Did you know almost half the websites use PHP as of today, and this number is going to continue to rise? Many companies hire a PHP developer just for this reason alone, but the global web development market creates a lot of demand for а PHP developer for hire, so, in this article, we’ll dig deep into what brings PHP to the forefront and the factors that will affect hiring personnel.

PHP as a top-tier web development language?

PHP has been gaining significant traction in recent years as a top-tier web development language. Its versatility, ease of use, and widespread adoption have made it an attractive option for companies looking to hire PHP programmers. Let’s explore three key reasons behind PHP’s growing popularity.

Solid Reputation

PHP has been around for almost 30 years and has built a solid reputation over the years. It is widely used by many popular websites like Facebook, Wikipedia, and WordPress, demonstrating its reliability and performance capabilities. 

The long-standing track record gives businesses the confidence to hire PHP programmers, knowing they’re investing in a proven technology that has stood the test of time.

Quick Turnaround Times

Time is money, as the old idiom goes, and PHP allows for quick turnaround times when it comes to web development. PHP is an easy-to-learn language with a large and active community, providing countless resources, libraries, and frameworks that accelerate development processes. 

It means businesses can expect faster project completion when they hire PHP programmers, ultimately saving time and money.

Flexibility and Scalability

PHP is highly flexible and scalable, allowing developers to customize solutions for a wide range of applications easily. 

Its compatibility with various databases and platforms makes it an ideal option for creating dynamic web applications. 

Moreover, PHP’s scalability ensures that as a business grows, its web applications can grow with it, further solidifying the appeal of anyone that may need a PHP developer.

PHP 8.2 – the “pacey player”

PHP 8.2, dubbed the “pacey player,” has proven to be a game-changer in web development. 

Coming as an upgrade from its predecessor (PHP 8.1), PHP 8.2 is very buffed and comes with an array of improvements and features that have left developers and businesses excited.

For starters, PHP 8.2 is 15% faster than PHP 7.4, which means that websites and applications built with this version can provide even better performance for end-users. The improved speed significantly boosts the overall efficiency and user experience, making it worth considering if you need a PHP programmer.

Now stable and with support up to 2025, PHP 8.2 ensures that businesses and developers can rely on it for years to come. The extended support period provides peace of mind and allows developers to focus on building and maintaining their projects without worrying about abrupt changes or updates.

Another key feature introduced in PHP 8.2 is the new random number generator (RNG). The RNG improves the security and performance of applications that require random number generation, making it an indispensable addition to the language.

Another notable element is the introduction of read-only classes. These classes allow developers to create immutable objects that cannot be modified once they are initialized, improving the predictability and stability of applications.

Last but not least on our list, PHP 8.2 also includes sensitive parameter value redaction. This feature enhances security by preventing sensitive information from being accidentally leaked in error messages, logs, or other outputs.

Advantages and Disadvantages of PHP

PHP has long been a popular choice for web developers, and many businesses are opting to hire PHP coders for their projects. In this article, we’ll delve into the advantages and disadvantages of PHP, shedding light on why it has remained a go-to web development language.

Advantages

• Simplicity: PHP is easy to learn and use, making it a top choice for both beginners and experienced developers.
• Cost-effective: As an open-source language, PHP is free to use, reducing development costs and making it accessible to all.
• Strong community support: PHP boasts a large, active community that offers extensive resources, tutorials, and support for developers.
• Cross-platform compatibility: PHP works seamlessly on various platforms, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, allowing for broader reach and flexibility.
• High-performance: PHP is known for its fast execution and efficient resource usage, which translates to better performance for web applications.

Disadvantages

• Security concerns: PHP’s open-source nature can sometimes lead to security vulnerabilities, though this can be mitigated with proper coding practices and security measures.
• Inconsistency in library functions: The programming language has some discrepancies in its library functions, which may require extra time and effort for developers to learn and adapt to.
• Limited support for high-performance computing: PHP may not be the ultimate choice for high-performance computing, as it is primarily designed for web development.
• Not suitable for desktop applications: PHP is focused on web development and isn’t well-suited for creating desktop applications.

PHP perform against other programming languages?

When comparing PHP to other programming languages, it’s essential to consider the context in which they are being used. Each language has its unique strengths and weaknesses, and its suitability relies on the specific requirements of a project.

JavaScript has become increasingly popular due to its versatility in both front-end and back-end development, thanks to Node.js. While JavaScript excels in creating interactive user interfaces, PHP remains a strong contender for server-side web development. However, PHP can’t be used for front-end development, unlike JavaScript.

Python is another popular language known for its readability and extensive libraries. While Python is often the go-to language for data science and machine learning, PHP holds its ground as a preferred choice for web development, especially with content management systems like WordPress.

Final recap

If you are to hire a PHP developer, then you should definitely consider the pros and cons of the language. And with the world moving towards rapid development, we can safely conclude PHP is here to stay for a long time.