Topic: Java, PHP, and/or Perl for client side web applications?

[Lepton]

I'm trying to enter the realm of client side web applications.  I am looking to implement an application that displays GIS data served by a server in GML (XML formatted geographic and attribute data) using Open Source Tools like MapServer, PostGIS, etc.  It seems that the couple of existing appilcations for this purpose are written in Java since, I assume, that is the parser that everyone has on their computer.  Is there anything to prevent one from using PHP or Perl to create client side web applications?  As far as I know, Java is the only one amongst these that has event-handling, if that is the correct term.  Is that true?  I had seen PHP-GTK that seemed to be for implementing client side apps but I know nothing of it or its acceptance in the general world.  Java and javascript are ubiquitous whereas PHP as client side seems relatively obscure.

As for why I might wish to avoid Java, I have heard nothing but bad things about Java.  Slow. Bloated syntax.  Most java apps I have seen look bad, perform poorly, and leave  little graphical errors and artifacts on my screen, hence my reluctance to enter the Java world despite its wide distribution.

Comments, advice, suggestions all welcome.  Thanks.

[Lepton]

Wow!  Nothing.  OK.  Stupid questions?  Don't know what I am talking about?  The question is not application specific if that is the problem.  PHP or Perl.  Client-side development at all accepted or barking up wrong tree?  Java, sucky or no?

[SkyFlyer]

Java's not bad... My dad programs in it...

I haven't given Java a try.... I prefer PHP.

And PHP, imho, is better than Perl.

[Bonk]

Python might be a good way to go. (IIRC it is what EVE is written in)

I would say javascript might be appropriate for this job, but you, Lepton are the reason I am allergic to it, as you had it disabled for ages preventing the older versions of the webmap that used it from working for you...