Linux/PHP vs. ASP

They have: 5,633 posts

Joined: Jan 1970

We are about to start a project which will enable users to query a
database and which will return results and record their queries. The
table being queried on will have about 10,000 records, and each query
will write one record to another table (we expect to eventually get
200-500 queries a day, so that table would eventually have in the
neighborhood of 100,000 records. We are trying to decide what
configuration to use, and have narrowed it down to Linux/PHP/MySQL vs
ASP/MSSQL. Any opinions? Should we be concerned about the lack of
scalability of MySQL?
Also is there a difference in performance between Linux/PHP and ASP?

We're just getting started, so any info/tips
would be greatly appreciated.

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

Scalability shouldn't be any problem at all at that level. I am not a big fan of ASP/M$SQL since I feel like PHP/MySQL runs much faster on similar machines. Certainly PHP/MySQL would save you some money also. Here are some reasons to go with PHP. I will let Peter give you the reasons to go with ASP.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

He has: 1,016 posts

Joined: May 2002

I HIGHLY recommend you going with PHP/MySQL mainly for the reasons given in the link provided above.

They have: 11 posts

Joined: Jan 2003

Similar Q on DevShed

Seven reasons why PHP is better

Benchmark results from MySQL.com (well, de in this case)

For a project as small in scope as what you mention, I see no real advantage to using Microsoft stuff, unless you have a pre-existing investment in their gear. Too much dough, insufficient support. My dos pennies.

They have: 601 posts

Joined: Nov 2001

Why not go for postgresql? It's a much better database than MySQL in terms of stability and it's SQL dialect.

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

Quote: Originally posted by Wil
Why not go for postgresql? It's a much better database than MySQL in terms of stability and it's SQL dialect.

I would disagree with that. I have never had nor seen a stability issue with MySQL. Plus it is much easier to find scripts, hosts, etc for MySQL.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

They have: 11 posts

Joined: Jan 2003

MySQL trounces Postgresql in all the benchmark tests I've seen, tho I'll admit having only seen a few.

Mark Hensler's picture

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I've not worked with postgre at all, but I've been told it does support stored proceedures and triggers. Something that you'll have to wait for in mySQL version 4 (it is in there, right?).

Mark Hensler
If there is no answer on Google, then there is no question.

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

Quote: Originally posted by Mark Hensler
I've not worked with postgre at all, but I've been told it does support stored proceedures and triggers. Something that you'll have to wait for in mySQL version 4 (it is in there, right?).

4.0 has been in Alpha forever. It has finally made it to Gamma. Beta can't be far behind.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

Mark Hensler's picture

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But will 4.0 have stored procs & triggers?

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Joined: Nov 2001

I'm not sure Mark, I do hope so. Postgresql does indeed have the one up on MySQL over a number of features in 3.x MySQL. I think version 4 will be a huge step forward for MySQL and a welcomed one at that.

Same story with Apache 2/mod_perl 2 though. It's a waiting game. But until the wait is over, I'll continue to use postgresql, especially on high traffic sites where there's a lot of interaction with the database in terms of adding/updting records.

MySQL is super fast for *retrieving* records from the database. Anything more than that and it falls down big time from my own experience.

- wil

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