Question

This is my first post.

I know this topic has been discussed before in this forum, but since I couldnt find any new
posts regarding this and I didnt quite find the answers I am looking for, I am posting the
query here.

I have been looking around the web, to collect information about using php-mysql for
desktop application. i have searched the web and done it more thoroughly in this forum.
I have collected things of interest and many things remain that I need to know.

What I came to know is that, desktop applications can be built with php.

i would like to keep the debates aside as to whether its the best combiantion for desktop
application.

Now I have come across many frameworks/tools to do the job.

These are:

• php-gtk2
• php-winbinder
• appcelerator titanium desktop
• easyphp
• php-qt
• phpdock
• quickphp
• innosetup
• Open Application Framework
• silverlight
• adobe air
• RIA
• etc, etc

Now I mainly need to build a business accounting and maintenance application. It requires a
database. Thus I have planned to do it in php-mysql.

Now my quesries are –

1. Does php-gtk2 support database handling?
2. Is it recommended to go for php-gtk2 since no update has been released for a long time?
3. Will php-webinder be better that php-gtk2?
4. People have suggested Appcelerator Titanium Desktop, but I cant seem to find any
   documentation for desktop development. All are for mobile platform.
5. Which one should I go for windows binaries or browser based? I have an inclination for
   browser based one.
6. Can I use css, javascript/jquery with these tools?
7. Maybe sometime in the future I need to use some kind of web service from this app, so will that be possible easily?

I will post further queries as I get along.

But please help me by answering these questions in a detailed manner, as the fate of the project depends on these questions.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Does php-gtk2 support database handling?

No. It is a GUI extension. PHP supports database handling.

Is it recommended to go for php-gtk2 since no update has been released for a long time?

Subjective.

Will php-webinder be better that php-gtk2?

Subjective.

People have suggested Appcelerator Titanium Desktop, but I cant seem to find any documentation for desktop development. All are for mobile platform.

It took me about a minute to find the documentation for it.

Which one should I go for windows binaries or browser based?

Subjective

Can I use css, javascript/jquery with these tools?

Depends on the tool.

Maybe sometime in the future I need to use some kind of web service from this app, so will that be possible easily?

Possible? Yes.

Easily? That’s a bit subjective. I’m not a fan of the APIs I’ve seen for PHP to make HTTP requests.