hi,

what are the various languages that can be used in web database design? what are the issues involved (pros and cons) involved in the use of one language/script?

the target pc's are various... linux, unix, and windows...

Well, to put it simply, when working with a Linux-based server (probably UNIX too like the *BDS's) using PHP and MySQL to develop your site is the best choice. PHP and MySQL are usually included with all distros and are usually installed and setup on webhosts who use Linux. Whats nice about PHP and MySQL is that they are free tools to use. PHP's parser can be downloaded and compiled for free - the same with MySQL. Free Tools basically.

Now, with Windows machines, it is possible to use MySQL and PHP, but they are rough to install and setup and getting to work with IIS. Installing Apache on the Windows server is possible and would work better with PHP and MySQL than IIS.

Now, if you were to go with an all out Windows setup for your web-database. Using ASP and MSSQL would be the best bet. Both are web-database development languages and tools developed by Microsoft. So they both work well with IIS. Though, I believe MSSQL costs money and maybe the ASP paser.

In comparison, there aren't many differences between PHP and ASP in the jobs they do. Both are scripting languages designed to build a dynamic web-site. Same deal goes for MySQL and MSSQL. There are differences yes. They don't follow the same design/function/whatever ideas. But what two languages are exactly alike?

Anyway, that is my 3 cents on web-database design and language choice.

Personally, I enjoy Linux/Apache with PHP and MySQL. Excellent free documentation, and loads of support from anywhere on the web.

I would say it depends of the size and complexity of your project. If you have a simple database and a small website, I would suggest taking the MySQL/PHP road.

However, if you have a considerable database and a large website, I would suggest considering the Java struts platform. Read more about it at http://jakarta.apache.org/struts.
This is platform independant and can deal with any database you want.

We are using struts (on an oracle db) at the moment and it hasn't let us down yet.

In conclusion:
simple project = PHP/MySQL
complex project = struts

Hope this helps you out.

how do i convert a tabbed text file to a database that can be queried? or can it be queried directly?