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NDBounce · Jul 22, 2003, 04:30 PM

I am considering setting up an old mac as a web server, mostly for kicks, and to learn how such a thing is done, etc. etc.

My question is this: can a Mac support ASP?

I did a quick google search at work (hence it was quick) and found some headlines about Apache-ASP, so I am not certain if this means that OS X can support ASP with some tweaking.

I ask this as I really only know ASP, JavaScript and HTML (w/CSS). I would like to see if I can make a personal toy site just for the satisfaction of doing it. It seemed that PERL was somehow involved in the Apache-ASP thing. While I am not opposed to learning new languages, I was really curious as to whether I can reuse my ASP code.

Anyway, if someone can shed some light for me I would appreciate it.

Eventually I hope I can get around to this hobby, It is on my to do list along with learn PHP, CGI and PERL.

Peace,

O
B unce!

clam2000 · Jul 22, 2003, 05:02 PM

apache, the webserver that comes with most linux distros and mac os X will allow asp code to run via perl. look at http://www.apache-asp.org/ for more information.

if you are using macosX all you need to do is:
perl -MCPAN -e shell
cpan> install CPAN
cpan> install Bundle::Apache::ASP

if you have mac os <=9 this isn't an option sadly, your best bet is to load a version of linux onto the machine.

if it is a powerpc i recommend gentoo (http://www.gentoo.org )
if it isn't a powerpc there is mklinux (http://www.mklinux.org )

hope that helps

--will

mzllr · Jul 22, 2003, 08:03 PM

there is also chili soft ASP.... i haven't looked into it too much but i'm pretty sure you can use straight ASP code...

mania · Jul 22, 2003, 08:18 PM

you dont really want to do this. php is much better anyway and comes with your apache that is on os x. www.php.net.

mzllr · Jul 22, 2003, 09:33 PM

yeah, but if he already has pages written in ASP there are ways to still use them....

but i do agree, php is the way to go...

Arkham_c · Jul 22, 2003, 09:43 PM

Another option is jsp. If you know ASP, it's not a big jump to jsp. With tomcat, running jsp code on OSX is a snap.

redJag · Jul 22, 2003, 09:43 PM

Not only that, but a lot of people like ASP (maybe not so many developers, but higher ups

). The more skills on your skill-set, the better. Although I'd definitely say PHP is a must

derbs · Jul 23, 2003, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by mania:
you dont really want to do this. php is much better anyway and comes with your apache that is on os x. www.php.net.

why do you say that?

philzilla · Jul 23, 2003, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by derbs:
why do you say that?

i'm inclined to agree, sometimes, for the simple reason that you can use php on pretty much any server, as opposed to just on a windoze box. it's a more easily transferrable skill to have, as a developer.

but then, there's the times when i have to work for a client who's hosted on a windoze box and provides me with an Access db to work with. ugh.

so, it pays to know your way around both, whether you want to, or not. (same as knowing your way around some basic perl)

Arkham_c · Jul 23, 2003, 12:27 PM

ASP is a Windows-centric solution. With PHP or JSP (I prefer JSP personally), you can run on Windows, UNIX, Linux, or MacOS X.

Don't lock yourself into a single platform if you can help it. That's one of the great things about java -- write once, run anywhere is a reality for server applications.

derbs · Jul 24, 2003, 04:40 AM

I agree with you guys on the cross platform/open source thing. But i once tried to set up a mysql DB and connect to it with PHP, and just gave up. The thing is just too hard to configure, compared to MS SQL server.

And creating databases - what do you guys use? The command line, or is there some sort of GUI front end you can use?

philzilla · Jul 24, 2003, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by derbs:
And creating databases - what do you guys use? The command line, or is there some sort of GUI front end you can use?

i usually start with the CLI for a small db, but for larger stuff, i use phpMyAdmin

Arkham_c · Jul 24, 2003, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by derbs:
I agree with you guys on the cross platform/open source thing. But i once tried to set up a mysql DB and connect to it with PHP, and just gave up. The thing is just too hard to configure, compared to MS SQL server.

And creating databases - what do you guys use? The command line, or is there some sort of GUI front end you can use?

I use SQLGrinder. It's still a SQL interface, but it's got a really awesome schema browser, it saves queries, and it supports Oracle, Sybase, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and others.

mzllr · Jul 24, 2003, 02:50 PM

And creating databases - what do you guys use? The command line, or is there some sort of GUI front end you can use?

i use CocoaMySQL... no particular reason why, i just like it...

and for anyone who has leftover asp code that they would like to switch over to php, i found this... plus it's free, and free is good.