Reasons why PHP is Still Valuable to Web Development

PHP, a server-side programming language that has been around for almost 25 years, elicits strong feelings among developers today. Whenever a new programming language or technology arrives, there will almost certainly be a debate about where PHP is ‘dead.’

According to the Stack Overflow annual developer survey, PHP has dropped down the rankings of the most popular programming languages, from 5th in 2017 to 8th in 2020.

Why is PHP still so popular?

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a general-purpose programming language that may be used to create interactive and dynamic websites. It was one of the first server-side languages to be integrated into HTML. If interested in mobile development, check out Android Training in Vadodara.

It makes it easy to add functionality to web pages without having to access data from separate files. Its capabilities and features have grown throughout time, with regular upgrades (version 8.0 was issued in November 2020) bringing new features and unlocking new possibilities.

• It’s simple to understand and use

One of the key reasons PHP has become so popular is that it’s straightforward to get started with. Even without substantial web development expertise or experience, most people could produce a web page in a reasonably short amount of time using a single PHP file.

The syntax is basic, and command functions are straightforward to understand, therefore PHP has fewer hurdles to entry than many other languages.

• It’s free since it’s open source

This also makes it easier for developers to get started with PHP because it can be installed fast and for free. A wide selection of PHP frameworks, such as Laravel and Symfony, are also available for free. Companies like this function since it helps them keep track of their web development expenditures.

• It’s adaptable

One of PHP’s biggest advantages is that it’s platform agnostic, meaning it can run on Mac OS, Windows, Linux, and most web browsers. It also works with all major web servers, making it simple to deploy on a variety of systems and platforms at a low cost.

• It has a lot of support in the community

PHP has a big and devoted community to promote it as a long-established scripting language that is widely utilised. You can also check out PHP Training in Vadodara.

There are several tutorials, FAQs, and tips available to assist new PHP developers and to continue pushing the language’s bounds through continuous upgrades.

• It’s quick and safe

Every company wants their website or application to be both quick and safe. PHP uses its own memory and performs well in terms of speed, especially in later versions.

PHP security has been questioned in the past, but it’s crucial to remember that it’s not intrinsically more or less safe than other programming languages.

One significant advantage is that, as a result of its extensive use and community support, there are now a plethora of tools, frameworks, and best practises available to assist in the repair of vulnerabilities and the prevention of cyberattacks.

• It has a good database connection

PHP makes it simple to connect securely to practically any database. This allows developers more flexibility in deciding which database is suitable for the application they’re working on.
It has been tried and true.

One of the big advantages of being around for a quarter-century is that PHP code has been well tested in a variety of real-world scenarios. The language has been stabilised and developers can trust it now that the major flaws have been identified and fixed.

Furthermore, various frameworks and tools have been developed throughout time to aid in the secure, efficient, and effective creation of PHP web applications.

• There’s a lot of legacy code to deal with

Okay, this isn’t exactly an advantage of choosing PHP in and of itself, but with so many current websites built in PHP, it becomes a significant factor to consider. Simply put, it’s usually easier to make improvements in the same language rather than rewriting everything in a different one.

Although the emergence of Node.js and other frameworks allows developers to construct server-side scripts using JavaScript, it is largely a client-side language and hence not directly equivalent to PHP.

Both languages have large user bases and are extremely adaptable, but only JavaScript permits full-stack development. However, because PHP is easier to learn and maintain, it may result in lower development costs.

Python is one of the most popular programming languages today, thanks to its ease of use and flexibility. It has risen to the top of the data science and AI rankings, but it still lags behind PHP in terms of web development usage.

Python has a rapidly growing community and a growing number of frameworks and modules; it is versatile, but does not currently offer the same level of database connectivity and support as PHP.

The Most Valuable Advice for PHP Newbies

Despite the fact that this is a widely used programming language for powering websites and web apps such as Facebook and WordPress, many PHP novices find learning a new language difficult.

They are continuously on the lookout for it’s hacks and tricks. So, if you’re new to this thing, here are some helpful PHP tips for newbies. Let’s have a look at it.

1. Familiarize yourself with OOP

Learning OOP will help you become a valuable PHP coder in the long run. This is especially true if you are not from a technical background.

2. Seek assistance from the PHP community

There is a large, pleasant, and helpful PHP community. So, whether you’re part of an open-source project community or a PHP user group, you can rest assured that the path ahead will be easy.

3. Participate in open-source initiatives

As soon as you’ve mastered the fundamentals of this language, try your hand at open-source projects, which will provide you with access to the source code and provide you with an excellent opportunity to learn a lot about its programming.

4. To avoid coding burnout, follow these tips

New PHP programmers sometimes approach the language with the perspective of simply getting it to work, which causes more harm than good.

They become frustrated after a few attempts when things do not perform as expected, and they develop coding burnout.

5. Examine the code of seasoned programmers

Rather than wasting time recreating the wheel, you can improve your code by examining the code of more experienced coders. Try to figure out how they write error-free, human-readable code in a much more straightforward manner.

6. Find out more about data storage

As a code novice, learning about data storage makes perfect sense. Also, if at all possible, learn SQL because you may need to work with databases early in your career.

7. Keep a solid vocabulary

Functions, interfaces, classes, and constants make up the majority of the PHP vocabulary. Keeping a decent vocabulary will assist you to enhance the functionality of your website in the long run.

Also read: Effective ways to Improve User Experience on Mobile Apps