My background - Classic ASP developer using DW 8 (can up upgrade to CS4), Access Database.
Ok, i have the task of re-designing/developing our existing e-commerce website. The site is doing very well, but at some point it's going to need a revamp. It needs a new look (web 2.0 style) and a new, more robust database.
My first thoughts were to use MySQL (cus it's free) and i have already migrated all the tables from Access to MySQL. I realsise i need to work out how the Access DB Queries migrate over to MySQL and that some data types vary a little, so there still some work to do.
My dilema is, do i continue with MySQL and iron out all the issues along the way or do i go for MS SQL instead. I have no experience with either DB really and i'm wondering which is going to prove the least troublesome in the long run.
Now for the programming languase. Do i stick with what i know? (Classic ASP) or do i get to grips with .net, php, Coldfusion?
I don't have any issue with staying with classic ASP, so long as the migration and the end result is robust.
Decisions, decisions......
I'd appreciate you're thoughts and your own experiences.
Thanks in advance
Andy

Hi Andy,

I recently was going through the same!

For the database part I decided to swith from MS Access to MS SQL, because it is very similar to Access, easy to maintain, especially with the SQL Server Management Studio.
About the programming language. I think it is wise to learn another language besides Classic ASP. I tried ASP.NET but I found it hard to learn. PHP is easier to understand, coming from Classic ASP. CF is outdated so I would not advice that. I still think ASP.NET is something to learn!

Kind regards, Patrick

Thanks Patrick
Yes i think you're right about .net I've dipped my toe in but didn't really get stuck in to it. Then Dreamweaver stopped supporting it which made me think that it may not be the way forward. However, it is a language that is being used more and more so maybe i should put more effort in.
As you say, PHP may be the way forward as, again, it's becoming more common.
I'm going to take a good look at both MySQl and MS SQL. I'm guessing you only find out which is most suitable when you get your hands dirty.
Any other suggestions very welcome.
Regards
Andy

Hi Andy,

Good luck on your decision which way to go.

Kind regards, Patrick