I have been very impressed with php after 2 weeks of tinkering with it (for the first time). The limitation is this only works on a server. php is not java or javascript. I can't write a program and hand it to you. I have to present any powerful features I am capable of coding from an installation of a server. I like it. All programming is a metaphor and php is about approaching problems from a completely different angle than solving a problem by making a desktop application.