PHP
Thanks to open-source, One can have practically everything for free in a computer. Although some advises against this because of possible viruses and spywares, you just have to look for a trusted source while sticking to your firewalls and anti-viruses to ensure you have a good program.
In my opinion, open-source (free) frameworks are one of the best ways to revolutionize web and applications development. Think about it: there are thousands or even millions of developers in the world and only a handful of them could actually have their hands on licensed frameworks. Without the open-source frameworks, they cannot possibly build better application and would have to stick to very traditional programs. Consumers will also have to wait and pay for things they might not use at all.
One of the best free frameworks I have encountered is JPSpan. This open-source framework does not have the hype that you will notice just like DOJO or GWT but it has captured the imagination of developers because of its ability to integrate PHP especially on the server side. PHP is a lightweight code that is frequently used in forums and text based website. But when used at server it becomes an efficient communicating tool especially in streaming information to the client. Instead of using the heavy JavaScript, PHP offers a smarter alternative and it could be used using the JPSpan framework.
The key trait of JPSpan is a trick called reflection. Once JPSpan is installed, developers should be able to upload some of the framework tools to the server. You should be able to code an entirely different client side design when you are using JPSpan. Reflection happens when you are trying to communicate the server to the client. Irrespective of the program or coding found in the client, the server will determine what proper function it needs and uses reflection to determine that communication. With reflection, it can trigger the right tool such as XMLhttpRequest or an ActiveXObeject. This gives the developers a free hand on building better client side applications. The server will just have to use reflection frequently so that it determines whatever application that runs in the client side.
The best thing about JPSpan framework is the fact that it uses PHP as its tool for framework. A lightweight model is a great alternative when you are building a simple web application. One great example to use this framework is building highly interactive forum without even refreshing the whole webpage. The ability to use reflection makes this framework even more attractive to different developers. This reflection is not just in a small scale but on a large scale bases so the whole webpage could be efficiently communicated with the server.
Best of all, JPSpan is an open-source framework so you can use and customise it for your website free. Go to SourceForge and get all the basics about JPSpan including the documentation and framework download.
