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Is PHP on its way out, or does it still hold a place in web development? This common question has sparked countless debates among developers and tech enthusiasts over the years.
PHP was once the go-to scripting language for building dynamic websites. Now, it faces fierce competition from other modernising technologies like Python, JavaScript frameworks, and Ruby.
While some argue that PHP is outdated and losing ground, others often point out its consistent presence in powering popular platforms like WordPress, Facebook, and Wikipedia. This is proof that it’s still relevant today, but for how long?
In this blog, we’ll discuss the current state of PHP in the tech industry, explaining its strengths, challenges and role in the future of web development. If you’re a web developer, a website owner, or just learning about coding, this guide will help you understand where PHP stands today and why it might still be worth learning.
Is PHP dying out? Let’s find out!
PHP, short for Hypertext Preprocessor, was created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994 as a set of tools to manage his personal website. Initially, it was called "Personal Home Page Tools," but it quickly evolved into a server-side scripting language for building web pages.
By the late 1990s, PHP gained traction because of its simplicity, flexibility, and ability to work seamlessly with HTML. Over the years, it grew into an incredibly powerful coding language, with regular updates introducing robust features and enhanced performance.
Today, PHP powers millions of websites worldwide, including the current most popular website platform, WordPress. This goes to show that, even now, PHP plays an important role in shaping the web development landscape.
Today, PHP is still a key player in web development, powering nearly 80% of websites that rely on server-side languages. Despite renewed competition from updated technologies like Python and JavaScript, PHP has held its own in the ongoing coding arms race.
It also released PHP 7 and PHP 8, which brought major performance boosts, enhanced security, and modernised features, making PHP faster and more efficient. Its widespread use in platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and Magento keeps it relevant, especially for content-driven websites.
Is PHP dying out? Not really. While it may not be as trendy as its competitors, PHP’s constant evolution ensures it’s still the dependable and compatible choice for many developers.
Other languages like Python, Ruby, and JavaScript have gained recent popularity due to their versatility and advanced frameworks, whilst PHP faces increasingly tough competition in the web development world.
Critics often label PHP as outdated, referring to inconsistencies in its older versions and a lack of modern programming features. Additionally, newer developers might overlook PHP in favour of trendier technologies, leading to fewer fresh contributions to its ecosystem.
Although there are numerous improvements in PHP 8, people in the industry still don’t want to deal with the stigma of being “old-fashioned.” To stay relevant, PHP needs to continue evolving, addressing performance gaps, and showcasing its ability to handle modern web application demands efficiently.
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In recent versions of PHP, especially PHP 8, new features like the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler which boosts performance, and enhanced syntax make coding much more efficient.
Additionally, PHP now integrates better with modern tools and frameworks, supporting technologies like RESTful APIs and cloud-based applications. Its open-source nature also ensures there’s a steady flow of community-driven updates, addressing both functionality and security.
With frameworks like Laravel simplifying development and keeping PHP competitive, the language continues to adapt to modern needs. However, it also retains its core strengths of simplicity and widespread compatibility.
PHP is going nowhere and is still a great choice for developers, especially for building dynamic websites and applications.
Its ease of use, extensive documentation, and large community make it beginner-friendly, while frameworks like Laravel offer advanced tools for more experienced developers.
PHP excels in server-side scripting and integrates well with popular databases. It’s also cost-effective, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and startups. Although other languages like Python and JavaScript have begun to eat into PHP’s market share, WordPress is expected to remain the dominant platform well into the future.
Overall, with ongoing updates and improvements, PHP has stayed relevant and is a stable and practical option for modern web development projects.
Have you been asking the question “Is PHP dying out?” Well, now you know the answer.
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