Need advise: confused programmer

[Tea_J]

hi,

I've been developing in PHP for over 2 years now. ALthough I still dont concider myself an expert, i've been comfortable and quite able to do whatever i need so far (except for image manipulation stuffs which i have no experience with yet).

Any how, my problem is, im kinda torn between good old hard coding and using PHP applications builders such as appGini and apwab (ASP/PHP Application Builder).

Although nothing beats hard coding, these softwares do have a great point. When developing an application it offers SPEED, ACCURACY, and EFFICIENCY. These softwares produce PHP codes that are very professional. With a few tweaks and modifications here and there, it can really be what you would have hard coded, or even better - and it can fit your gui, website, etc.

So im rather confused.. should I start using these softwares? Or continue coding.. i like both.. i wana maintain hard coding so that I can keep myself up to date and not become a Wizards dummy. However, it does take so much time and effort when you code. Not to mention them inevitable bugs you got to hunt for.

So i wana hear from the experts. Do you guys use these softwares? is it really OK? Please tell me somthing that I can reflect on.

Thank you

Tea

[Weedpacket]

I've never heard of them; helped devlop one or two things along those lines. The only sensible answer is "whatever turns you on the most". (Unless you count "whichever one sees you paying me money".)

[Tea_J]

well, how bout codecharge.com.. it seems to be a popular code generation tool..
What turns me on? Well, I wouldnt mind making things easier with using them tools.. However, the easiest isnt really the best way you know..

take HTML development for example.... i never really let go of hardcoding my pages even when there were website builders around.. coz i "knew" they were'nt good enough.. not until DreamWeaver came out.. then I moved to visual based HTML WYSIWYG development..

Now in regards to PHP/programming applications, like i admitted... i dont consider myself an expert and i dont know if these tools are used by "PROFESSIONALS" or by them noobies and script kiddies who want to look pro.. do you get what I mean?

Like i said. i am confused. :D

Tea

[Elizabeth]

I guess it all depends on if you're being paid by the hour on a contracted basis. If you're being paid by the hour then efficiency probably outweighs "clean code" as it enables you to keep your projects competitively priced (and I doubt if your client would even know the difference.)

However, if you're in an industry where clean code is the most important thing because you're working as a part of a team, or you want to update the site later on, etc. etc.... then in this case I would hard code to make things as clean as possible.

[tekky]

3rd option, just finding an editor that hilites syntax for you to make trouble shooting that much easier....

IE, if strings are green and after one point EVERYTHING is green... well you jacked up a " or ' somewhere on the first green line....

textpad works good for that (in my opinion)

[Moonglobe]

but tekky know's better than to go there, as there are threads upon threads on the subject :p (search 'favo(u)rite editor' (the "(u)" is for us canadians (and you british too)))

[tekky]

Originally posted by Moonglobe
but tekky know's better than to go there....

bah, knowing... doing... hmmm I know there's some catch I'm suppose to say... o-well :D

I still stick by my suggestion... decent editor + hand coding (not hard coding :p)

[Tea_J]

well, i do have Zend Studio which is just awsome and i love it. But im still pondering about these applications since im pretty sure it uses more efficient codes and stuff than what a "hand code".. for one, it uses Object Oriented principles, and I still use Function based, old fashion stuff. Still cant get the hang of OOP

Tea

[tekky]

Hehe, OOP is a PITA, but I gotta figure it out too.... (writing some server type includes for another non PHP project and OOP is the more obvious solution even though I prefer as you said, function based old style :p

[Tea_J]

yeah, you too huh??? I love function based programming.. although i dont deny that OOP is much more efficient. but im just so comfortable with function based.. and plus, i can do just about anything I want with that style.. OOP isnt a solution.. it's a method to a solution.. but then again.. it's the new standard... i dont know.. i guess im also confused on that aspect. lolz


Tea