PHP: What You Need to Know

Contents:

• Why do you need PHP?
• Pros, cons, and features of PHP.
• PHP vs. JavaScript.
• Demand and salary.

PHP initially had many errors and shortcomings, which led to a negative attitude towards it as a "sub-language". However, since its inception, PHP has undergone numerous changes that have positively impacted its functionality. Today, PHP is a fully-fledged programming language with unique features and extensive capabilities. It is actively used to create web applications and dynamic websites, attracting developers due to its simplicity and flexibility. PHP continues to evolve, incorporating new technologies and improving performance, making it a relevant tool in modern programming.

PHP is currently one of the most popular programming languages ​​for web development. It is actively used in the creation and support of large projects such as Facebook, which is largely based on this language. Other well-known platforms that use PHP include WordPress, Wikipedia, Yahoo, and Tumblr. Thanks to its simplicity and extensive capabilities, PHP continues to be a popular choice for developers around the world.

PHP is a general-purpose programming language used to create dynamic web pages and web applications. This scripting language allows developers to write scripts that automate various tasks typically performed manually. Using PHP scripts helps minimize errors, save time, and simplify the process of editing code without worrying about changes affecting other parts of the application. Unlike many other programming languages, PHP does not require compilation, making it ideal for small, routine web development tasks. Due to its simplicity and flexibility, PHP remains one of the most popular languages ​​for creating websites and web services.

To become a successful developer, it is important to understand that working with PHP is inextricably linked to markup and stylesheet languages ​​such as HTML and CSS. Knowledge of PHP alone is not sufficient for full-fledged web development. Mastering HTML allows you to structure content, and CSS helps with its visual presentation. Understanding the interactions between these technologies is key to creating functional and aesthetically pleasing web applications. Therefore, if your goal is to become a skilled developer, it's important to learn all three languages.

Why PHP?

PHP was originally developed for web development and is now primarily used for backend development, which involves creating the server-side portion of websites. PHP is often used to create dynamic pages and small web applications. Here are some examples of its application:

• working with databases;
• creating a comment system;
• developing forums;
• developing a site search;
• creating a page for registration and login.

Pros, Cons, and Features of PHP

PHP has features that make it a unique programming language. One of the key characteristics is weak dynamic typing. This means that variable types are determined at runtime, allowing developers to use different data types together. Implicit type conversions occur automatically, simplifying the process of working with data. These features make PHP a flexible tool for web development, allowing you to easily adapt code to different tasks and requirements.

Code typing has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, it makes the code simpler, more flexible, and easier to read, and simplifies the writing process. On the other hand, it increases the likelihood of errors that may only be discovered after running the program. This is important to consider when developing software, as proper typing can significantly affect the quality and reliability of the final product.

PHP syntax is quite simple. Typically, PHP code is embedded in HTML, which allows for dynamic generation of web pages. In this case, the code looks like this:

This code, although longer, remains simple and easy to understand.

PHP vs. JavaScript

JavaScript and PHP are the main web development languages ​​​​that are often used together. Both languages ​​​​are easy to learn and platform independent, which makes them popular among developers. JavaScript runs on the client-side, allowing you to create interactive elements on web pages, while PHP runs on the server-side, handling data processing and dynamically generating content.

There are many reasons why developers choose a combination of these languages. JavaScript is responsible for user interaction, while PHP handles server requests and manages databases. Using both languages ​​allows you to create fully functional web applications that provide good performance and a great user experience.

Therefore, understanding the differences and features of JavaScript and PHP is an important aspect for successful web development.

When choosing a programming language, it is important to consider your goals. If you plan to create single-page dynamic websites or do front-end development, then JavaScript is an ideal choice. This language is widely used for creating interactive user interfaces and provides high performance. On the other hand, if your work involves content management systems such as WordPress or databases such as MySQL, SQL, MariaDB, Oracle, and Sybase, then PHP will be the optimal option. This programming language is ideal for server-side development and allows for efficient interaction with databases, enabling dynamic content generation. The choice between JavaScript and PHP should be based on your specific needs and application area.

Demand and Salaries

PHP attracts many developers due to its simplicity, which is also reflected in the number of vacancies. HH.ru presents over 900 job postings in Moscow, and Yandex.Rabota has over 1,100 vacancies (as of December 2019). This indicates a high demand for PHP developers in the capital region.

Candidate Requirements. Most employers are looking for specialists with knowledge not only of PHP, but also of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Experience with MySQL, which requires the ability to effectively manage databases, is also often in demand.

PHP programmer salaries in Moscow vary depending on skill level and experience. The starting salary for junior developers ranges from 40,000 to 90,000 rubles, while more experienced specialists can earn from 120,000 to 200,000 rubles. The average salary for PHP programmers starts at 70,000 rubles. This data was collected from Yandex.Rabota and HH.ru in December 2019. Given trends in the labor market, it can be expected that these figures may change depending on the demand for specialists in this field.