What is PHP For Web Development?

Published on November 20th, 2024

PHP remains a dominant force in web development, with a significant percentage of websites—approximately 77.5%—using PHP as a server-side language. This widespread adoption is largely due to its reliability and versatility. Popular frameworks and content management systems like Laravel and WordPress, both based on PHP, further demonstrate their capability to power diverse web applications and websites. These platforms have been instrumental in simplifying web development processes and have been embraced by developers for their robust community support and vast library of resources.

Initially coined “personal home page,” PHP now stands as an acronym for “hypertext preprocessor,” although this full name is rarely used today. PHP is a server-side scripting language embedded within HTML in its simplest usage as a server-side language. It enables web developers to produce dynamic content and engage with databases seamlessly. PHP’s renowned simplicity, speed, and adaptability have secured its role as a pivotal tool in web development.

As of November 2024, approximately 77.5% of all websites utilize PHP, with a market share of about 79.2%, making it the most used server-side language globally. PHP is particularly dominant in the CMS market, with WordPress alone accounting for 43.4% of all websites and 62.7% of the CMS market share. This highlights PHP’s critical role in powering popular platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Most PHP-based websites are hosted in the USA, followed by Germany, Russia, the UK, and the Netherlands, indicating a strong presence in these regions.

Must Read: Why Developers Prefer Laravel PHP for Web Development Services

PHP Unlocked: Simplifying the Basics

To make a well-informed decision about using PHP, it’s essential to consider perspectives from both the developer and the client. From a developer’s standpoint, PHP offers an array of benefits, including ease of learning and use, an extensive amount of documentation, and a vibrant community ready to assist with challenges. It supports a wide variety of frameworks such as Symfony and CodeIgniter, which can significantly improve the efficiency and security of web development projects. Additionally, the language’s compatibility with various databases, like MySQL and PostgreSQL, enhances its versatility in handling different types of projects.

On the client side, choosing PHP often translates to cost-effectiveness and faster turnaround times. The extensive availability of PHP developers in the market means that clients can access a broad talent pool, often at a lower cost compared to other technologies. Furthermore, the robust ecosystem of PHP-driven CMSs, such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, provides clients with powerful yet user-friendly tools to manage their web content, enabling sustainable business growth. With its proven track record for scalability and performance, PHP ensures that projects can evolve and adapt seamlessly according to changing business requirements.

PHP is considered a loosely typed language, utilizing eight distinct data types to form variables that hold various kinds of data. Unlike many other programming languages, PHP allows a more lenient approach when it comes to handling variables, as it attempts to evaluate and determine the data type automatically.

In PHP, every variable must start with a dollar sign ($) and can be named starting with a letter. Rather than categorizing variables as strictly “strong” or “weak,” PHP dynamically accommodates both, providing flexibility in how strictly or loosely conversions are handled.

What tools does PHP use?

PHP offers a range of utilities that can greatly improve your coding workflow. There are numerous libraries and classes available in PHP designed to assist with various tasks like debugging, testing, profiling, and writing code, among other functions. Let’s take a look at a few notable examples.

For Debugging:

• Xdebug
• PHP Debug Bar
• Whoops
• Kint
• PHP Console

For Testing and Optimization:

• PHPUnit
• Codeception
• PHPSpec

Security Tools:

• SQLMap
• PHP Security Checker
• Brakeman
• PHPIDS

For Utilities and Classes:

• Composer
• PDO (PHP Data Objects)
• GuzzleHTTP
• SwiftMailer
• Monolog

Must Check: 35+ Best Laravel Tools That Can Make Your Project Successful

How can PHP help you?

For more than ten years, discussions have frequently emerged about whether PHP is obsolete, particularly with the rise of languages such as JavaScript asserting their presence in the web development arena. Nevertheless, PHP continues to stand strong, being responsible for powering  80% of all websites, which underscores its lasting relevance. The underlying reason for PHP’s persistent strength is attributed to its widespread adoption and reliability in the web development ecosystem.

