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Lawrence Saliba
2,924 PointsWhich is the most viable option for back-end development covered here? taking a Java or PHP/MySQL course
Hi I'm interested in taking JAVA as I see it as a very powerful, very versatile language. After I finish the front end web development course that is (as I am mostly interested in web development but will consider other options in the future). My question: Is the JAVA course offered here suitable for web development especially back-end? Or Is the PHP/MySQL course a more viable option at this time? Or is it just a matter of preference?
Thanks
Lawrence Saliba
2,924 PointsThanks for your prompt reply Alex.
alex gwartney
8,849 PointsYour welcome
Matt S
1,497 PointsI have done a bit of research on this, and I would second Alex's response.
If you're looking at developing strictly for the web, then as Alex said, do the Front-End Development track, then full-stack Javascript to start off as a minimum.
Here's a post off of the Treehouse blog about choosing a programming language:
http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/choose-programming-language
From what I have read, I haven't seen too much talks on Java STRICTLY for web dev. I have seen more on PHP and Ruby for the web. For software and apps (Android), then lots of talk on Java.
I state this is just what I have read.
1 Answer
Jonathan Petersen
45,721 PointsYou are right that Java is very powerful, and a very versatile language. I have used Java for client side apps, web app backends, Android apps, and even embedded on the Raspberry Pi and Beaglebone Black. Typically I would strongly recommend interested people learn Java, but please read my answer below...
Right now choose PHP
The addition of Java courses to Treehouse is a relatively recent event. Therefore, they have a lot more PHP and PHP related content. (Wordpress) I don't want to chase you away from Java, but if you are going to use Treehouse as your ONLY learning resource and you want to build a web app, then go with PHP at this time.
For most projects, it is a matter of preference, but it is easier to get started with PHP. If you are going to publicly hosting your app, then you need to know that it is harder to find Java web hosting. I have used Daily Razor in the past, but these days I almost always use Amazon Web Services, which makes hosting a non-issue.
If you do go with PHP then be sure to check out Laravel, I have built a couple apps with Laravel, and it is nice.
Later Move to Java
I don't think they have anything about Java web development yet. The Java content that they do have is good, Craig Dennis does an excellent job, I believe they recently hired a new Java teacher, and they have added some useful topics to the content roadmap. (Spring)
I like Java, SpringMVC, Hibernate, and Gradle on Tomcat for my backend development. With AngularJS, Zurb Foundation, and Saas for the frontend. There is a fairly steep learning curve for this tech, but it is worth it. If I have a choice for a new project, this is what I use.
I hope this helps.
Lawrence Saliba
2,924 PointsThanks all for the insight :)
alex gwartney
8,849 Pointsalex gwartney
8,849 Pointswell i cant exactly speak on java being a solution for back end development as i have not done it . But as far as learning php is a matter of preference. You should also look into taking the java script full stack course and learn express and mongo to work on back end and move into the mean stack development. That is what im working and i have liked it ever since.