HTML, CSS, PHP, and MySQL. Why Use Anything Else?

Bonjour!

The title basically asks my entire question: Why would anyone want to learn anything for web development, besides HTML, CSS, PHP, and MySQL? Sure, Flash could be nice, and maybe even Java for some games, but serious, what the HECK is the point of learning ColdFusion, BML, et cetera? PHP and MySQL are simple, and can do anything you want them to.

Thanks =D

Different servers have different things. I use Ruby on one of my boxes (Linux), Perl on another (Solaris), PHP on two (Windows and Linux box), and one is just a database box. You will not always have the option of using one language wherever you go, so just get used to using the big ones.

To be honest, I rarely use MySQL except for live applications, I use PostgreSQL for personal projects. My English teacher said a paragraph should never have one sentence, so now it has two.

Most databases have the same SQL standard which means it isn't that hard to migrate. That is a good thing because I wasn't hard for me to pick up MySQL or MSSQL.

HTML and CSS are pretty much standards and you won't find them not used much anywhere. Java is pretty to play with (as is JSP which I am currently installing on another Solaris box), Flash is too, but for serious development all you need is Perl, PHP, Ruby, (X)(HTML|ML), and an SQL language.

Well, why use anything but Linux, with PHP? I understand that some already created websites might already be on a Windows server, and someone might want you to install a new feature, but why would the original developers choose Windows with Perl in the first place? PHP on Linux is faster, and more flexible.

It is what they had at the time and were too lazy to install Linux.



I do it to test applications. Some of my programs have had problems getting to work on Windows. Windows/PHP is odd like that. I have about a dozen boxes (most of them made from scrap parts my old boss didn't want) so I have no better use for them. I even performed a gravity "experiment" with one It currently runs Linux...kind of.

You can't guarantee everyone is using Linux or everyone is using Windows or everyone is using the same language as you! That is almost as crazy as trusting user input (almost).

Well, what I'm asking is.... why don't people just use the best?

If you could get an unhealthy cookie, or a healthy cookie, both the same size, and tasting the exact same, why choose the unhealthy?

Why do people keep taking Karate or TKD when Krav Maga is much better? The reason? Too lazy to go any farther. Or simply, "because I can." Why play the guitar or flute? The piano is much better. Simply, because I like the flute. Why fix it if it isn't broken?

Of course this can go deeply philosophical into what is the "best." Who decides which is best? Windows is easier for some, Linux easier for others. I like Solaris, why should I use either?

Wait...I'm saying this on a PUBLIC forum!? ****! Too late now I guess....

Haha, okay, point made. Thanks!

I'm learning C#/ASP.Net because that's where my career trajectory is going. With Oracle databases. The heck point is this is Enterprise not JoeSmithsHomePageAndBlogFromHellWithUselessForumsNoOnePostsToButTheyLookCool.us I'd like to see MySQL handle our data ... I dare it to. And my current projects are running on both Windows Server (the ASP stuff) and Linux (the BO/Reporting/Data Connectivity), btw ...

I think you should have stopped your question here:



Some of us are just into mental torture :-)