Noob Advice

AzzyDude24601 · 04-24-2012, 04:18 PM

Hi, I'm almost a complete newb when it comes to server side coding. The limit of my knowledge extends to building a basic 'eBay-like' site for a college assignment using PHP and MySQL.

i.e. the webpage would connect to my MySQL database, then any data is $_POST'd to it or retrieved, yady yada...

So now that you understand how green I am, I've just got this new job where they're building a website that searches a database of collected YouTube videos. I thought I was just the front-end developer guy (you know, easy HTML & CSS jobs) but it turns out I also need to develop the code that links the interface to the database (e.g. you can search through the database using the metadata and then it will embed your chosen video in a different webpage for you to view)

So I asked him about using PHP and MySQL to retrieve and play the videos but he said something like ASP or JSP would be better. So like...anyone any recommendations? Where to start? What to download? All I need is a basic skeleton to work with and I'll flesh out the rest with research! I just need some direction to go in...

alykins · 04-24-2012, 07:31 PM

I don't see any reason why php would be unable to do the same- ASP is the route I would say go; but that is also bc I am biased towards asp (I am a C# guy through-n-through and can do VB quite easily as well)... but anyone who is a php person would have the same viewpoint but from a php perspective... same w/ JSP... I cannot answer whether or not php can solve that issue- simply bc I do not know php and thus do not know it's limitations... I think it would be more of a "can php meet all these req?" and if so- I would stick w/ that (if you already dove down that path)... if you have not decided yet, asking "which one" just ends in a pissing contest btw posters- I would research the languages for yourself and decide based on "what" you want to do...
eg if you want to work for state agencies in the US you better know vb.net (asp) if you plan on doing fed US work you better know C#- unless you want to go on w/ an independant fed contractor (eg Lockheed does a ton of Java and req on a lot of their applicants a J2EE degree)... look at "what job" you want to get and there is your answer

AzzyDude24601 · 04-24-2012, 08:01 PM

Well he said the problem with PHP and MySQL was that it could be compromised too easily. MySQL injection and the like.

I have no idea where to begin with ASP or JSP...are there any decent tutorials on them?

I'm googling them but it's hard to get started. What exactly do I need? A server for testing? Do you download libraries for ASP and JSP? Do you just open a text file, start coding and save it as a .asp or .jsp?

Literally don't know where to begin.

alykins · 04-24-2012, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzzyDude24601

Well he said the problem with PHP and MySQL was that it could be compromised too easily. MySQL injection and the like.

I have no idea where to begin with ASP or JSP...are there any decent tutorials on them?

I'm googling them but it's hard to get started. What exactly do I need? A server for testing? Do you download libraries for ASP and JSP? Do you just open a text file, start coding and save it as a .asp or .jsp?

Literally don't know where to begin.

thus begins the entire open source vs MS argument of "who is more secure" open source ppl say (w/ good reason) it is more secure (more eyes on it to find gaps) MS advocates (like myself) would argue that no one can see it to find the wholes and MS is/should be doing their job of continuing to look for gaps (hence MS security upgrades/patches)

either way- once again a pissing contest. If you are doing this for personal gain or a fun project or a school project, then security really isn't a big deal.... just don't store personal info on it- but even if you went w/ a more "secure" platform if you are "green" you wouldn't know how/where to leverage the security other languages would provide anyways- so what is the point? if you are doing this @ work then your architect should be directing you; if you are the architect then you shouldn't be asking :P

AzzyDude24601 · 04-25-2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alykins

thus begins the entire open source vs MS argument of "who is more secure" open source ppl say (w/ good reason) it is more secure (more eyes on it to find gaps) MS advocates (like myself) would argue that no one can see it to find the wholes and MS is/should be doing their job of continuing to look for gaps (hence MS security upgrades/patches)

either way- once again a pissing contest. If you are doing this for personal gain or a fun project or a school project, then security really isn't a big deal.... just don't store personal info on it- but even if you went w/ a more "secure" platform if you are "green" you wouldn't know how/where to leverage the security other languages would provide anyways- so what is the point? if you are doing this @ work then your architect should be directing you; if you are the architect then you shouldn't be asking :P

Well I'm hoping he'll direct me but I wanted to get some knowledge on the subject before that meeting comes. So I don't sound like a total idiot...

alykins · 04-25-2012, 06:47 PM

You implied that you are either fresh college or still in- and employer should know this (during hiring process).

Don't worry about sounding like an idiot- it is better to be up front and have them know you don't know, than to seem like you know and find out 5 months later that it is all messed up.

Also letting them know you are not to strong in that area (ie you need help/guidance) may (from a jerk) incite some *sigh attitude; but pretending to know and then having to fix it later could cost you your job.