ASP.net or PHP?

[aharrisreid]

I am a self-employed software developer specialising in database applications using SQL-Server and Visual Foxpro. I have decided that it is about time I started branching-out into web-based database applications.

* If I am to maximise my chances of employment over the coming years, is ASP.net (2.0) the best choice? Would I be better-off going with a more well-established scripting language such as PHP?
What are the development tools like for these languages? I have been looking at Visual Web Developer Express, and I am very impressed with it.

* When installing a site on a live web-server, which is easier to deploy? For ASP.net do I need anything else appart from the .net framework and IIS? Presumably I can use PHP with Apache (which is free!), but would these be less expensive to deploy than .net? Or should I forget deployment and go with a hosting company that would take care of all the problems?

* Bearing in mind my clients are small/medium businesses, their budgets for web-deployment won't be huge, so I have to keep costs to a minimum. At the moment I am using the free download of VWDE, but it is not clear from the MSFT website if the express editions will be available after November 2006, and will they be charging for it, and how much? Will VDWE still be available as a separate application, or will I have to get full Visual Studio Express? Does anyone have this information?

Any help would be appreciated.

Alan

[vinyl-junkie]

Welcome to CodingForums, Alan. :)

Personally, I'm a huge fan of ASP.NET. However, if you're a freelance web developer who wants to keep costs to a minimum for your clients, PHP would be the way to go. There are many threads here in the forums regarding the PHP vs. ASP/ASP.NET debate (which you might want to search out). In one of those recent threads, someone pointed out that generally, companies who use ASP.NET tend to be larger and have their own dedicated server. I'm guessing that isn't the type of client you are seeking to do work for. That being the case, your efforts would be better spent going the PHP route.

Just my opinion.

[iota]

As you think, Visual Web Developer is only best tool for ASP.Net.

As for PHP Tools, try the following.

Rapid PHP [ -- in my opinion, this is the best]
http://www.blumentals.net/rapidphp/

Antechinus PHP Editor [ -- not bad]
http://www.c-point.com/

PHP Designer[-- freeware]
http://www.mpsoftware.org/

PHP Expert Editor [ -- like coz it has built-in http server, hence we don't need to save every file of our practice.]
http://www.ankord.com/phpxedit.html

PHP Maker [ automatic connector for php-mysql ]
http://www.hkvstore.com/phpmaker
[Automation tool that can generate a full set of PHP quickly from MySQL database. You can instantly create Web sites that allow users to view, edit, search, add and delete records on the Web]