As you all are already familiar on a few of the more basic hosting features such as bandwidth and storage. However, there is a lot more you’ll need to know about the scripting features.
Below, we’ll talk about some of the more advanced server scripting features which will help you to buy web hosting according to your requirement. While it’s impossible to give a full explanation of them without actually attempting to learn the syntax used, it’s still possible to give a little background.
PHP
This is probably the most popular language around. PHP (which, by the way, doesn’t stand for anything) is a server-side language. This means that all code is compiled and processed on the webserver, and not the visitor’s computer. The ability to have the server process data is extremely useful because it allows the ability to save information, do the math, talk to other web servers, and do many more complicated processes without using the client’s bandwidth.
Furthermore, the code is impossible to access by the visitor. This way, visitors can’t just see a script that they like a take it. If you don’t want people to copy your website’s programming, PHP is what you’ll need.
PHP also has the very useful ability to generate web pages based on pretty much any variable condition. There are scripts out there that can take a single word and output an entire webpage based on what that word is. This method is an extremely popular one for webmasters who are looking for more traffic. A related and sometimes useful webpage can be generated for anyone looking for anything on the web.
MySQL
This isn’t really a programming language, but a type of database that’s also hidden from the site visitors. It is common to store very large quantities of information that must be organized in MySQL tables. Typically, the database files are programmed directly into the web server’s CPanel. However, there are other ways to create separate SQL data files that can be treated like any other file. Storing databases this way oftentimes makes them easier to backup on a regular basis.
Perl
Perl is the more advanced server-side language, with its syntax being closer to that of regular application development languages, such as C. However, anything that can be done in Perl can also be done in PHP. Often times the code takes a little longer to program with PHP, but it has two distinct advantages. The first is that it is so tightly integrated with MySQL. This makes mass data processing a breeze. The second is that it is simply the standard of web programming today. PHP is a lot easier to learn, and it is a lot easier to get help. More people understand PHP, and more servers support it than Perl.
Perl has its place in some senses, and any good webmaster will fiddle with both to see which they like best. But it shouldn’t be a necessity to have a web host that supports Perl unless you’re totally in love with it. If you don’t know the language, chances are you’re not going to be forced to learn it.
