which development tools?

[bkelly]

I want to create a commercial web site that provides the user with the ability to fill in forms, select one of many options (combo box), edit in text, and browse their hard drive for files to upload. When done, the web site will be able to take payments then email the results. (Don’t want much do I?)

What language/utility/application is best suited for this? I know the basics of html but little about any web authoring tools. Its time to learn, but which one?

[drhowarddrfine]

You still need to know CSS. You'll need to learn Javascript. But to do what you want you need to know any of the scripting languages. It doesn't really matter much. You'll hear them all thrown at you after this post. I like Python but you won't like coding in C like I really do.

You have to know how to set up a server. Most likely Apache. So get an account on some cheap (not free) server and start experimenting.

It'll be long hoe so don't get in a hurry.

[slaughters]

You may just want to go with one of the web all-in-one type of packages for small businesses.

Something like Yahoo Storefronts:
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/ecommerce/

Or Amazons WebStore:
http://webstore.amazon.com/?ld=AZHelpwebstoreSOA

[Sunny G]

What you're talking about is a huge undertaking if you're only savvy with HTML. You should really use a pre built solution. It'll save you days-- if not weeks --of debugging.

But to answer your question. I would use PHP as my language, on a nice Linux server. Ahhh, Linux.

[joshua.toenyes]

Huge undertaking is right... HTML is a good beginning, but is really a poor representative of web-development as a whole. If you have a lot of time, and even more coffee... start with learning PHP. Take a course, pickup a good book on the subject at your local Barnes and Noble (or other reputable book store, so that you can look through the book before you buy it), or consider an online training center like http://www.lynda.com. And when you get stuck on something (notice I said "when" and not "if") come back to the forum where someone is always willing to help.

-Josh

[bkelly]

Thank you to each of you for taking the time to reply. I think I will start by reviewing the Yahoo and Amazon store fronts and PHP. I am hesitant to use Yahoo or Amazon packages or code as I don't want an Amazon or Yahoo URL for my site. (Why? When someone posts or replies with a Yahoo or Hotmail address, it looks like a cheap throwaway address and not somebody serious.) But maybe that opinion should be revisited.

If I am using a commercial IPS to host my site, why do I need to learn about Apache or some other server?

Is Sunny G implying that when I am ready to go public I should look for an IPS with a Linux / Unix server?

[bkelly]

Reply to drhowarddrfine and those signature links:
__________________
IE7 is 10 years behind web standards or wrong.
IE is a cancer on the web
But it works in IE!
Security experts advise to not use IE


I did take the time to chase the links. They are worth reading. I am reminded of a television movie about Gates and Microsoft where Jobs (I think) complained that he (they/Apple) had a better product and Gates responded "It doesn't matter." (or very close). Well, it seems that in the long term, it really does matter. Thanks for those links.

[slaughters]

...I am hesitant to use Yahoo or Amazon packages or code as I don't want an Amazon or Yahoo URL for my site. (Why? When someone posts or replies with a Yahoo or Hotmail address, it looks like a cheap throwaway address and not somebody serious.)....Well, call me a very not serious person who uses cheap and throwaway addresses then :)

I have my own private domain level e-mail account, I have e-mail accounts for the company I am currently working for and I have yahoo and Google.

I use my Yahoo more than any other because they have very good spam protection (Google does too) and it's easier to check up on it when I am on the road though any pc I happen to be using.

Reply to drhowarddrfine and those signature links:...Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just take the objectivity of an article titled "IE is a cancer on the web" with a little grain of salt. :) You kind of know where their stance will be before you ever read the article.