Although it is an older language that might lack some of the features found in newer programming languages, but PHP has continued to evolve and can help you in multiple ways:

• Evolution and Maturity: PHP has evolved significantly, gaining maturity with comprehensive documentation and robust support.
• Frameworks and Libraries: Developers benefit from a rich array of frameworks, databases, and libraries available for PHP.
• Cross-Platform Flexibility: PHP can operate on various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and Unix.
• Web Hosting Support: Most web hosting services include support for PHP, making it widely accessible.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Development and maintenance of PHP applications are often cost-effective.
• Performance Efficiency: PHP is known for its efficiency and ability to deliver quick performance speeds that modern consumers expect.
• Preferred Choice for Development: PHP frequently emerges as the preferred choice for product development due to its extensive API documentation.
• Integration Capabilities: Websites built on PHP can easily integrate with various CMS platforms and plugins, enabling dynamic and engaging user experiences.

Famous Websites Built with PHP

Some of the world’s most notable and highly trafficked websites use PHP, including Facebook, Wikipedia, Yahoo!, and WordPress. These websites leverage PHP’s versatility to deliver interactive and engaging user experiences while efficiently managing massive amounts of data across diverse platforms. PHP’s ability to handle dynamic content makes it an ideal choice for applications that require real-time updates and user interaction.

Additionally, many e-commerce platforms like Magento, WooCommerce, and PrestaShop are built on PHP, showcasing its robustness and flexibility in supporting complex online transactions securely. These platforms enable businesses to create tailored shopping experiences, manage inventories, and process payments smoothly. Popular content management systems like Joomla, Drupal, and Moodle also rely on PHP for their functionality, allowing users to easily create, edit, and manage digital content while benefiting from a wide range of plugins and extensions that enhance their capabilities. This widespread adoption of PHP across various sectors highlights its importance in the modern web development landscape. Let’s explore some famous examples of websites using PHP.

Facebook

PHP continues to be a popular programming language, used by major websites like Facebook, WordPress, and MailChimp. Although Facebook initially used PHP, it developed HipHop (HHVM) to optimize performance. As of 2024, PHP powers around 79.2% of websites worldwide, underscoring its widespread use​ of Chudovo, and Kinsta. Additionally, PHP frameworks like Laravel and Symfony are commonly employed by developers to streamline web development processes, contributing to PHP’s ongoing relevance in the industry​.

Wikipedia

The popular online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, also runs on PHP and utilizes its features to handle a vast amount of constantly updated information. With its robust backend system built on PHP, Wikipedia can provide a scalable and reliable platform for users to access and contribute to knowledge sharing.

Mailchimp

Another well-known platform that relies on PHP is Mailchimp, an email marketing service used by businesses of all sizes. Its use of PHP allows for seamless management and delivery of targeted email campaigns to millions of subscribers, making it a crucial tool for businesses looking to reach their target audience effectively.

Yahoo!

Even though Yahoo! has transitioned to using other programming languages in recent years, its early success can be attributed to its use of PHP. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Yahoo!’s web services heavily relied on PHP for their functionality, allowing users to search for information, check email, and access a variety of other features.

Canva

Canva, a popular graphic design platform, also relies on PHP for its backend operations. Its use of PHP allows for the creation and customization of high-quality designs at scale, making it a valuable tool for individuals and businesses alike.

Slack

Slack, a widely used communication and collaboration platform, also utilizes PHP for its backend operations. Its use of PHP allows for real-time messaging and file sharing between team members, making it an essential tool for remote teams and businesses.

Also Check: Ultimate Guide for Web application Development

Top CMS Platforms Built with PHP

A content management system (CMS) is an online tool that enables users to develop and manage digital content without needing technical expertise. One of the most prevalent examples is a system that facilitates website creation and management without requiring HTML knowledge.

