ASP v PHP v mySQL

[babycam]

Hi all,
I have a general question here...

Ive been doing web work for about a year now as a bit of a money spinner. I’ve learnt css and xhtml predominantly. Have been able to locate and manipulate js and php to a degree of novice'ness...

So my next step is to learn about dynamic web pages due to using some simple INCLUDE functions and using form mail scripts with PHP and have stumbled across mySQL...

But I want to know whether I should direct my learning towards php/mySQL or ASP.

So the question is:
What do you guys use when building dynamic pages - what are your preferences and what are the advantages and/or pitfalls of mySQL or ASP?

Many thanks
Cam

[JamieR]

ASP is cleaner than PHP in terms of code, but is more expensive to run seeing as it requires windows servers. PHP includes are shorter than ASP - include("page.php"); is the include function with the included page referenced. In ASP, it's something like <!--#include file="file.asp"-->

[NancyJ]

The shortest answer to this question is learn whatever your host supports and it sounds like that is php.

A more in depth answer would be:

For your mundane everyday tasks, asp(vbscript) is by far the easiest to learn and to use. The syntax is very forgiving and easy to understand BUT its functionality is limited, unless you buy/develop a lot of specialist components and install them on your server.

If you want to develop complex web apps then go with PHP, it is incredibly powerful and the online documentation is fantastic (www.php.net)

On the other hand, if you want to get a job in the industry then you'll ideally learn both, though you may find that there are more job opportunities for asp developers(presumably because corporations fear free and open source solutions - cos if it costs money its obviously better, especially if it has a m$ stamp on it ;) )
If you're just starting out you might want to look at asp.net - its very shiny ;) but the hosting is more expensive.