ASP or PHP Shopping Cart Software

When it comes to shopping cart software, it can be very confusing as to what the underwritten code in all the brands is. The designation ASP and PHP float around a lot, and it can cause anxiety in an online merchant who doesn’t know the difference between the two.

ASP and PHP describe the code that’s written into the backbone of shopping cart software. They are, in essence, computer languages, much like HTML, Java, and C+. There are many advantages and disadvantages to using an ASP or PHP shopping cart program versus the other.

PHP coding is pre-installed on most any shopping cart program you can buy; the majority of shopping cart programs are written with PHP underwriting. As such, with PHP being such a well-known and oft-used program, and because it was written as an open-source program, it is definitely not immune to hackers; the security is always a little bit spotty on PHP shopping cart programs. The PHP development team has a security force on hand, however, that moves in quickly after a hack and erases that security problem. Your site can still be susceptible to data holes, and your customers may still have their information looked at if the hack is deep enough.

ASP stands for “active server pages”; ASP was written by and is compatible only with servers that run on Microsoft operating systems. ASP shopping cart systems rarely interface well with any other OS run server, and if it’s forced to run on alternate servers, it can lead to security holes and information lag. There is also a much steeper learning curve to ASP coded shopping cart systems, mostly because of the interfacing situation. The ASP system does, however, interface very well with Microsoft programs like Excel and Access, as well as many other Microsoft programs.

After narrowing down features, reliability, and pricing of shopping cart programs, and you find yourself facing either an ASP or PHP shopping cart software system, it can be a tough choice to make. Generally, PHP shopping cart software is more affordable, more secure, and easier to run than ASP software. However, ASP shopping cart software is generally fool-proof and a sure thing, as long as you’re compatible with it. Some experts say that, if you’re concerned with your bottom line and present and future compatibility, then a PHP shopping cart program should be your first and only choice. As discussed here, though, there are many reasons to choose an ASP shopping cart program. In fact, many small and large companies choose to run ASP software because, though it integrates only with Microsoft programs and systems, most servers and company computers run some type of Microsoft OS anyways.

It’s important to honestly evaluate your company and circumstances before choosing shopping cart software. Depending on your store’s size, it can be quite an investment, and it’s always best to make such investments wisely.