Which software to use? 1

[ecaroh]

Hello all,

I have a huge database. These are presently kept in some 3000 simple lotus spreadsheet files, each of which hold some 2000 lines and 30 fields. I would like to develope B2B e-commerce aplications over the internet.

With my limited knowledge of older languages (fortran & basic), DBMS (approach & access) and use of the internet, I have talked to various e-commerce solution providers and am aware that different solution providers use different languages and application software to provide their solutions. That causes me some concern, as I cannot assess how good their solutions will be and what limitations they will contain.

Is there a summary and comparison source out there, which lists the various languages and software packages used for e-commerce and explains their application, as well as, sets out their pros & cons and rates their performance?

Much obliged.

 

[culshaja]

As an E-Commerce developer my main two would be ASP with SQL Server using Microsoft DNA, and Oracle using their Forms Developer Suite. the Oracle side requires more specialised developers, while the Microsoft side can have various Micrrosoft Developers with a little cross-training. The Microsoft route ties you down to their platforms and products but it is easier to develop modular solutions.
The Oracle route allows you to use various platforms and hardware, but you basically have to use their software and Java.

james James Culshaw
jculshaw@active-data-solutions.co.uk

http://www.active-data-solutions.co.uk

http://www.brainbench.com/transcript.jsp?pid=193305

 

[jnicho02]

James raises the old Oracle vs Microsoft, experience vs proliferation arguments.

Both sides have pros and cons. Oracle has a good record with larger corporations whereas Microsoft have gone for the smaller end of the market. They could very well do a 'Honda' who started with 50cc minibikes, learnt their trade then moved in on the big bike market.

However, if you have a giant database Oracle has more of a proven track record than SQL Server. This isn't to say that SQL Server is not as good.

I would also raise some questions over the security of Microsoft web technology. My home ---->

http://www.geocities.com/jnicho02/

My company ->

http://www.firstlightassociates.co.uk/

 

[svanels]

You also can go for Borlands Delphi (Pascal which is familiar to fortran)

http://www.borland.com/delphi

or Kylix (not released yet) for the application side.
Delphi is for a Windows Environment, while Kylix is targetting the Linux/Unix platforms.

For RDBMS you could use Oracle, SQL server, or if you have a limited budget choose Interbase (free opensource)

http://www.borland.com/interbase/

Check out the links, for more information.

Regards S. van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr

 

[ecaroh]

culshaja, junicho02 & svanels,

Thanks for the response, but I'm not much the wiser though. I wish someone could maintain a chart, with the languages and applications on one side and the usefullness, pros, cons and resource needs on the other. Perhaps a user rating could also be incorporated. It will be really helpful for a non-professional computer user, like me, cause I have lost count of the many hours and dollars wasted in just trying to find out more about each new development. I also understand that even computer professionals have similar difficulties, as I have met many who are not much wiser than me. So, why can't we save a bit of time for a whole lot of people?

Perhaps tek-tips can take up this challenge.

 

[MikeJones]

I'd check out thread186-52269

for a previous discussion about Oracle Vs Microsoft Server...