Just Another Web Download Comparison - Platform

Question

I am looking to make a web launch that involves something in line with an e-commerce site, but a little deeper than that. Although I would prefer not to go into details from the point of view of the initial idea, I can indicate (at a basic level) what is required from the website. If you have any comments or opinions from personal experience that relate to what you see here, I would appreciate it if you could share them.

• Interaction Paypal API (specifically).

  • From what I read about their API, integrating with it on their website is VERY expensive, so I would probably put it off until I (hopefully) generate money and write my own simple credit card system interaction.

• SQL Backend (obviously)

  • PostgreSQL seems like a pretty good choice, because from what I read, the structure is a bit more “object oriented” than, say, MySQL. Again, I used MySQL before and had no problems with it. Should I learn PostgreSQL for this purpose?

• An implementation of Java or .Net (preferably Mono, so I can use .Net when hosting a site using Apache).

  • The reason for this is that, frankly, as long as I know that PHP is a great website development platform, I hate development with it. Before someone calls and cries for me, note that I have nothing against this language, I just do not like it for my purposes.

  • While Mono may be fine, I know that ASP.Net MVC 3 has not yet been released for Mono, which can be painful without Razor syntax. Ontop of this, it seems that Java is a completely FULL library of classes that are engaged in web development, which can be downloaded from the Internet. If anyone has experience with them, I would appreciate it if it were published. From what I read about Spring and Struts2, they seem to be the best there, especially because they are (AFAIK) MVC.

  • I looked at Python and Django, which seem REALLY good, but I don’t know much Python, and I would rather start with something that I already know (in language, not with the framework), than immersing myself in learning a language and a new structure.

  • I would REALLY want to be able to host my site through Apache, rather than using Windows Server or something like that, to be honest, I hate setting them up. I do not in any way recognize it, form or form, I just say that I do not like it. <3-pin configuration. However, if there are good reasons for Windows Server, I would like to examine it.

  • There are many things in C # that Java doesn't have, including delegates, unsigned types, and LINQ. Is there something that Java has that can counter this?

Answer 1

If you are going to work with Java, you cannot host it using apache. You will run Tomcat or some other servlet container or a full Java EE application server such as Glassfish. You can use apache as a front-end for requests with a more efficient protocol (ajp protocol) than just making an http call.

I never used Mono, didn’t do a ton of reading, but if you want to use ASP.NET, I would just go with Windows. Save the chores.

Honestly, you can just make the backend a set of APIs, and the user interface is very ayaxian based on interacting with the backend in a way that allows you to easily switch between backend languages. So, if you worked very comfortably in ASP.NET, do it so you can run it, and then when you want to switch the host reorganization (with a lot of lessons, I'm sure) to Java or Django or something else.

Answer 2

"write my own credit card interaction system"

Do you understand the confidentiality, security, legality and compliance issues?

Answer 3

This is my favorite stack, it flies absolutely. I highly recommend:

• Twitter BootStrap
• Facelets2.0 / JSF2.0
• Cdi
• Jpa

You can even post it on http://jelastic.com/ using GlassFish. It is truly an innovative cloud hosting provider. Take 30 seconds to view their homepage to see why.

MySQL / PostgreSQL: Go with someone you know. If you use pure JPA and JPQL, you can switch to another database at any time.

Paypal: how about Dwolla, Chargify or Google Checkout?

I know that I will write this down, but I would again recommend Django / Python for several reasons. I am currently doing the main site, and this is a mess. First, the Python toolkit is not close to caliber as a Java tool. Secondly, Django is too strict, and template tags cannot even contain a candle for awesome AJAX Facelets2.0 / JSF2.0 offers. Thirdly, it’s not quite something that is quick to execute, nor is it “hyperproductive,” as advertised. This is fine for little things, but you will quickly outgrow.

Answer 4

My $ 0.02:

If you are developing (or have the resources), then move on to “what you have” with regard to expertise. Do not accept “religion” when it comes to “platform” - use what you have the best experience. The more fundamental question is “build versus purchase” - yes, you can code as the best of them, but is this your (business) goal?

• Paypal - I'm not sure what you mean by “dear”, but as @Desmond Zhou said, if you are not involved in creating a payment processing system, you should not even think about creating your own credit card interaction system. Use the established services, such like Paypal or third-party alternative checks flow from Google or Amazon .
• On the lines "build vs buy" - you can use the "seller’s platform" - from eBay (stores) or Amazon and don’t spend a minute on development and just "go over" now , Yes, they will please you with fees - but so will the hosting, regardless of the time you spend with several hats - the business owner / developer / IT staff. There is always a “hidden cost” with us, and we tend to forget that we run a business (if the business is not really code / software).
• Technology platform / stack - If you need to grow as described above, go to your existing expertise to start a business, to start your own business, and not engage in learning curve. Make decisions that take a long view into account - why are you considering Mono over "native" for .Net? To save a few dollars on hosting? We seem to think that “we can just migrate” - of course, that our nature. But do you understand the costs and efforts that will be required? for example database switching - do they support the same data types? encryption? Often, what you start with is what you live with for a long time.
• I think (?) You are a WISA person (Windows / IIS / SQL / ASP.NET) (as I am). I think WISA has come a long way as a platform, and the community (Codeplex) has reduced costs. Not ready for full-blown SQL SVR, there Express and even Compact (excellent built-in db and goes for the same dev / management tools as their big MS-brothers). It's still not as cheap as LAMP, but I hope that not how you make decisions on your platforms - go with what you know - avoid religion. You can make any language in which you have experience in "fly", and if you know the platform, fly faster / higher.

Hope this helps ...