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Glossary of Terms Web Application Engines

Web App Platform/Interpreter/API

Web Application Engines are extensions to web servers that process/interpret web application code. Some app engines are built into various web servers others must be installed.

App Engine Tip

  • Carefully select your application platform. While all engines can accomplish nearly identical functionality some will be a better fit for where you are and where your web future will be.

Popular Web App Engines

  • CGI Scripts (Perl,C/C++,PHP) The first and still widely used web app, built into practically every web server
  • ColdFusion Very popular scaleable web app. Can be purchased for most UNIX and WinNT servers
  • ASP (Active Server Pages) Microsoft's version of a scaleable engine. Built into Microsoft IIS
  • Java Servlets/JSP (Java Server Pages) Newer, very powerful engine. Built into some web servers can be purchased for others.