| One of the first decisions to make while choosing | | | | Windows' alternative. While this is demonstrably |
| web hosting is - what platform to opt for? | | | | true - think of the millions of viruses for Windows |
| Windows or Linux? PHP or ASP? | | | | systems, and the rare bug that crops up in Linux |
| First of all, note that sites with static pages such | | | | - it is also true that efficient server administration |
| as blogs can run on either Windows or Linux | | | | can render a Windows system as secure as a |
| hosting platforms. These only use HTML and CSS, | | | | Linux one. |
| which are supported equally well by both | | | | Speedwise, there is no clear winner between |
| operating systems. | | | | Windows and Linux. Some things work faster on |
| When you require dynamic content on your | | | | Windows, while others work faster on Linux. So |
| website, such as eCommerce facilities, forums or | | | | to choose between operating systems, cost and |
| other forms of scripting, then you need to pay | | | | security would have to be the deciding factors. |
| attention to your hosting platform. | | | | Linux here is substantially cheaper, as it is an |
| Traditionally, Linux servers are used for scripts | | | | open-source system, and most of its applications |
| based on PHP or Perl. These scripts include | | | | are also under GNU public licenses - in other |
| Wordpress, Drupal, Joomla and many other | | | | words, free. Windows hosting comes with the |
| blogging or content management systems. | | | | added cost of the OS, and certain applications |
| Windows servers, on the contrary, are used with | | | | that the hosting company has to continually pay |
| scripts written in ASP, ASP(dot)Net or Access. | | | | for. |
| MySQL works equally well with both Windows and | | | | As for the ASP-PHP comparison, ASP is almost |
| Linux. Today, cross-platform scripting - that is, | | | | universally the winner where speed is concerned. |
| scripting with PHP/Perl on Windows or with ASP | | | | However, the learning curve in ASP or |
| ASP(dot)NET/Access on Linux - is permitted by | | | | ASP(dot)NET is much steeper than in PHP - |
| some ISPs. | | | | something that can backfire for advanced users |
| However, cross-platform scripting will never give | | | | looking for greater control and freedom. PHP, |
| the smooth performance that a program does | | | | however, is still one of the most popular scripts |
| when run on its native platform - it is a bit like | | | | around thanks to its versatility and the solid, |
| using emulators to run programs that are not | | | | useful applications being written using it. |
| native to the OS. There is one exception here, | | | | In the end, choosing between Windows ASP and |
| though - PHP runs equally well on Windows and | | | | Linux PHP as hosting platforms becomes a matter |
| Linux, so Linux-based hosting is no longer essential | | | | of individual preference and contingent need. |
| to run PHP-based scripts and applications. | | | | Depending on your budget, security concerns and |
| Most computer geeks will advise you to go for | | | | familiarity with the computer language, you can |
| Linux hosting, as Unix - on which Linux is based - | | | | pick either of them and successfully run a |
| is a far more secure and stable platform than | | | | dynamic website for a long time to come. |