Monday 14 March 2011

Web server scripting disadvantages

Running scripts on a server machins has disadvantages as well. Here are a few to consider.

1. Reduced performance
If code was compiled and deployed onto the server, then the application would be in the native code of that platform. This would enhance the performance of the required task. Which means a lower powered server is required or more clients could be services by the same hardware.

Hence scripts require a more powerful server and/or more servers. making it more expensive.

2. Complex debugging
Since scripts use simple API’s and normally a simple edits, then debugging can be difficult. With these simple development system the only way to test a script is on the server, which means that when things go wrong they go wrong on the server and there is normally very little feedback to the developer of what went wrong.

As web development becomes more complex development frameworks, with integrated debugging systems and embedded slim down servers will improve web development.

3. Exploited by Hackers
Scripts can be used by hackers to gain access to the server. Because the scripts respond to URL input, changing the URL and its data packets, to something that exploits a security hole can give the user, access to the server, sometimes even as the root account. To combat such attacks, the system administrators should keep the server OS and scripting API’s up to date and also use an application firewall.

No comments:

Post a Comment