Have you heard of the word PHP? If not, don’t worry; we are going to talk about it in this article. PHP is a recursive acronym for Hypertext Preprocessor. It is a widely used open-source general-purpose scripting language. PHP is mostly used for web development and can be included in HTML.
PHP developers are responsible for writing server-side web application logic. They are responsible for developing back-end components and connecting applications with other web services. Also note that PHP used to stand for Personal Home Page, but that name ran the risk of pigeonholing the language, so it was changed.
The server executes the PHP code, and then the client receives the generated HTML code. PHP is a relatively simple language for a novice to learn. Despite how simple it is, it does not rule out the impressive number of advanced features that experienced PHP programmers will like.
Who is a PHP Developer?
A PHP developer is a professional who develops applications, programs and websites using the dynamic scripting language called PHP.
Sounds easy enough, right? Sometimes, PHP developers are referred to by more generic titles. Titles that befit their profession, like software developer or web developer. However, PHP developers are just a specialized subset of the developer position.
In programming, 79% of all websites whose server-side programming language is used fluently use PHP. The language is everywhere, favored by popular sites such as Facebook, Pinterest, Google, Tumblr, Wikipedia and even WordPress.
Roles And Responsibilities
1. They create, test, and implement new website applications in a timely and efficient manner. And they do this while concurrently working with other developers to meet data acquisition requirements
2. They identify and fix compatibility issues involving CSS, HTML, and scripting. This is often between a series of different platforms and browsers.
3. They test run websites on all sorts of browsers (mobile, notebook, tablet) and address issues identified by customer feedback.
4. They do more research and explore various architectural factors relating to the system design process. This includes web usability, the website’s performance, and the database design. PHP developers also explore and assess different alternatives for implementing new application features.
5. They always collaborate with front-end developers to integrate their work with the application. Communicate with and work alongside other development teams and company management to solve conflicts. PHP developers establish priorities and select the best solutions or develop criteria for new solutions.
6. They develop plans for keeping the website updated and current at all times. They can do this by recommending improvements for performance.
7. PHP developers create and arrange style guidelines for the website’s content. Choosing the most effective design tools, programming languages, and applications.
8. These developers provide detailed descriptions of website specifications, such as product features and product budgets. And also the programming languages, communication protocols, functionalities, structure and deadlines to beat.
9. They also keep up with the latest programming practices and web technologies through reading. They can continue their educational opportunities and participate in relevant professional workshops and conferences.
The Most Popular PHP Frameworks
When choosing a PHP framework, consider factors such as learning curve, ease of use, technical requirements, and the type of application you are building. It’s essential to test out different frameworks before implementing them into your tech stack to find the one that best suits your needs
1. Laravel
Laravel is the most popular free, open-source PHP framework. Launched in 2011, it is easy to get started with Laravel Homestead. And it can handle complex applications securely at a faster pace compared to other frameworks.
It offers an expressive syntax and elegant syntax for defining routes, controllers, and views. Laravel also includes features like database migrations, Eloquent ORM, Blade templating engine, and middleware. This is used to request handling and error handling.
Laravel’s focus on convention over configuration. Its extensive documentation makes it a favorite among PHP developers.
2. Symfony
A modular PHP framework with a built-in debugging system. It is complete in all ways and contains extensive documentation. Symfony is known for its flexibility and scalability.
Symfony is another powerful PHP framework that helps PHP developers build secure web applications. It is one of the best options that helps simplify development, reduces a lack of market audience and fosters collaboration.
With Symfony, developers have many options for tools, libraries and integrations to choose from. It is aimed at delivering high-quality applications that meet the needs of modern businesses.
3. CodeIgniter
A lightweight PHP framework with MVC support. CodeIgniter is an amazing tool for creating web applications. It makes its functions focus more on simplicity and ease of use.
It further has an intuitive and easy-to-learn architecture, coupled with a vast library of plugins and add-ons. It helps empower developers to create feature-rich and scalable web applications with minimal coding effort.
CodeIgniter’s small footprint and fast performance make it an ideal choice for small to medium-sized projects. While its rich security features ensure the protection of sensitive data.
4. CakePHP
This is another PHP framework that follows the MVC architecture. CakePHP is simple to handle and operate and easy to use, making it a popular choice for beginners. It follows the model-view-controller (MVC) pattern, offering features like scaffolding, ORM, and built-in security measures.
With conventions over configurations, CakePHP streamlines coding and allows developers to focus on application logic rather than boilerplate code. Its modular architecture and ease of use make it a preferred option.
5. Yii
Yii is a high-performance PHP framework that is authentically made for complexity. It is known for its speed and security features, and it is also suitable for building complex web applications.
