Re: Why use PHP? What are the disadvantages?

Actually, I like COBOL (another technology dinosaur).

I wouldn't want to write an operating system in COBOL. But that's not how we use it. We use COBOL for fairly straight-forward batch jobs, reports, and data entry screens. Our COBOL programs average 1000-3000 lines. At that size, structured COBOL programs are practically self-documenting, and compiled COBOL on an IBM i rocks in terms of processing speed.

Our business has been using COBOL on AS400/iSeries/i5/IBM i since the 1980s. We still use COBOL as a primary language, and we've grown every year we've been in business. We've even grown and hired a bunch of people during this recession. COBOL certainly isn't killing us.

I do admit a preference for HTML+PHP over COBOL+DDS when it comes to user interfaces.

Kelly Cookson
Senior Programmer/Analyst
Dot Foods, Inc.
217-773-4486 x12676
www.dotfoods.com

-----Original Message-----
From: web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Stuart Milligan
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 2:44 PM
To: web400@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [WEB400] Why use PHP? What are the disadvantages?

I just couldn't resist commenting Jon:



"I agree - RPG (like COBOL) will be around for a long, long time."



A bit like quarry stone too. Lots of old structures of great value built
from it, but no-one uses it to build houses anymore. Expensive, old
technology and most of the craftsmen have long since gone <grin>



PHP is a bit like finally letting go of the quarry stone to start using
bricks...a bit more modern but hardly state of the art.



If I am standing off in a corner all on my own next week at Tec conf I shall
know why.



Stuart