What Programming Language should i use for my Health Startup

3 points by udswagz 11 years ago | 10 comments

We are currently working to create our MVP for our health startup, we want to choose between PHP and Python for the webservice API. Its a web application that is going to use a lot of AngularJS and get information from the server. Please i will need comments from experienced programmers. Thank you in advance.

posnet 11 years ago |

The startup I currently work for uses Python/Django + angular quite sucessfully, though if you want realtimy functionality I would look at something like NodeJS (with express or sails) as they have more convinient web socket support.

rahimnathwani 11 years ago |

Is the API the most important part of your MVP? Why not just focus on the parts of your product which are most risky (probably the front-end, user-facing part?)?

You could use something like Firebase for your API if your needs are not too complex, and then re-visit the back-end architecture decision once you've somewhat validated your MVP. https://www.firebase.com/docs/web/libraries/angular/quicksta...

hkarthik 11 years ago |

Python /w Flask is probably the best technical fit.

PHP would make sense only if you have someone on your team that is already quite familiar with it and knows a number of PHP developers that you can hire to build out a team later on.

But Python developers with web development experience can be harder to find, depending on where you are geographically located. PHP web developers are everywhere, but the quality of talent varies greatly.

udswagz 11 years ago | |

there are a lot of PHP developers around my location but a lot of them are not really that good.

anton_gogolev 11 years ago |

This will come off as arrogance, but I don't feel like you have any kind of technical experience. "Looking cool" has nothing to do with the OS, programming language or technology stack you're using.

Now, to answer your question: pick whatever you're most comfortable with. Software startups fail not because they are built with PHP instead of NodeJS, but for entirely other reasons.

kao98 11 years ago | |

Use your energy to look for good developer / architect. Then let him/them choose their favorite technical stack.

weddpros 11 years ago |

I'd choose node.js for the API. Using the same language on both the server and client can be a big plus. It makes context switching much easier for devs...

Then choose between Javascript, Coffeescript or Typescript.

kao98 11 years ago |

IMHO both Python and PHP could do the job well. Let the developer use their favorite language as they will work more efficiently with it.

gnarbarian 11 years ago |

Python. Use whichever version has the best library support for what you plan on interfacing.

saluki 11 years ago |

Go with the Laravel framework (PHP).

Just curious, are you planning on using TrueVault?

Good luck in 2015.