Yii provides a good codebase with features like ActiveRecord, caching, and form validation. It uses these while adhering to the model-view-controller (MVC) design.
Its efficiency and simplicity allow for quick development. It makes room for extensions and strong security features help create systems.
6. Zend
A PHP framework like Zend provides a comprehensive set of tools for building web applications. The components of Zend are focused on its stability and security.
Zend is a popular open-source PHP framework that gives you more options and components for building web applications. It is known for its modular architecture, which allows PHP developers to easily create and manage applications.
Zend Framework 2, for example, has an initial configuration system and an application configuration system . These are used to configure the framework’s components and modules. The framework is composed of over 60 components, handling various functionalities.
7. Phalcon
A PHP framework of high standard, like Phalcon, is known for its speed and ease of use. It is a preferred choice for developers to use in building web applications that perform well. It was created by Andres Gutierrez and others and first released in 2012.
Unlike most PHP frameworks, Phalcon is implemented as a web server extension. It was written in Zephir and C, aiming to boost execution speed and reduce resource usage. Hence, it also handles more HTTP requests per second than comparable frameworks written primarily in PHP.
8. FuelPHP
FeelPHP is an open-source web written in PHP that implements the Hierarchical Model-View-Controller (HMVC) pattern. It was developed by a small team, including Philip Harro Verton, Jelmer Schreuder, and Dan Horrigan, and was first released in 2010.
This is an interactive PHP framework that is known for its flexibility and ease. And it makes it useful for building web applications with a focus on simplicity.
FuelPHP is known for its flexibility, modularity, and performance. It offers a simple configuration system, an easy-to-use Object-Relational Mapping (ORM), and supports various template parsers such as Smarty, Twig, and PHPTal.
9. Laminas Project
A PHP framework that provides a comprehensive set of tools for building web applications. The Laminas Project is known for its stability and security.
The Laminas Project is an open-source, object-oriented web application framework implemented in PHP 7. It is licensed under the New BSD License. It is a community-supported, open-source continuation of Zend Framework. Known to be providing enterprise-ready PHP components and an MVC framework.
Laminas offers a fully featured XML-RPC server and client implementation, as well as XML2JSON functionality. It also has a recommended installation method via the Composer package manager.
10. Fat-Free
Fat-Free, a lightweight PHP framework, is known to be simple and easy to use. Despite being lightweight, it still maintains a brand for building web applications with a focus on simplicity.
It was created by Bong Cosca in 2009 and follows a slow approach to web development, providing only the essential tools needed. Fat-Free is easy to learn and use. It solely supports multiple databases, including MySQL, SQLite, and PostgreSQL.
This framework is known for its simplicity, speed, and versatility. Also, it has a gentle learning curve, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Fat-Free is also highly customizable, allowing developers to add third-party tools when needed.
Becoming A PHP Developer
To become a PHP developer, you should have a good understanding of these computer languages: PHP, Ajax, jQuery, and MySQL. Additionally, you should be familiar with server operating systems like Linux and Windows.
You must also be familiar with web fundamentals such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Be fluent with content management systems like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.
The Average Salary
The average salary for a PHP developer varies based on their experience, location, years of expertise and company size. According to ZipRecruiter, freelance PHP developers make an average of $89,000 per year or $43 per hour.
To find a PHP developer, you can search on platforms like Upwork or Indeed. There, you can hire freelancers or full-time employees based on their skills and experience.
Top PHP Developers
There are many popular PHP developers and development companies available. Some of the top PHP development companies include Cleveroad, Lemosys Infotech Pvt. Ltd., SmartTek Solutions and A3Logics.
The list continues with Toptal, Iflexion, Cyber Infrastructure, Hidden Brains, Seasia Infotech, Diceus, and Saigon Technology. Also: Lasting Dynamics, Diffco, Suffescom Solutions Inc., Fullestop, Kanda Software, Binmile, and Ronas IT.
These companies specialize in building secure and functional PHP solutions. This always facilitates the transformation of businesses of all sizes and industries. They engage in building highly functional websites, combining the latest technologies with their expertise.
To find the best PHP development company, you need to define your project before looking for a development company to produce it. Don’t just rush into searching for PHP developers, because they might not know exactly what you have at heart. Consider essential details such as budget, timeframes, nature, scope, and objectives before hiring one.
Conclusion
Conclusively, we already stated that PHP developers utilize the open-source scripting language PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor). This is to create dynamic and interactive websites and web applications. They write code to manipulate data, communicate with databases, generate dynamic content, and implement security measures.
They use these codes to optimize performance and ensure cross-platform compatibility. PHP developers also collaborate with designers and other developers. In order to bring a generic integration of front-end and back-end functionalities.