I got a pretty good question today, something I may have never talked about before: why did I drop Java?
Short answer:
Speed.
… It is just so much faster to develop in PHP vs Java. Same can be said for Ruby, and in fact, many of those in the Ruby ranks, are disaffected Java programmers.
Also, Java web hosting on a shared server can be problematic because the JVM requires a lot of server resources and so if you are creating Java web apps, it is best to have a dedicated server to deploy too.
So does that mean Java is useless?
No. But it is something that you DON’T use for small and even medium size web application development. Best to use Java for larger systems and Android programming.
I did love Java once, but like a fat old girlfriend, you just have to give em’ the boot if they get too fat and too old.
Anyone who has read anything I’ve written (or watched my video blogs,) knows I can’t stand academics. I was particularly vocal against the early 2000’s Web Standards movement’s zealotry, wherein reality was pushed aside in favor of code purity.
These nerds would ignore reality – for example:
They would ignore how the most popular browsers where interpreting code – often times in a method contrary to their nerd wet-dreams. And they would come up with harebrained hacks to jam in their ‘compliant’ code. Hacks that eventually broke in many cases, defeating the supposed original purpose of the Web Standards movement!
They would obfuscate what the actual browser use was in terms of real people surfing the Web. They would come out with numbers that did not reflect the reality they were desperately trying to ignore: that the vast majority of people surfing the Web were using web browsers (Internet Explorer) that did not play nice with their ideas of how a web browser should read code.
This is part 1 of a 3 part video tutorial where we teach you how to build out a password form, which will also give you the foundation to build other CMS forms. From our Build a CMS Course!
This is part 2 of a 4 part video tutorial on CMS option changes, where we start building up the files that the links link to. From our Build a CMS Course!
As a web developer or web designer, you have to mindful of who your audience is when you are putting up a new web site or web application.
Back in the 1990’s when I started, you had to consider which web browser but you were pretty safe to assume that people would be visiting your website on a desktop computer and 95% of the time, it was Windows.
… Things have changed and will continue to change.
Check out what a well known hedge fund analyst is saying – Roger McNamee of Elevation Partners told CNBC:
The explosion of mobile platforms, particularly iOS and Android, means that Windows will account for less than 50% of all Internet-connected devices in 2011.
Now that doesn’t mean 50% of the people visiting your site will be using iOS or Android … at least not yet. But it does speak of a powerful trend that will not stop. That trend is toward smartphones, tablets and the death of the desktop. Since Windows on the smartphone and tablet is a non-starter, I think as a web application developers, we have to see Android and iOS as being the future.
What does that mean for PHP developers?
I think PHP programmers are going to have understand the new front end … the mobile device. As such, PHP’rs are really going to have to get into the client-side technologies because they have an impact how we write PHP code. I’m thinking:
- HTML 5
- CSS 3
- Javascript
- JSON
- Jquery
… You better understand how these technologies work with PHP if you want a job (or contracts) as a PHP programmer.
This just out: Android Market Share Doubles, iOS Drops In Q3
Android’s share of the worldwide smartphone market was 52.3% for Q3, double what it was a year ago, according to fresh data from Gartner. Apple’s iOS dropped on a year over year basis to 15% market share for Q3.
The culprit for Apple’s drop? The iPhone 4, of course. People were waiting for the iPhone 5, or as it turned out, the iPhone 4S.
I’m no Android fan-boy and I happen to like Apple products a lot – I think the the Mac Air is the greatest computer ever made. But as a practical web designer and web programmer, you have to be mindful of what’s going on in the real world. It is clear that Android is and will be the dominate player.
So web designers and developers (programmers) have to learn HTML 5 and CSS 3 since they both run fine on Android and iOS.
In this not so concise somewhat blathering video I talk about keeping code clean. Applies to not only PHP and HTML, but to all languages like Javascript, Java and your bedroom too.
We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.
Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.
His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.
This is the second video tutorial in a 2 part series, where we continue our look at building up functionality that allows you to edit your content areas. From our Build a CMS Course!
This is the first video tutorial in a 2 part series, where we teach you how to build up functionality that allows you to edit your content areas. From our Build a CMS Course!
In this video tutorial, we focus on getting your database setup so you can store content, as well as working on your edit.php file and view files. From our Build a CMS Course!
One of the mistakes web developers make is to spend too much time perfecting the code base in a project. This waste too much time and ignores one very important fact: you need to get the software into the users hands as quickly as possible, so they can give you feedback.
… Most end users/clients have very little idea what they really want before they actually use the software. Once they do get their hands on it, they will be able to give you much more accurate feedback in terms of what the software should do ultimately.
In the following vblog I address this issue, framing it in the ‘good enough’ principle of application development:
In this video tutorial, we teach you how to create editable regions that users can edit, as well as adding in your WYSIWYG functionality. From our Build a CMS Course!
In the following video blog, I discuss the options you have to consider when getting into programming/software development as a career. Choisces that include:
- the language: PHP, Ruby, Java etc
- where you want to work: as a contractor, for small business, or for the enterprise.
The people at Zendcon graciously asked that I let you know about their upcoming conference. Since I am a big advocate of Zend, I figured why not?
The details:
The Zend PHP Conference (ZendCon) will be held October 17-20, 2011, at the Convention Center in Santa Clara, California.
ZendCon excels by offering innovative content that covers the latest and most important developments in PHP. A renowned group of industry experts and thought-leaders will deliver the 2011 program, with three central themes:
Cloud Computing
Build applications, not infrastructure.
Learn about the latest developments in PHP Cloud infrastructure, management and application services
Mobile and User Experience
Go beyond the browser
Learn how to build engaging mobile apps with the latest PHP technologies and tools
Enterprise and Professional PHP
Master your craft
Explore PHP best practices, new technologies and practical tips with industry experts
The conference will include a variety of technical sessions, in-depth tutorials, UnConference sessions and unique networking opportunities. Early Bird prices are available until September 10, so register now for the best prices.
Visit www.zendcon.com to look at the sessions, speakers, schedules and to register.
This is the second video tutorial in a 2 part series, where we continue to teach you about proper login form functionality. From our Build a CMS Course!
