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Mandy Feeney
17,499 PointsHTML vs. PHP
Is there much need for developing sites with the html extension these days? When you can just use php files to create all the html and structure your site needs, as well as being able to include files like headers and footers. It does seem pointless to like develop a site with the .php just to only have includes be your only php code.
So to the point, I recently just got a client (technically my first client that I am actually getting paid for), though I have yet to create the requirements document, the client has went over with me the basic type of site he requires... which is mostly textual based, to promote his company, only other thing that stands out is that he would like an application form on it to allow people to apply for a loan from his company online. So whether or not I should develop it in html or using php files is sort of in the back of my mind.
I also need to consider how I will get the client to make changes to the site to update content once the site is built.
Thoughts?
1 Answer
Tom Bedford
15,645 PointsPHP is extremely useful even at a very basic level for header/footer includes, I'd recommend going with that. It does mean that you need a server to test the site while you're building it (ideally a localserver running on your own machine).
There are programs like Hammer (mac only) that let you develop with HTML and use includes without PHP. The program then compiles the code before you upload it.
PHP is a popular method used to send forms from websites and Treehouse has courses which cover that.
If the client wants to make changes to content (text or images) themselves you will need a content management system like Perch or WordPress. Both of these require your site to be using PHP. Alternatively your client can request that you make changes in which case you can code the new content and upload it.
Sounds like everything is coming up PHP on this one.
Mandy Feeney
17,499 PointsMandy Feeney
17,499 PointsThanks for the response, My first thought was that this site is relatively small in what work is needed to be done. so would there be a need for php. But since developing in PHP for over a year now at Uni, I have seen benefits in all areas.
The client definitely mentioned he wants to make changes to text and such over time. For my first client (non-paid due to it being a part of the college coursework) the way we got the client to manage their site after it was live was to go over with the client how to make changes to the files themselves... which really doesn't seem practical to me anymore.
I have yet to use WordPress, but it does seems like the better option for this client. I might just have to learn it quickly.