On 03/07/07, Stut <stuttle@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Darren Whitlen wrote: > Dan wrote: >> I'm looking for a way to introduce PHP to some Delphi programmers, so >> I thought a comparison would show them the major differences, but I >> can't find anything like that on the web. Anyone have an article like >> that or know of one? >> >> - Dan > > There's a HUGE list of differences, as they are 2 completely different > languages designed for completely different reasons. One is compiled, > and for desktop software, while the other is scripted and designed to > only output text. > > It really is like comparing apples to oranges. I must disagree with that. Firstly, most programming languages share similar constructs and can therefore be compared at the syntax level regardless of the intended purpose. Secondly Delphi was not designed for "desktop software" - I've developed many a Windows service with it.
Fair enough, syntax you can compare. By "desktop software" (OK bad terminology by me there) I mean full blown apps like an office suite, photoshop or a music composition app for example. Creating such an app using PHP just wouldn't be possible without a LOT of serious work, most likely using C for extra extensions. Lastly, and most importantly, you mean interpreted not scripted and PHP
was in no way specifically designed for nor is it limited to outputting text only.
Yes, I do mean interpreted. Honestly, I've tried and am still trying to use PHP as an all round language. But unlike delphi, it just can't output a native GUI on each OS. This leaves it outputting only text (either via CLI or embeded into a webpage). Yes OK it can output graphics using GD by writing it to files, but then you have to have another app to display the image. Darren: Set yourself free and stop imposing artificial limits on technology. I'm hoping that explaining I have tied to use PHP in other ways might make you take that back ;) Darren Dan: A more logical comparison would be Pascal against PHP since the
whole IDE aspect that Delphi adds to Pascal, and the control library, are not really relevant to any sensible comparison. However, as far as the control library goes the closest thing PHP has would be PEAR. -Stut -- http://stut.net/