Additionally, some CMS specialize in managing digital assets, like photo galleries or document sharing. PHP powers many modern CMS platforms, including widely used options like WordPress, Drupal, Magento, and Joomla. These platforms allow developers to build cost-efficient websites and eCommerce solutions thanks to PHP’s versatility.

What is WordPress?

WordPress, a most renowned PHP-based content management system (CMS), dominates the market with a 76.4% share and powers 75 million active websites. Its flexibility allows it to support anything from simple blogs to complex online stores.

Top Brands that use WordPress:

• Tech Crunch
• The New Yorker
• The Walt Disney Company
• BBC America
• Sony Music

What is Drupal?

Drupal is a robust open-source CMS platform known for its enterprise-level content management capabilities. Among its many features, Drupal offers advanced security and scalability, making it an ideal option for large businesses that require complex and customized websites.

Top Brands that use Drupal:

• Entertainment
• NCAA
• LUSH
• Tesla
• Intuit mint

What is Magento?

Magento is a popular open-source e-commerce platform, renowned for its extensive range of features and capabilities. 

Top Brands that use Magento:

• Land Rover
• Liverpool
• Ford

What is Joomla?

Joomla is a widely used open-source CMS platform, known for its user-friendly interface and powerful functionality. It offers a wide range of features and customization options, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to create dynamic websites.

Top Brands that use Joomla:

• Linux.com
• Holiday Inn
• IKEA

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PHP and the LAMP Stack

The Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP stack is a combination of open-source software components that are often installed together to create a comprehensive service package, with PHP playing a crucial role. This stack includes Linux as the operating system, Apache as the web server, MySQL for database management, and PHP as the programming language. While these components can be swapped with alternatives, the LAMP stack remains a dominant force in the realm of web development.

Although the MEAN stack, comprising MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js, has gained some traction due to its JavaScript foundation, it is not always the ideal choice, particularly for projects where scalability or performance is paramount.

Why use PHP IDEs?

A PHP Integrated Development Environment (IDE) offers more than just the capabilities of a standard PHP editor, such as syntax highlighting. These IDEs include additional features that greatly facilitate PHP development. Leading PHP IDEs provide ready-made code templates and comprehensive project structures, supporting the pursuit of writing cleaner code, boosting productivity, and reducing errors.

While the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and project needs, using an IDE can often streamline the path to achieving these goals. Selecting the right IDE can be daunting due to various factors to consider, and nearly every IDE’s website touts itself as the best choice. Therefore, making an informed decision requires careful evaluation of your specific requirements.

Top php IDE’s

• NuSphere
• Phpstorm
• Net Beans
• Zend
• Eclipse

1. Code completion

Automated code suggestions significantly reduce the amount of manual typing a developer must do. When these tools support custom classes and phpDoc, they can greatly minimize the need to constantly consult project documentation. Proper code completion can also help to prevent typos. For instance, if entering $controller-> yields no suggestions, it indicates an error; the correct variable should be $controller.

2. Debugging

PHP IDEs provide debugging tools to help identify and solve issues in your code. While standard editors may have rudimentary error highlighting, dedicated debuggers found in most IDEs offer much more advanced features such as breakpoints, variable evaluation, and step-by-step execution.

3. Client-side features

Some Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) also offer a range of client-side features, including robust support for essential web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This capability enables developers to create and modify the front end of web applications directly within the same environment they use for back-end development.

As a result, they can work seamlessly across both server-side and client-side components of web development projects without the hassle of switching between different tools or interfaces. This integrated approach not only boosts productivity but also streamlines the workflow, making it easier to maintain consistency and effectively manage the entire development process.

Related: Explore Unknown Benefits of Using PHPUnit

PHP Tips to the Rescue!

In addition to the major advantages and capabilities of using PHP IDEs, some helpful tips can further enhance your experience with these powerful tools:

1. Use ternary operators

Ternary operators are shorthand expressions that can help to streamline your code and make it more concise. Instead of using if-else statements, you can use ternary operators to write shorter and cleaner code.

