I got my toes wet with PHP and mySQL, but instead of charging ahead and getting my hands and neck wet, I'm going to step back and spend the rest of the semester studying the different programming languages, databases, and considerations one must evaluate when embarking on a web software development project.
I would like answer the question, "I want to build a web software application. What do I need to consider before diving into it?"
1. programming language
Compare and contrast, outline the different options. PHP, Perl, Java, ASP, XML, Ruby....others?
2. database
MS vs. MySQL, Oracle, text file, others?
3. servers / hosting
Apache, UNIX
4. definitions -- understand the following:
APIs, object-oriented, service-oriented architecture, representational state transfer. Others probably
I will blog my progress. I know there is no one truth and there will be lots of differing opinions, and that will make it interesting.