I know that they are all scripting languages. However, I'm not sure what each one is. Could someone please explain them to me?

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Thanks for dropping by Conkermaniac...

In my very limited understanding, CGI is the support needed to run Server Side Scripting of which perl, PHP, ASP (VBScript/JavaScript), Cold Fusion (CFML) and even JSP is then the preferred Scripting language of ur choice.

• perl is still, i think, the most popular around.
  
  PHP is open source, gaining popularity fast.
  
  ASP = Microsoft, need i say more?
  
  Cold Fusion = Macromedia

All of them allow u to do fantastic stuff on ur website using databases.

Of course I am biased, my vote is for PHP or both, perl & PHP.

I actualy use perl for my message board, which is currently being reworked, but I like it. I am going to learn perl this coming year (2002) but I really don't know any other languages. I think that whatever you use, if it is a good script, you will like it.
Nick

I'm guessing you design your own message board, nniehoff? I think I understand it now. I just looked around and learned the basics of PHP. However, it seems that you must have a database in order to get something like a form or board working without that "pop-up" window from Microsoft coming up.

With Perl forums (ex. Ikonboard), in which dir can I see all the posts made? Are they uploaded to the server and can be removed through FTP?

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You're not supposed to be looking at this.

I use http which actually uses DBM, MySQL, or PostgreSQL, its your choice. Yes you do need somekind of a database to keep the posts in.
Nick

Do you still want more info?

why not? as u can see from the pageviews, some topics in here are actually more like a FAQ as well

Perl:
Scripting language that is iether server side or client side. Runs in conjunction with CGI scripts (also called CGI in many cases). File extension is .pl

PHP:
Recursive acronym for 'PHP: Hypertext Preprosser.' It is entirely server-side and presents pages in HTML. File extension is .php or .html or .htm . More informationis located at http://www.php.net .

ASP:
Acronym for 'Active Server Pages.' Does nearlly exactly the same thing as PHP but doesn't handle forms as well. Microsoft product. More information available at http://www.microsoft.com . extension=.asp

Cold Fusion:
Same as above. http://www.macromedia.com extension=.cfm

Thats about all I know i guess.