Perens' 2006 PHP forecast
I just read Bruce Perens' Forecasts for 2006 via PHPDeveloper.org. This one's sure to rock the PHP boat… Perens predicts trouble for PHP, rooted in its security problems and the lack of software development skills on the part of many developers. An example he used is that alot of PHP programmers don't utilize design patterns. I see his point, but I don't think it's all doom and gloom for PHPers.
The language and community are maturing. Regardless of what has caused security problems for PHP, I think it's a good thing that the topic is getting so much ink lately. Design patterns also received quite a bit of attention this year, with several new books, conference sessions, web articles, blog posts, frameworks and more spreading the good word. The PHP newbie of 2005 likely learned their craft quite differently than the class of 2004.
"Ruby on Rails is a breakthrough in lowering the barriers of entry to programming. Powerful web applications that formerly might have taken weeks or months to develop can be produced in a matter of days." - Tim O'Reilly, Founder of O'Reilly Media
I was at Open Source Events' PHP Security conference in Vancouver earlier this year, and Perens was the keynote speaker. I remember him saying that he thought Ruby on Rails was the best thing to come along to web development in quite a while. I've never used Rails or Ruby, so I am certainly not speaking from experience, but I have a feeling that the reported ease of using the framework is going to encourage alot of non-computer science types to dive in and start building apps. Does Ruby or Ruby on Rails enforce or otherwise encourage intelligent application design? (I don't know, I'm actually asking.) If not, doesn't Ruby risk eventually winding up in quandary similar to the one that Perens claims PHP is in?
December 27th, 2005 at 10:25 am
I was wondering the same thing about Ruby on Rails after reading his prediction about PHP. I hope Bruce addresses this in an article or blog entry soon as I am thinking about choosing either RoR or PHP for a development project. I know some PHP, but haven't invested enough time it in that I wouldn't be willing to abandon it for RoR. However, if it turns out to be six of one or a half-dozen of another, why shouldn't I just stick with PHP.
December 27th, 2005 at 9:57 pm
Thanks for your comment, Chaim! With any job, I think it will come down to what tool is best suited for it. Considering the huge inroads PHP has made with the enterprise world this past year, I'm certainly nowhere close to jumping ship, but I am excited to see Ruby and PHP duke it out some more in 2006.
January 6th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Programming Logic and Design
I had some spare time in a mall earlier this week and strolled into a London Drugs. They sell alot more than drugs, let me tell you! In fact, London Drugs has quite a large computer section (Mac too!) I found a display table piled high with discount c…