For nearly three decades, PHP has been a go-to scripting language.
Released initially in 1994 as a set of Common Gateway Interface(CGI), the general-purpose object oriented programming language is widely used by some of the biggest online brands today. It is highly versatile, used to create dynamic websites and web apps. From building productivity tools to crafting interactive web pages, PHP is a dominant force in the programming arena for so many reasons.
Learning to develop with PHP is a critical skill for developers. It enables them to work an a wide array of different types of projects. That’s why the developer community—particularly those on in the web space—continues to rely on its robust features and applicability. With the scripting language, they can build everything from secure web databases to complex web applications and beyond. It’s also a great language for creating formidable security platforms to safeguard information online.
There are many interesting facts about PHP to delight both new and seasoned programmers and techies. Let’s take a deep dive into the engaging world of PHP and its illustrious history.
Fun, Rapid-Fire Facts About the PHP Programming Language
PHP comes with a variety of interesting tidbits of information and background stories. To name just a couple:
- The original mascot for PHP was a cheerful blue elephant.
- The scripting language actually has no officially documented specifications.
- PHP originally stood for “Personal Home Page.” Why? Rasmus Lerdorf, its creator, originally created the language for personal web development.
- Today, however, PHP stands for “Hypertext Preprocessor”—a testament to its growing and widespread use cases.
Curious to learn even more interesting facts about PHP? Let’s take a look.
1. It Lends Itself to Fast, Customizable Development
PHP is a great choice for developers in need of a language that not only facilitates swift development but also aids customization efforts. Using the language, developers can complete projects quickly. Thanks to PHP’s enormous popularity, there is a huge community of support, as well as a number of helpful tools, including scalable web frameworks.
PHP helps transform concepts into functional projects quickly, and that means shorter time to market—a huge plus.
2. It’s One of the Top Languages for Web Development
According to recent research, nearly 80% of developers choose PHP as their server side scripting language. Although it is by no means a new language, it remains an in-demand skill for web developers and professionals in the space. That’s thanks to its widespread use, many PHP scalable frameworks, and active—and growing—community.
PHP ranks no. 8 in the September 2023 TIOBE Index and no. 11 in the Stack Overflow 2023 survey, a testament to its reliability and ubiquity in the developer community.
3. It’s Used by Some of the Biggest Names in the World
Many of the biggest companies in the global tech world rely on PHP. Giants across industries leverage the enormous capabilities of the scripting language to develop their websites and web apps and meet the needs of growing numbers of users successfully each day.
PHP acts as the foundation of platforms like Drupal and WordPress. Other businesses and popular sites that use PHP include Facebook/Meta, Lyft, MailChimp, Wikipedia, Slack, Etsy, Tumblr, Spotify, WhatsApp, Yahoo, and many others.
#4 It Is Reliable
PHP is considered a highly reliable scripting language in the world of programming, further contributing to its popularity. The versatile nature of PHP enables seamless operations across platforms as well as compatibility with nearly all major web browsers. These features all contribute to the reliability of the language.
#5 It’s Customizable
PHP empowers developers to create highly customizable projects tailored to the hiring company’s needs and the type of product they want to create.
Depending on factors like the size and timeframe of the project, as well as the required scalability and complexity, PHP developers have the ability to craft unique solutions that align seamlessly with the specifications, business objectives, and budgetary allowances of the hiring company.
PHP offers great flexibility. Developers can use the language to create a range of projects, including ones that need to fit into smaller budgets. The many resources available to assist developers also enable better personalization and help ensure that the final product matches the company’s vision.
#6 It’s One of the Most Used Languages for Server-Side Development
PHP is a main language for server-side development, also called back-end development. Developers use server-side programming languages to build the part of the the product, usually a website or web app, that users don’t see or interact with. However, the server side is what gives the product structure.
Front-end and back-end developers work together to ensure that the server side and client side function together seamlessly and fluidly. PHP helps create the foundation for countless websites, web apps, and various other applications and digital products.
#7 It’s Cost-Effective
PHP is a cost-effective option for a wide variety of development needs because it’s an open-source language. This helps businesses and development teams alike as they aim to keep costs low. For one, it eliminates the need to pay hefty licensing fees, thereby making the development and maintenance processes much more economical.
The open-source nature of PHP combined with a rapid development cycle, a streamlined workflow, and an uncomplicated maintenance process, also contribute to the affordability of working with the scripting language.
#8 It Runs on All Major Operating Systems
PHP code is flexible, scalable, and adaptable, and these factors are at least partly due to its cross-platform functionality.
Managed by the PHP Group, PHP runs on all major platforms and operating systems, including Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux.
The scripting language’s compatibility with these platforms not only elevates its functionality and capabilities but also helps ensure a high level of performance.
Why Are There Are So Many PHP Developers?
PHP is a veteran among scripting and programming languages, helping developers build the back end of websites, web apps, cross-platform products, and more.
Many of the biggest brands and companies have PHP as part of their tech stacks. Today, you can assume that most people have accessed a product that is at least partly powered by the language. Millions of people continue to use it every day.
PHP is scalable, reliable, and reputable. We can expect that it will continue to have a place as a major server-side language in the web space in particular, thanks to its many attributes and benefits.
When deciding if PHP development is the right language for your upcoming project, businesses and developers should consider both the benefits and drawbacks of the language. Its large online community, strong foundational elements, versatility, compatibility, and extensive documentation make it a reliable choice for a variety of web development projects.
As with any development project, as you get started, always have the specific project requirements in mind to determine whether PHP fully aligns with your goals and vision for your product.
