Ray,

Thanks this helps a lot to frame the question.

Do you know any more details about what each technology stack(perl, python, coldfusion, etc) does in your system? It sounds like you might benefit from stepping back from what you have, and these new proposed technologies, and instead developing an architecture that makes sense for you doing. Also thinking about good design patterns, the answer should present itself, instead of you seeking out a new technology stack just to "up our game". 
Some good books to take a look 
* http://www.amazon.com/Head-First-Design-Patterns-Freeman/dp/0596007124 
* http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Code-Handbook-Software-Craftsmanship/dp/0132350882/ref=pd_sim_b_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1R62G9ZDKDRFK3RY1MRG
* http://www.amazon.com/Patterns-Enterprise-Application-Architecture-Martin/dp/0321127420/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428341924&sr=1-1&keywords=Patterns+of+Enterprise+Application+Architecture 

For instance, if you are merely doing reporting, perhaps you could create a backend application that does the heavy lifting(like a java process that updates the reports every 5 minutes). Then create a lightweight "UI" application to display those reports(a django app that simply displays the sql report that the java app created). Having an overarching design will then allow you to pick a stack of technologies that fit that design. 

Having worked on several projects now (most of them inherited) I cannot overemphasize the importance of good design. It has meant the difference between me dreading work and new work being a pleasure. Play to your strengths, use what you know or develop a prototype to test something new. But please PLEASE, DO NOT PUT THE PROTOTYPE INTO PRODUCTION! Once you are done with it, rewrite it, and then when you are done with the rewrite, rewrite it again. Just my $0.02

John

-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Schwartz, Raymond
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 1:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Question about choice of frameworks for JavaScript, Perl and python

Thanks John,

One of our coders recommended that we should up our game, so to speak--get a framework.

What we do now is use javascript for web apps communicating with our ILS (Voyager).  We use perl, python, and php for data extraction and parsing between multiple systems--usually marc records, but also patron and transactional records.  Presently we use coldfusion for a great deal of reporting, put we would like to move to d3.js.  We are talking about web applications--not desktop.

/Ray

-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Scancella, John
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 12:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Question about choice of frameworks for JavaScript, Perl and python

Ray,

We all have to start somewhere, so do not get discouraged we are here to help!

Like I mentioned before, if we know what problem you are trying to solve we can more easily point you in the right direction. Let's start with why choose javascript, perl, and or python? What made you choose those? Is this a web application or a desktop application? Will it talking to other applications? What operating systems will it need to run on?

Once you answer those perhaps we can ask more targeted questions and be better able to help you.
I would also recommend the great website stackoverflow.com. They hold a vast amount of knowledge when it comes to all things development related.

John

-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Schwartz, Raymond
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 12:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Question about choice of frameworks for JavaScript, Perl and python

Well I guess that shows how little we know about frameworks.  :(

-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Scancella, John
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 12:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Question about choice of frameworks for JavaScript, Perl and python

Ray,

That is a very broad question. We could probably better answer which ones to look at if you gave us some more information, like what specifically are you trying to do with these frameworks/technologies?

John
Developer at The Library Of Congress

-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Schwartz, Raymond
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 11:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CODE4LIB] Question about choice of frameworks for JavaScript, Perl and python

We are considering getting frameworks for each of these languages.  Since we are new to this technology, I would like to know which frameworks do you use/recommend and why?  We did get a recommendation for zend/php.

Thanks for any assistance. /Ray

Ray Schwartz
Systems Specialist Librarian                      [log in to unmask]<blocked::mailto:[log in to unmask]>
David and Lorraine Cheng Library           Tel: +1 973 720-3192
William Paterson University                      Fax: +1 973 720-2585
300 Pompton Road                                     Mobile: +1 201 424-4491
Wayne, NJ 07470-2103 USA                      http://nova.wpunj.edu/schwartzr2/<http://euphrates.wpunj.edu/faculty/schwartzr2/>