What are the best tools for developing web apps? 1

[jerjim]

In the past I used Visual Interdev 6.0 to develop ASP pages for a web application which accessed a Microsoft 2000 database. However, I was just using it's editor's features and Microsoft Frontpage to layout my web pages.
(This was a lot better than a text editor.) Then with Internet Information Server 5.0 on Microsoft Windows 2000,
I was able to test and deploy my ASP pages. I also found Visual Interdev's debugging features to be very helpful. I also used Visual Basic 6.0 to program components to be called from asp.

My question is: Is this the way to go in web development?
Are there better tools? I keep hearing about Macromedia Flash and I've started studying it. Also, how do I integrate Macromedia Flash with Visual Interdev to develop web pages?

Thanks in advance for any advice and tips.

 

[MerlinB]

This is always a vexing subject. There are several angles to look at:

- The location -
Flash is a client-side technology - it runs in the users browser. This makes it fairly tricky for Database-bound facilities. However, it does provide a very rich user experience.
ASP/JavaScript (and similar technologies) can run in the server and client, and is particularly good at database-bound facilities.

- The technology -
There is one or more language to learn for each technology - and the choice of language often determines so many things - speed, capability, ease of use etc. Learning this takes time and effort. So really you are asking which lingo to study. Well I suggest you dip into as many languages as possible - and then try to apply a suitable one to solve the problem.

- The environment -
You CAN develop web stuff using notepad. But most folk agree that a good editor helps. A very good editor helps a lot. VI6 is very good at code, but less good at design. Dreamweaver is excellent at design, but less good at code. Flash is very good at design too.

- The budget etc. -
Sometimes you are constrained - you must use the tools as presented by the customer. Keep your eyes open and, if you can afford it, buy or download as many things to keep you up-to-date with technology (even XSLT, if you are feeling desperate).

- You -
Are you a designer or a developer? Often (not always) a designer is not so good at code (and vica versa). Flash is primarily a design tool - but you get great results with code. So try teaming up with someone who compliments your skills.

I would recommed that you took a good look at Flash and .Net - but that you keep your ASP skills. Have a close look at Java, and XML/XSLT too. Not as exciting, but they are current hot topics and pay well.

http://www.websitedesign.co.uk

http://www.zentext.com

(Content Management)