Programming Language Choice - Longevity and Community
I work for a start up that is currently researching what programming language they will adopt. The following criteria have been identified by management.

The language will be used to develop web based applications. Having a system that allows for easy generation of business reports would be a bonus (iReport, Crystal Reports)

  - Longevity - the parent company has been bitten by a Microsoft EOL a language that it had previously adopted throughout an organization. It doesn't want to deal with a language dying in the short to medium term. 

  - Linux based - again because of lack of faith with Microsoft the parent company has a strict requirement that the language will be Linux based rather than Windows based

  - Large Community - a large/thriving community that would allow developers access to support as well as the organization being able to source additional programmers with experience in the language with ease. 

  - Local Experience - directly related to the previous point, We aren't in the silicon valley, we're in Australia so sourcing local developers is a little more difficult for obscure programming languages

  - RAD (Rapid Application Development) - The programming language would encourage RAD as well as MVC and Agile Development methodologies and have the tools/libraries to support the methods.

We have narrowed down the field of languages to include PHP, Ruby, Python. 

Do you think these languages meet all the requirements?

What are the some of the pros and cons of the above languages that might influence a decision?

What language would you choose?
Programming Language Choice - Longevity and Community
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I work for a start up that is currently researching what programming language they will adopt. The following criteria have been identified by management.

The language will be used to develop web based applications. Having a system that allows for easy generation of business reports would be a bonus (iReport, Crystal Reports)

  - Longevity - the parent company has been bitten by a Microsoft EOL a language that it had previously adopted throughout an organization. It doesn't want to deal with a language dying in the short to medium term. 

  - Linux based - again because of lack of faith with Microsoft the parent company has a strict requirement that the language will be Linux based rather than Windows based

  - Large Community - a large/thriving community that would allow developers access to support as well as the organization being able to source additional programmers with experience in the language with ease. 

  - Local Experience - directly related to the previous point, We aren't in the silicon valley, we're in Australia so sourcing local developers is a little more difficult for obscure programming languages

  - RAD (Rapid Application Development) - The programming language would encourage RAD as well as MVC and Agile Development methodologies and have the tools/libraries to support the methods.

We have narrowed down the field of languages to include PHP, Ruby, Python. 

Do you think these languages meet all the requirements?

What are the some of the pros and cons of the above languages that might influence a decision?

What language would you choose?