Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Programming Discussion : HELP Please

[festeris]

Hi,
I was running an auction site w/ no problem for 2 weks, then my server shut it down.
He claims that because it's written in PL and not PHP it's causing theserver to go haywire. Is this possible? Should I install a new script or keep script and move to an honest server? Thanks,Nick

[X-TechMedia]

I didn't think there was that much difference between perl and php, but im prob completly wrong though!

Ask your host what prof he has that its your script

[Dan L]

There is a large difference between PHP and Perl. The only similarity is that PHP uses a few things from perl, such as Perl-Compatible Regular Expressions. (preg_ functions)

Now, I doubt you were shut down strictly because of the language the script was coded in. If so, I would suggest moving.

However, you should ask if there was another reason. For instance, a bad section of code could have caused it to use 10%+ of the server resources, which, in this case, would merit a new script.

I would ask for a more complete explanation.

[Akyriel]

Depends on your host and his server configuration.

PERL is most often run as a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) module on the server - so any code needs to spawn a new process on the server - run through execution - then die. If your code, for instance, has multiple database connections, includes etc... this could eat up system resources especially if you have a high traffic site.

PHP is mostly run as a module or service rather than a CGI on the server - meaning it runs "in process" with the server and doesn't spawn a new process for each request. - This saves system resources.

This is why some forms of CGI programs (PERL, C, C++, COBOL, FORTRAN) are not used anymore - though there are still lots of CGI scripts (PERLScripts) running on servers still today.

Your host may not have the resources necessary to run efficiently using CGI programming.

[xxtyderxx]

I would move to an honest server if I were you...

[AlexV]

Without having looked at the script source, it is hard to say whether your host is telling the truth or not. I have seen scripts which brought down very powerful servers; in all cases the programmer was to blame. If the host really is telling the truth, I'm sure the script can be reprogrammed properly (especially since it is in Perl).

[festeris]

Firstly thank you all for your posts!

So....let me get this straight. It may be the script, the server, or the programmer behind the script.

So in short, if script is no good it wil drain resources on my new server anyway...right

The real issue is I don't want to lose the design I had already. I've looked at many of these PHP auction scripts and they seem powerful in features but really not much to look at design wise.

So here's another question. Say I go to an auction script dealer and purchase their script will it cost me an arm and a leg to hire someone to customize it, or can I do most of it myself thru Admin. panel.

Thanks in advance...Nick

[AlexV]

Depends on the script. Some will allow you to do quick and easy customizations using an administration panel or template files, however some will make you edit the source code manually. Some will even encrypt the source code so no modification will be possible or release it under a very restricted license. If the script's source is not encrypted and the author doesn't have some odd license which would prohibit you from editing the source, I'm sure you can find someone to customize it for under $50.

You may even wish to post in the employment forums to see if anyone is willing to create a script completely to your liking.