Importance of PHP language
- Sujal T Wscube
- Aug 16, 2022
- 4 min read
The server-side language PHP, which has been around for more than 25 years, nevertheless stirs up some strong feelings in the minds of developers. You'll undoubtedly discover a conversation about where PHP is "dead" whenever a new programming language or technology is introduced. According to the Stack Overflow annual developer survey, PHP has fallen from fifth place in 2017 to eighth place in 2020 on the list of the most popular programming languages. And yet, approximately 80% of websites still run on PHP, including some important platforms like Facebook and WordPress. What gives, then?
You may visit a blog What is php~ An Overview to get an overview of PHP.
Why is PHP Still Used So Much?
Dynamic and interactive web pages may be made using PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor), a general-purpose computer language. It was one of the first server-side languages that HTML could use, making it easier to add functionality without referencing other files. Due to periodic upgrades that unlock new capabilities (version 8.0 was published in November 2020), its use has evolved over time.
Example:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head> <title>Example</title> </head> <body> <!--?php echo "Hi, I'm a PHP script!"; ?--> </body> </html>PHP still plays a significant part in web development even if it isn't the most visually appealing language these days for the reasons given below.
It's easy to use and learn—One of the main factors contributing to PHP's rising popularity is how simple it is to get started with. Even without a great deal of understanding or experience in web development, the majority of individuals could quickly and simply construct a web page utilizing a single PHP file. Due to its simple syntax and short learning curve for command functions, PHP has fewer entry barriers than many other languages.
Because PHP is open source and free, developers can utilize it more easily because it can be quickly and cheaply installed. There is also free access to a wide range of PHP frameworks, such as Laravel and Symphony. This feature intrigues businesses since it reduces the price of web development.
It's adaptable: One of PHP's key benefits is that it is platform neutral, working on Mac OS, Windows, and Linux and supports the majority of web browsers. Additionally, it may be easily and affordably installed on a variety of platforms and systems because it is compatible with all well-known web servers.
There is substantial public support for it: Today, PHP has a huge and loyal community to support it thanks to its lengthy history and extensive use. There are a tons of tutorials, FAQs, and suggestions available to help novice PHP developers and prevent the language's capabilities from plateauing.
It is swift and secure – Every business wants its website or application to be swift and secure. The most current versions of PHP utilize their own memory and function quickly. Although it's important to stress that PHP is neither inherently more safe nor less secure than other programming languages, there have in the past been security issues with the language. One important benefit is that as a consequence of its widespread use and community support, there are now many tools, frameworks, and best practices available to help with repairing vulnerabilities and fighting against assaults.
It features strong database connections thanks to PHP, which makes it easy to create secure connections with almost any kind of database. This gives programmers more freedom to select the database that will serve their application's needs the best.
Being around for 25 years has its benefits, one of which is that PHP code has been tested in a variety of real-world scenarios. Developers now have more confidence in the language because the significant problems have been located and solved. PHP web development is now safer, quicker, and more efficient thanks to the development of various frameworks and tools throughout time.
There is a tons of legacy code—While this isn't exactly an advantage of adopting PHP in and of itself, the fact that so many websites already exist were built using PHP makes it an important consideration to be aware of. Simply put, rather than trying to rebuild everything, it is usually simpler to make changes to the original language. Because of this, PHP is more resistant to potential individual preferences for other languages among some younger developers. Finding a PHP developer for your business is also often easier because to the legacy effect, however, as we've already discussed on this blog, you should make sure they have the right credentials.
Other vs PHP
Of course, a number of the concepts we've discussed here might also be applied to other programming languages. Here are only a handful of the most well-liked PHP substitutes to aid in your decision as to which is best for your endeavor or company.
Since it has been around for almost as long as PHP, JavaScript continues to be the most widely used programming language. JavaScript cannot be easily compared to PHP because it is mostly a client-side language. But now that Node.js and other frameworks are available, JavaScript programmers can produce server-side scripts. Despite the fact that both languages are widely used and flexible, only JavaScript offers full-stack development. However, utilizing PHP could result in cheaper development costs because it is easier to grasp and maintain.
People enjoy Python because it is so user-friendly and adaptable, making it one of the most popular languages right now. Although it is now the most popular option for data science and AI, PHP is still far more often used for web development. Despite its adaptability and quickly growing community, Python does not yet provide PHP with the same level of database connection and support.
Another open-source programming language from the 1990s is Ruby, which is a crucial part of the well-known web development platform "Ruby on Rails." Despite being praised for its clear syntax and dependable performance, it is perceived as being more difficult to learn than PHP and does not have the same level of community support.
In the end, the language you select will depend on the project you're working on and the qualities you want to emphasize.
You may also check out the online PHP quiz for a daily evaluation of your knowledge.
Gratitude for reading!
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