What is the most versatile back end programming language for web development? Can one language do it all? Thanks.

Hi Adam,

I don't think "most versatile" is the best criteria to be choosing a backend programming language.

In many cases your choice of back end programming languages may be limited.

For instance - If you are using a LAMP stack, you are probably going to be using php for the back end programming language.

If you are using a MEAN stack, you'll probably be using NodeJS, which probably means javascript as your backend programming language.

So, in some instances, your back end programming choice is based on the stack,

not based on being able to choose any possible back end programming language.

Other than that it usually comes down to how comfortable (and skilled) due you feel in any particular back end programming language, because the one you are most skilled in will probably be the one you are most versatile in.

Final point - many low end web hosting services (mostly Linux based) that used what is called "shared" hosting do not support getting access to the '/bin/' folder to install any language not inherently supported by that web hosting.

Php is the oldest and mostly widely available back end programming language.

It comes already installed on most low end shared web hosting services

because it is generally needed for CMS-es like Joomla and Wordpress.

In which, of course, your choice may be limited to one.

Thank you James. I can see that being an issue if I was programming for a corporation and they were already implementing a Mean Stack or a Lamp stack. If its my own personal project is that really an issue. If I am not making sense I am sorry. I am a newbie. I had to google Mean Stack and Lamp stack. Bring on the knowledge. lol.