2. Memcached

Memcached is an in-memory key-value store that can significantly improve the performance of your PHP web applications. It works by caching frequently used data, such as database query results, in memory to reduce the number of times it needs to be retrieved from the server. This can greatly speed up page load times and enhance the overall user experience.

How Can iTechnolabs Support Your Transition to PHP for Web Development?

At iTechnolabs, we understand the importance of utilizing modern technologies like PHP for web development. That’s why we offer robust support and services to help businesses and developers seamlessly transition to using PHP for their projects.

Our team of experienced mobile app developers can provide customized solutions tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s building a new web application from scratch or upgrading an existing one. We also offer training and assistance in utilizing PHP IDEs effectively, helping you unlock the full potential of these powerful tools.

• Comprehensive PHP Development Services: Our team offers end-to-end PHP Web Development services, ensuring that your web application is built with the latest technologies and best practices.
• Tailored Solutions: We provide customized solutions that cater to the unique requirements of your business, whether you’re developing a new project or enhancing an existing one.
• Expert Training & Support: iTechnolabs offers expert training sessions and ongoing support to help your team gain proficiency in PHP and its associated tools, optimizing productivity and performance.
• Seamless Integration: Our services ensure that PHP can be seamlessly integrated with your current systems and technologies, minimizing disruption and facilitating smoother transitions.
• Performance Optimization: We focus on optimizing your application’s performance through code analysis and implementing strategies like caching and load management using tools like Memcached.
• Security Enhancements: iTechnolabs prioritizes the security of your web applications, implementing best practices and security measures to protect against vulnerabilities and threats.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, leveraging PHP for web application development presents myriad opportunities to enhance functionality, security, and performance. Tailored solutions ensure that businesses can meet their specific needs while maintaining competitiveness in a dynamic digital landscape. Comprehensive training and support empower teams to effectively utilize PHP tools, driving increased productivity. By integrating PHP with existing systems, businesses can enjoy seamless transitions and minimal disruption. Furthermore, implementing best practices in performance optimization and security fortifies applications against potential threats, safeguarding data and assets. Embracing these strategies sets the stage for robust, future-proof web solutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does PHP work with HTML?

PHP can be embedded within HTML code, allowing dynamic content to be created and displayed on websites. When a web page containing PHP is accessed, the server processes the PHP code and sends the resulting HTML output to the user’s browser. This allows for more interactive and customized web pages, as PHP can generate different HTML outputs based on user input or database queries.  Additionally, using PHP in conjunction with HTML also allows for easy updates and maintenance of website content.  Overall, PHP and HTML work together seamlessly to create dynamic and engaging web experiences for users.

How to hire a skillful PHP developer?

When hiring a PHP developer, it is important to consider their experience, technical skills, and portfolio. Look for developers who have worked on a variety of projects and have experience with the specific frameworks and tools your project requires. Additionally, assess their coding abilities through tests or sample projects. It is also crucial to communicate clearly about the requirements and expectations for the project, as well as any budget constraints. 

Is PHP a front end or a backend?

PHP is primarily used as a server-side language, making it a backend technology. It is responsible for processing code and generating dynamic content that is then sent to the user’s browser. However, PHP can also be used for front-end development by embedding it within HTML or JavaScript to create interactive elements on web pages. Its versatility allows it to be used in both backend and front-end roles depending on the project’s needs.  Overall, PHP plays an important role in creating cohesive and functional web applications.

Why is PHP called a scripting language?

PHP is often referred to as a scripting language because it is primarily used for writing scripts that automate tasks or perform specific functions. These scripts are typically executed on the server side, making them useful for dynamic web development. Additionally, PHP can be easily embedded within HTML code, allowing it to act as a script within a larger web page. Its flexibility and ability to execute commands make it a popular choice for creating interactive and dynamic websites.  So, this is why PHP is commonly referred to as a scripting language.