If you’re new to web development, you might be wondering which tech stack to choose when getting started. While many new developers would likely recommend opting for React on the frontend and Node.js on the backend, it’s not that selecting this combination is incorrect. However, by immediately diving into these technologies, you could potentially miss out on the chance to experience working without serverless technology and gaining a deep understanding of the fundamentals.
Learning React wouldn’t necessarily prevent you from grasping the concept of manually deploying web applications, but you might still overlook some fundamental aspects. This is because deploying web applications on platforms like Vercel is incredibly straightforward, which could make it somewhat easier to bypass the foundational learning opportunities associated with manual deployment.
But this article does not primarily center around web app deployment, even though I will use web app deployment as my initial point of argument. What I truly want to emphasize is whether PHP is still worth learning in 2023. I might end up making some points that could be considered invalid, but you might still find some agreement. So, take my advice with a grain of salt.
Cost-effective Deployment
Whether you like it or not, you’ll eventually have to put your site out there for the world to see. Therefore, the cost of putting your website or web app online is crucial. That’s where PHP comes in as a great choice. It’s known for being one of the best and cheapest ways to get your website up and running on the internet.
One of the cool things about PHP is that it works well with many hosting plans. Even the cheaper ones, like shared hosting, work just fine with PHP. This is awesome because it means you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get your website online. PHP is popular, and a lot of people support it, which makes it easy to use and saves you money.
Another cool thing is that PHP isn’t only for shared hosting. You can also use it with something called a Virtual Private Server (VPS). This gives you more control over your hosting and lets you set things up just the way you want. So, PHP is like a friend that fits in anywhere, whether it’s a simple shared hosting or a more advanced setup like a VPS.
It’s also important to note that PHP has a large community of helpful individuals and functions well with various setups. So, if you’re looking for a good way to build websites without spending too much, PHP is a solid choice. Of course, alternative options exist, but PHP remains a dependable and budget-friendly approach for creating excellent content online.
Believe me, I’ve tried opting for other web technologies, such as Ruby on Rails or Python. However, they don’t get nearly as cheaper as hosting PHP sites. If you ever discover hosting solutions that surpass PHP as the king of cost-effectiveness for deploying sites, please share in the comments below. But I doubt you will. đŸ˜‰
Embrace the Power of Full-stack
Now, what do I mean by that?
Full-stack web applications are applications capable of handling both backend and frontend tasks. This covers the whole structure of an application. This method helps developers to be really good at both the part users see (frontend) and the part that handles the data behind the scenes (backend). This way, they can make sure users have a smooth experience and also take care of the technical stuff that makes the application work. This means you get the best of both worlds!
PHP is a server-side scripting language, granting it access to low-level functionalities such as file systems, email transmission, and direct database communication. This is possible because PHP scripts run on the server, which gives them more control compared to scripts that run on the user’s device. This is different from regular JavaScript, which mostly works on the user’s device within web browsers. However, if you utilize Node.js — a JavaScript server runtime enabling server-side JavaScript execution — you can overcome this limitation. This topic, however, is a separate subject for discussion so let’s talk about Node.js some other time.
When building a website, you might initially aim to design a Home Page, About Us, and Contact Us pages. However, in practical terms, many individuals who build their own websites use them to promote something—be it their personal brand, products, or services. Because of this, it’s essential for your site to be more dynamic. You likely wish to gather your visitors’ email addresses or encourage them to sign up for your newsletters. This serves as a way for you to endorse your products and services, ultimately leading to sales. Naturally, there are non-profit websites that don’t actually sell anything, yet they still require functions like audience signups or perhaps the ability to send emails.
While PHP was initially criticized for scalability limitations, modern PHP frameworks and best practices have addressed these concerns. With proper architecture and optimization, PHP applications can scale effectively to accommodate increasing user loads.
PHP has evolved over the years to enhance its security features. Frameworks often come with built-in security mechanisms, and PHP’s core itself has implemented measures to prevent common vulnerabilities when used correctly.
With PHP, you can integrate all these functionalities that are typically not available through JavaScript running on the client-side. And that’s why PHP is usually the logical option for creating dynamic websites!
Large Community
Why does it matter for a particular technology to have a large community? The answer is simple: more people can to help you!
Let’s say you’re an experienced developer or you’re somebody who’s just got their foot in the door. When you get stuck with a problem, many people will be able to assist you through online communities. That means you could solve your problems much faster than if you were using a specific technology that rarely anyone uses.
If you own a business, it’s easier to find people to work on projects using that technology. This is because many people from the big community know how to use it. For example, did you know that PHP is used by 77.3% of websites? That’s a lot!
See: W3 Tech Statistics
This means many people and businesses pick PHP to build their websites. This also means there are many developers who know PHP, so you can find them easily. The more people in the community, the quicker you can solve problems and get things done. It’s like having lots of friends who know how to fix things when they go wrong!
PHP is Easy to Learn
Now, I might be a bit biased here, given that I’ve been working with PHP since 2010. You might make the case that Java is much simpler ;D, but let me explain my perspective!
Using PHP, you can send emails with just a handful of lines of code.
Now, if you were to ask about achieving the same thing in Java, you’d find yourself having to write the following lines of code below.
Please note that this is just a basic example of a code for sending emails. Java tends to be quite verbose in this situation. However, the key takeaway is that learning PHP isn’t difficult.
PHP’s syntax is relatively simple and easy to learn, enabling developers to create prototypes and deploy applications quickly. This rapid development cycle is particularly advantageous for startups aiming to iterate and pivot swiftly.
It supports various programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming. This flexibility allows developers to choose the approach that best suits their project’s requirements and their team’s expertise.
Lots of Frameworks, E-commerce and Content Management Systems
Want to build a blog? You’ve got WordPress! Looking to create a custom SAAS for your next big thing? Laravel has got you covered! Need E-commerce solutions? You’ve got WooCommerce or Magento!
I may not have listed all the frameworks, E-commerce platforms, and Content Management Systems that PHP can offer, but you get the idea. PHP offers solutions for nearly anything you can think of. I’m not suggesting that other web technologies don’t offer these options as well; in fact, they do. However, when you combine this particular benefit with PHP’s inherently cost-effective deployment, it becomes clear that PHP is king.
You enjoy all these benefits without it costing you a fortune. For startups, and even for giants like Facebook, PHP remains the most logical choice. You don’t need extravagant server requirements just to get PHP up and running. With all these PHP frameworks, E-commerce platforms, and Content Management Systems, you have an abundance of solutions right at your fingertips.
So, how was it? Did you enjoy the article? Did this help you in making an informed decision about which web technology to learn next? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!