I use ColdFusion here at a department within the University of Maryland, and I'm perfectly satisfied with it. I have managed web sites as an intern and professionally for the last 7 years. I learned ColdFusion relatively quickly after only skimming through sections of O'Reilly's "ColdFusion."

I've had to do various transitions such as importing data, setting up tables, switching database formats, re-programming apps from the ground up, writing a search engine, adding new apps, etc. Our site now hosts 600 pages, and about 300 of them are CF-driven. If I had to re-write the code for all those pages in another language just because my boss wanted to save money I'd quit my job. Re-writing several years' worth of code is an elephant of a project no matter how good you are.

Regardless of how much support PHP has out there, you'd have to learn the new language syntax from scratch and THEN re-write everything. If you're dealing with a lot of pages, it'd cost your boss just as much money to pay you to re-write the code as it would to just keep CF.

To be perfectly honest, if cost is really a problem tell your boss not to upgrade the server software. Problem solved.

Jose

I know

-Jose Galdamez

Take a look at http://www.adobe.com/devnet/coldfusion/articles/php_cfmx.html

It seemed from this article by Tom Muck that ColdFusion code can be much smaller and more intuitive. Below is a Summary from his article...
"Summary

PHP is certainly a viable technology to build Web applications, but for PHP programmers who wish to make the change to ColdFusion, the transition can be an easy one.

You'll find that applications that once took days can be done in hours, and calls to third-party modules can be a thing of the past. CFML is a versatile language that is self-contained, easy-to-learn, and promotes rapid application development.

Also, with the new additions of JSP tag libraries, ColdFusion Components, XML functionality, and web services in ColdFusion MX, ColdFusion is more versatile than ever before."

-Aaron

I came to this site to help me figure out what I wanted to use for my site similiar to a Facebook/Myspace, the choice was ColdFusion or PHP. After reading this page both sides have good arguments and I still can't make up my mind, but I do need a web developer so if anyone with a good resume is looking for work I need a site made that is similar to Facebook and Myspace with a media twist

-Steve

Trap Feedbacker
Coldfusion Vs. Php

First of as a guy that has used both languages I would say,

1. Coldfusion s good for its remoting gateway and flex builds. CFC's are very handy.

2. PHP has great frameworks for RAD style builds and has alot of free stuff that is good.

I would suggest if your boss wants you to explore PHP do it. Explore it and learn it. Take a look at CakePHP and I can assure you that you will be looking at saving time on many apps you build.

When it comes down to it all languages are not equal.

You need to understand each and what they are good for because your time is more expensive than a coldfusion license or a Zend Platform license or IIS and MSSQL license.

Every language has good things and bad things.

Also look at your future. DO you want to limit yourself and not learn PHP and what a 3rd of the internet runs on ?

Web Developer
Coldfusion Vs. Php

Replying to Trap FeedBacker

I'm taking over a job that's in Cold Fusion but we use PHP. Looks like we'll keep the project in CF rather than start over again. I can't imagine there being too much difference in the languages.

To the guy that was looking for a developer, check out our site, www.Fernwoodtech.Com

Cheers

Jade.

-reply by Jade Wood

Replying to kvarnerexpress
I have never used PHP only Coldfusion. However, since Adobe bought CF, it has been exploding. Check out the new features of CF 8. I could be wrong, but I don't think you are going to find PDF manipulation or interaction with MS Exchange servers with free server technologies.

-reply by da_roc

It seems ColdFusion is faster then PHP
Coldfusion Vs. Php

I love PHP and wouldn't chose any program above PHP but when it comes to performance! PHP HOGS resources when it comes to multiple users. I'm only a beginner, IIS is okay and Apache is Okay, the main issue what each would do with limited resources that in itself is business model...

I think, instead of allowing us building scrips to run on servers, they should build a framework, that actually run's the server itself that way it eliminates the use of the server searching for a third party to run the program...


-reply by Lutchy Horace

Replying to Trap FeedBacker

ColdFusion is horrid.

And PHP shouldn't be a resource hog unless you are running it CGI mode instead of as an Apache module. Also...Windows/IIS combo is the worst.

-reply by Sam H4xXx