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What are JavaScript, PHP and Perl?

Since the HTML/CSS mixture is comparable to the data located in a Word file, it is good only for exhibiting information.

happy-computer-guyIf you want your web pages to do different things based on the scenario, you’ll want a programming language. For example, some sites want to supply a membership facility where individuals can log into the website, and get certain advice. Other websites provide a feedback form so that visitors can contact them. All these matters require facilities a straightforward document format cannot do.

JavaScript, PHP and Perl are three of the most commonly-used programming languages on the web. They can be used by websites to carry out more complex operations.

Programs written in JavaScript run in the web browser itself, so if your site has a JavaScript application, the program will be automatically fetched by your visitor’s browser and executed on his/her computer. PHP and Perl applications, on the other hand, run on the computer where your website is situated, that’s, on your web host’s computer. After the PHP or Perl program does what it should do, it sends the result to the visitor’s web browser, which just displays the results.

Aside from the preceding difference, from the standpoint of a non-programmer, there is not much point asking what the difference is between the languages, say, between PHP and Perl. It would be like asking what the difference is between English and German, or some other human language. They are merely different languages you can use to write internet-based programs. Each computer language has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Learning a programming language is enormously different from creating a site whether with a web editor or directly in HTML. Although I’ve tutorials for things like learning to write programs in PHP (and the other languages), many people would find programming a difficult endeavor, unless they already have a programming background or an inclination towards programming.

For the most part, it isn’t necessary to learn JavaScript, PHP or Perl to create your site. The truth is, even if you’d like your website to do complex things, you can frequently find pre-written applications to do the job for you without your having to dabble in programming. For instance, if you need a feedback form on your web site, just use thesitewizard.com’s Feedback Form Wizard to generate one yourself. It’s going to create a customized script for you — all you need would be to stop up and play. (Note: if you’re using one of my internet editor tutorial series above, this is educated in one of the later chapters.)

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