Question from newbie, which code is best?

[buffalopc7]

Hi,
I'm not new to basic coding and design, but until now, I haven't needed to go further into coding. Now, i'm in the midst of hiring someone to code a new site for me, a ratings site that has a numerical average composite score (based on member's ratings on 15 items) combined with a composite score that is the average of numerical values assigned to ratings that are not numerical, but are instead, words (for example, a five point scale, from unacceptable to very acceptable). I hope this makes sense, the coder i'm trying to work with seems to understand the concept, but he has asked if I would expect him to code in php/jsp? Also, he asked what the database will be. I've used Excel, but I wonder if it wouldn't be savvy enough for the site to organize data in Excel. Sorry to ask what are probably basic questions, but I need to know in order to have this site run the way I want it to. In addition, if it helps, members will have to register, but will vote anonymously and will only be allowed to vote based on their area code, in order to assign teh scoring to that area only. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated!!!

[IslaScotts]

well 1) is this site being hosted locally from the company server 2) if so what server software are you running 3) if not where is it being hosted

[littleFella]

If someone asks you "what the database will be" and you answer "excel" then it doesn't look good. While I don't have a lot of respect for MySQL, this is what you would be best advised to use. Large user base and great community support will make your life easier.

As for the choice between jsp and php; it's a "religious" question .

[buffalopc7]

Originally Posted by littleFella

If someone asks you "what the database will be" and you answer "excel" then it doesn't look good. While I don't have a lot of respect for MySQL, this is what you would be best advised to use. Large user base and great community support will make your life easier.

As for the choice between jsp and php; it's a "religious" question .

Yep, you are absolutely right. Sorry to have put that question out there, i'm familiar with pc's, operating systems, etc., but until now hadn't needed to know anything regarding scripting for the web. We've decided on Php and MySQL. Thanks for the responses, the forums are extraordinarily helpful!