.

    Part of our organization has Cold Fusion running on its web server.
    It would really be no problem for me to build an application there for
    some of the "public" verisions of the data. However, much of the data
    is very restricted, and will have to to reside on a Linux server that
    only myself and only a few other people have access to. That is a
    fairly bare bones system, and we will not be able to spring a couple
    of grand to have Cold Fusion running there. I am not overly
    disappointed, as I am a little wary of proprietary languages anyway.

    That leaves me to find a good, cheap, way to do things. Most likely
    the database will be set up with postgresql. I was initially leaning
    toward PHP as the language for the web application. We have Apache
    web server running on Linux with PHP included. However, I found out
    that our IT folks have actually disabled PHP and want me to use
    something called Mason.

    Questions that come to mind are:
    1) Why disable PHP? I should be asking the admins this, but I would
    like to at least understand the issues before I talk to them. We are
    ultra paranoid about IT security here. Is there something about PHP
    that makes them nervous? Is Mason better?
    2) Do a lot of people actually use Mason? Are there any strengths or
    weaknesses versus PHP?
    3) Any thoughts on Cold Fusion here? Since we already have it, should
    I try to make the most of it?
  • Ruby Tuesdays

    #2
    Re: PHP versus Mason

    Have you take a look at Ruby? ( http://www.ruby-lang.org )


    Comment

    • Tony Marston

      #3
      Re: PHP versus Mason


      "Preslopsky " <preslopsky@frb .gov> wrote in message
      news:3f80185a.0 405280623.52226 e69@posting.goo gle.com...[color=blue]
      > I am currently evaluating what language I should use to create a web
      > interface to some of our databases. I am purely in the fact finding
      > stage at this point, having no website nor database set up yet. This
      > is sort of a new area for me, so I am looking for some advice.
      >
      > Part of our organization has Cold Fusion running on its web server.
      > It would really be no problem for me to build an application there for
      > some of the "public" verisions of the data. However, much of the data
      > is very restricted, and will have to to reside on a Linux server that
      > only myself and only a few other people have access to. That is a
      > fairly bare bones system, and we will not be able to spring a couple
      > of grand to have Cold Fusion running there. I am not overly
      > disappointed, as I am a little wary of proprietary languages anyway.
      >
      > That leaves me to find a good, cheap, way to do things. Most likely
      > the database will be set up with postgresql. I was initially leaning
      > toward PHP as the language for the web application. We have Apache
      > web server running on Linux with PHP included. However, I found out
      > that our IT folks have actually disabled PHP and want me to use
      > something called Mason.
      >
      > Questions that come to mind are:
      > 1) Why disable PHP?[/color]

      Probably because they do not know what it is. If they had any knowledge of
      it they would not be afraid. They have probably read somewhere that "PHP is
      full of bugs and is insecure" but that information is wildly out of date and
      innaccurate.
      [color=blue]
      > I should be asking the admins this, but I would
      > like to at least understand the issues before I talk to them. We are
      > ultra paranoid about IT security here. Is there something about PHP
      > that makes them nervous?[/color]

      PHP is no more insecure than any other language - it just depends on the
      skill of the programmer. It is possible for a bad programmer to screw up in
      any language you care to mention. There are numerous resources on the web
      which highlight the areas you should look out for, therefore writing a
      secure application should not be a problem.
      [color=blue]
      > Is Mason better?[/color]

      MASON is based on PERL which is a general-purpose scripting language which
      had web capabilities bolted on afterwards. On the other hand PHP was
      specifically designed for the web. You can write PHP code to achieve things
      more quickly than you can write Perl code. Check out the various articles on
      the subject from the links at

      [color=blue]
      > 2) Do a lot of people actually use Mason? Are there any strengths or
      > weaknesses versus PHP?[/color]

      Details on MASON can be found at http://www.masonhq.com/.
      [color=blue]
      > 3) Any thoughts on Cold Fusion here? Since we already have it, should
      > I try to make the most of it?[/color]

      If you already have knowledge of Coldfusion then why not? But if it is going
      to cost a couple of grand then that could be a sticking point, especially
      when you consider that PHP is free.

      Just my two pence worth.

      --
      Tony Marston

      This is Tony Marston's web site, containing personal information plus pages devoted to the Uniface 4GL development language, XML and XSL, PHP and MySQL, and a bit of COBOL




      Comment

      • Doug Hutcheson

        #4
        Re: PHP versus Mason

        "Tony Marston" <tony@NOSPAM.de mon.co.uk> wrote in message
        news:c97rla$aes $1$830fa795@new s.demon.co.uk.. .[color=blue]
        >
        > "Preslopsky " <preslopsky@frb .gov> wrote in message
        > news:3f80185a.0 405280623.52226 e69@posting.goo gle.com...[/color]
        <long snip>[color=blue][color=green]
        > > 2) Do a lot of people actually use Mason? Are there any strengths or
        > > weaknesses versus PHP?[/color]
        >
        > Details on MASON can be found at http://www.masonhq.com/.[/color]

        I agree with Tony and add, in response to the above question, that in 25
        years as a software developer, this thread is the first time I have ever
        heard of a language called Mason or MASON. Maybe I should get out more
        <grin>, but it certainly is not a well-known or widely used language in my
        experience.

        Just my $0.02
        Cheers,
        Doug

        --
        Remove the blots from my address to reply


        Comment

        • Philipp Kern

          #5
          Re: PHP versus Mason

          On 2004-05-28, Ruby Tuesdays <NoSpamPlease_r ubytuzdaiz@yaho o.com> wrote:[color=blue]
          > Have you take a look at Ruby? ( http://www.ruby-lang.org )[/color]

          As far as web development is concerned Ruby is still lacking some grounds
          compared to e.g. PHP. No need to flame me now, I know of CGIKIT and the like.

          ;-)

          Bye,
          phil
          --
          Please send replys (not followups) to the address set in Reply-To.
          Philipp Kern - PK2186-RIPE - http://www.philkern.de

          Comment

          Working...