PHP vs Python – Pick the Right Language for Web Development Project

One of the biggest dilemmas in which we non-techies often get stuck is what is the best programming language to choose for your upcoming web development project? With so many options around, it gets effortless for most of you to get overwhelmed. However, picking the correct programming language or technology stack is crucial A wrong move can lead you to enormous losses.

The good news is that web developers can write good software or conduct a successful web development project in Java, C#, Python, PHP, or any other myriad languages. The bad news is that you can create the worst product using those. The following post emphasizes which programming language to choose between, PHP and Python, and whether one should consider Python or PHP for web development.

Now tell me something: what will you choose between Axe or Chainsaw? First, your counter-question would be for what, right? If we answer stitching cloth…you will say NO, and if we answer chopping wood, you may respond with YES. So the moral of the story is the answer depends on your needs and requirements. Similarly, if you plan to develop a software development project, you can hire reputed PHP programmers from India.

Meet the Top Programming languages WorldWide

The world is expanding digitally, and with every aspect of our lives becoming digital, the demand for computer experts is skyrocketing each day. Therefore, knowing programming languages has become crucial for every IT professional. Further below, I will mention some of the best programming languages to consider while conducting your first web development project.

#1. JavaScript

Javascript is one of the most used programming languages among famous social media platforms like Facebook, Google, and YouTube. JavaScript is renowned for its various frameworks, such as Node.js, and you get a language capable of server-side scripting. Not only this, with the use of JavaScript, one can also build full-scale games in an external game engine or the browser using JavaScript. JavaScript is used primarily for Front-end and back-end web development, mobile apps, and developing games.

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#2. Python

The ever-growing importance of data in business has resulted in a quick rise in popularity and demand for Python. Python is one such programming language used for server-side development, web and mobile app development to building machine learning software. There’s nothing Python can’t do. In fact, the programming language comprises lots of libraries, tools, and frameworks that make it a must in the field of Data Science and Machine Learning.

Python was one language to learn in 2021, and it’s intuitive and elementary to understand, even for beginners. Python is mainly used for data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, back-end development, web/ mobile app development, and IoT.

#3. PHP

Our following best programming language is PHP. More and more tech giants like Yahoo, Wikipedia, and Facebook recommend PHP for software development. In fact, PHP’s syntax is straightforward and clear, and almost 80% of all websites use the programming language. Moreover, PHP offers many powerful frameworks, such as Laravel, making your life even more accessible. Furthermore, PHP is compatible with all central databases and packs a punch with loads of automation tools for deploying and testing your applications. PHP is mainly used for back-end web development and server-side scripting.

#4. C#

Another general-purpose programming language is C#. Mainly built by Microsoft and inspired by the C programming language. This web development language is way more advanced than the C programming language. Also, it is dynamic and fully integrated with the .NET framework. It is prevalent in desktop and mobile app development, too. C# holds 4th position in the PYPL popularity index at this moment. The demand and growth of C# as a programming language will undoubtedly scale with time. C# is mainly used for 2D and 3D game development, web development, desktop, and mobile apps VR.

#5. Go

Go is one such programming language known as Golang was developed at Google in 2009 by Robert Griesemer, Ken Thompson, and Rob Pike. Some of its advantages include:

• Go is a fast language as it is compiled to machine code.
• It has small syntax compared to other programming languages and is very easy to learn.
• It is one of the best programming languages to learn, which offers a standard library to provide handy built-in functions for working with primitive types.
• Go makes concurrent programming easy.

Some quick tips to consider when selecting a programming language

Choose an object-oriented programming language that comprises a vast ecosystem, community, and availability of programmers.

I have come across several developers who make mistakes and choose scripting languages because it is more popular, trendy, and calm. Don’t do that. Consider your web application’s needs and requirements, and then choose wisely.

As a technical manager, firstly, you need to pay attention to your project’s moving pieces. You should know all the components for a better view, and this will help you choose a specific programming language.

Among all the programming mentioned earlier languages, both PHP and Python are trending quickly. Now let us find out why both Python and PHP deserve a special mention and which of these two must be chosen.

After 2019, the web applications development scenario has entirely changed. Entrepreneurs are eyeing mobile and web development, and they strive forward to creating a rich, interactive, and customer-friendly website.

These coding languages perfectly fit into this genre and give developers the privilege to build fluid and intuitive mobile and web applications. Companies opt for Python or PHP scripts for their respective web development projects.

Before getting into PHP vs Python, now it’s time to know each in detail.

PHP

PHP (an acronym for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) is a scripting language generally used in “server-side” web development. Scripting languages (a family of programming languages including PHP and languages like JavaScript and Ruby) are a subset of coding languages used to automate processes that otherwise would need to be executed step-by-step in a site’s code every time they occur.

Scripting languages like PHP are distinct from markup languages like HTML and CSS. While HTML and CSS determine the layout and look of web pages, scripting languages tell a static web page (built with HTML and CSS) to “do” specific actions. Also, PHP is pretty much popular among web developers.

