Consent

This site uses third party services that need your consent.

Skip to content
Steven Roland

PHP

Hey there, fellow developers! Today, let's dive into PHP, a server-side scripting language that I've had the opportunity to work with extensively in various web projects. While it's just one of many programming languages used for web development, PHP has some interesting features and a rich history that are worth discussing.

What is PHP?

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a widely-used open source general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for web development and can be embedded into HTML. It's primarily used for server-side scripting, but can also be used for command-line scripting and desktop applications.

Key Features I've Explored

Through my experiences with PHP, I've found these aspects particularly noteworthy:

  1. Easy to Learn: PHP has a gentle learning curve, making it accessible for beginners.

  2. Cross-Platform: It works on various platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS, etc.).

  3. Database Compatibility: Supports a wide range of databases.

  4. Framework Ecosystem: Rich selection of frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter.

  5. Large Community: Extensive resources and support available online.

Working with PHP

When I've used PHP in projects, it typically fits into the workflow like this:

  1. Setting up a local development environment (e.g., XAMPP, WAMP)

  2. Writing PHP scripts to handle server-side logic

  3. Integrating with databases for data storage and retrieval

  4. Using PHP frameworks for larger, more complex projects

  5. Deploying PHP applications to web servers

Recent Developments

PHP has seen significant improvements in recent years:

  • PHP 8.x introduced features like JIT compilation, union types, and named arguments.

  • Increased focus on performance and security enhancements.

  • Growing adoption of modern development practices (e.g., Composer for dependency management).

Considerations

While PHP offers many benefits, there are also some points to consider:

  • Some developers argue that PHP's flexibility can lead to inconsistent coding practices.

  • Older versions of PHP (like PHP 5.x) are no longer supported and may pose security risks.

  • Competition from other server-side technologies like Node.js and Python.

Final Thoughts

PHP continues to be a cornerstone of web development, powering a significant portion of websites worldwide. Its longevity and ongoing evolution demonstrate its adaptability in the ever-changing landscape of web technologies. While it may not be the perfect fit for every project, understanding PHP remains valuable for many web developers.

Have you used PHP in your projects? Or are you curious about how it compares to other server-side technologies? I'd be interested in hearing your experiences or answering any questions in the comments below!

Setting Up a Custom BelongsTo Relationship in Laravel Nova

Learn how to set up a BelongsTo field called "Partner" in Laravel Nova that relates to a Team model. Define the relationship in your model and configure the Nova resource to display it intuitively, ensuring a user-friendly admin interface.

Generating Unique Lowercase Handles in Laravel Models

This blog post explains how to generate unique, lowercase handles in Laravel models. It covers defining the model, creating a unique key method, using model events for automatic handle assignment, and allowing user overrides for customization.

Creating a Simple PHP Wrapper for Google reCAPTCHA

Create a reusable PHP class for Google reCAPTCHA to protect web forms from spam that supports static methods, default keys with override options, and easy integration into forms. It simplifies displaying the reCAPTCHA widget and verifying responses.

Laravel with a Legacy Database

If you ever need to work with a database that doesn't quite follow convention, remember that Laravel has some pretty sweet built-in functionality to help you use that old data in new ways.

Simple PHP CSRF Token

CSRF tokens, or anti-CSRF tokens, are a security measure used to prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks. They work by ensuring that a submitted request is only accepted by a web application if it contains a string that the server expects.

Building a Blockchain with PHP

Learn how to build a blockchain with PHP, explore its benefits, and discover real-world applications, from supply chain management to financial services.

How to Register Global Functions in PHP Using Composer

Learn how to register global functions in PHP using Composer. This guide covers creating a helpers file, configuring Composer, updating the autoloader, and using global functions. Best practices and tips for efficient implementation are also discussed.

Customizing Taxonomy Routes in Statamic

Learn how to customize taxonomy routes in Statamic for better site navigation and SEO. Use default routes or opt for custom solutions with Laravel or the Bonus Routes addon to create user-friendly and integrated URLs.

Building a Simple Marketing Website with Laravel Folio

Learn to build a simple marketing website using Laravel Folio. Set up a Laravel project, install Folio, create pages with Blade templates, and maintain consistency with layouts. Quickly create dynamic content for your marketing site.

Using CSRF Tokens with AJAX in PHP

Secure AJAX requests in PHP by implementing CSRF tokens, ensuring each asynchronous submission is authorized and protected against attacks.