Advantages of PHP

Easy and simple to learn

PHP is considered one of the simplest scripting languages. PHP doesn’t require manual or intensive studying compared to other web languages. PHP syntax is logical and well-organized. Even command functions are easy to understand, as they tell the developer what function they perform. As a result, web developers find it easy to create and optimize the application.

High Flexibility

PHP is pretty flexible, whether during an ongoing web application project or after completing the project. Flexibility in a scripting language is crucial, as functionality can change anytime during a project. The best part about PHP is the ability to make changes even after starting the project, which saves valuable time.

More or less, PHP developers no longer have to write new codes or command functions, as changes to the existing codes and procedures can be done and used.

Efficient Performance

Depending on how the web developer codes, PHP has the potential to turn into an efficient language. It is scalable when used for writing codes and can also be used for creating a large number of applications. When a website has several web pages, it is the programming language of choice.

Python

Python is one of the most popular and fastest-growing programming languages. Inherently, it is an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose, and object-oriented scripting language. Founded in 1991 by developer Guido Van Rossum, Python ranks among the most powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use languages for developing high-end web applications. Now, precisely what kind of web app development projects can be conducted by a Python developer.

GUI-based desktop applications to graphic design image processing applications, Games and Scientific/ computational Applications, web frameworks and applications, enterprise and business applications, operating systems, language development, prototyping, software development, etc.

Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Mozilla, Microsoft, Cisco, Spotify, and Quora are some of the top organizations using Python. Now here comes the big question, why? Here’s, I would like to share why Python wins.

Its advantages include:

• Presence of third-party modules
• Extensive support libraries(NumPy for numerical calculations, Pandas for data analytics, etc.)
• Open source and community development
• Versatile, Easy to read, learn and write
• User-friendly data structures
• High-level language with high-end library support
• Dynamically typed language(No need to mention data type based on the value assigned, it takes data type)
• Object-oriented language
• Portable and interactive
• Ideal for prototypes – offers more functionality with less coding
• (IoT)Internet of Things Opportunities
• Interpreted Language
• Portable across Operating systems

A Detailed Comparison of the Top Server Side Scripting Language – PHP vs Python

So finally, we have reached our ultimate aim PHP vs Python. Let us see whether PHP wins or Python wins the challenge. Whatever the result, I am sure it will ease your development process. Battle or face-off between programming languages is not a new concept, and it has been happening for ages, and PHP vs Python is quite in talk.

And if you already have joined this battle of PHP vs. Python and are confused on which side you must continue your fight, this article can further help you.

#1 Performance and Speed

There have been several reports issued on the significance of performance and speed. 79% of online shoppers facing trouble with site speed and overall performance say they won’t visit or patronize the website again.

It shows that all the apps and sites you develop must be responsive and load faster—within 2-3 seconds. Of course, speed and performance vary due to a plethora of elements such as hardware resources, memory, storage space, code logic, hard disk access time, data path width, and more. What programming language you use is also a factor to consider.

It’s exceptionally faster than many programming languages, including Python. Zend Engine 3.0 was also released with PHP 7, making the programming language 2x faster than its previous version.

Whereas Python’s code compilation process is designed to be quicker, developers are no longer required to install caching systems. When a file is created and/or modified, it converts this code into bytecode. It was way faster than what PHP used to be before PHP 7.x was introduced.

However, if you want to build a simple application where speed and time lag don’t have much impact, you can use Python and PHP.

But overall, here in PHP vs. Python, PHP wins when it comes to performance.

#2. Framework Options

Both PHP and Python have a wide range of library support and framework options. Commonly used names include Zend, CodeIgniter, Symfony, Laravel, Yii, Phalcon, and more. Many modern PHP apps utilize Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgnitor due to their minimal configuration requirements, higher scalability, dynamic typing, and faster performance.

Whereas Python and other scripting languages offer several web frameworks to support your development with a high level of customization and support functionalities like interpreting requests, producing responses, storing data, etc. Some famous names worth considering here are Django, TurboGears, Pylons, CubicWeb, Flask, Bottle, Pyramid, and more.

I will say it’s a tie in Python vs PHP because both support web frameworks pretty well.

#3 Developer’s Community

Is there any way to write code flawlessly without any issue? Probably not! In Python vs. PHP, both widely used languages provide vital community support. So if you’re a startup or not a pro in programming, you still should not worry. You can get dedicated help quickly and more efficiently with the services provided by PHP web development companies and make inroads for success.

These days, it is crucial to have strong community support because nobody can write good code without any issues or bugs. And high-end community support can ease your work to a great extent.

Conclusion

With all the pointers mentioned earlier, like solid community support and framework options, in the race of PHP vs Python, both turn out to be equally competent. From an entrepreneurship point of view, Python appears to be a better choice than PHP and outsmarts PHP. Whereas from the developer’s point of view, PHP defeats Python. So whatever server-side programming language you choose, you will create dynamic web pages.