I. Introduction
Is PHP dead? Have you heard the proclamations within developer circles that PHP is dead? I am here to tell you that they are all false statements and that PHP is alive and around.
PHP is an acronym for “PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor“, a widely-used, open-source scripting language.
PHP has been around since 1995, and since its creation, it has become one of the most widely used programming languages on the web. However, in recent years, rumors have been spreading that PHP is dying and losing its relevance in the world of web development.
In this blog, we will explore the history of PHP, its current state, and future prospects and determine why the rumors are false.
II. History of PHP
Rasmus Lerdorf created PHP in 1995 as a set of Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripts for tracking visitors to his website. Over time, Lerdorf added more features and functionality to the language, and by 1997, it had evolved into a full-fledged scripting language.
By the early 2000s, PHP had gained significant popularity as a web development tool, and it remains one of the most widely used languages today.
III. Debunking the Myth that PHP is Dead
a. Is PHP Dead or On the Decline?
It’s difficult to say that PHP is dead, dying, or declining as it continues to be widely used in the web development industry. While there have been concerns about its future in recent years due to the rise of other programming languages and technologies, PHP has remained a popular choice for building dynamic websites and web-based applications.
According to the latest statistics, PHP is still used by over 77% of websites, and its popularity has remained relatively high in recent years. Additionally, many popular content management systems, such as WordPress and Drupal, are built using PHP, further reinforcing its continued use and popularity.
While it’s true that some web developers and organizations are moving towards other technologies, PHP will remain widely used and supported. As a result, its future as a critical player in the web development industry will likely continue for the foreseeable future.
While PHP may grow slower than other technologies, it is not dying or declining and remains a valuable and widely used tool in the web development industry.
b. Why does PHP have a bad reputation in 2024?
So why have rumors of PHP’s death been circulating in recent years? The truth is that these rumors stem from misconceptions about the language and its role in the world of web development.
Many developers believe that PHP is outdated and inferior to other languages such as Python and Ruby, but this is simply not the case.
PHP remains a versatile and powerful language that offers many advantages, including its ease of use, strong community support, and seamless integration with other technologies.
Furthermore, countless real-world examples of successful applications and websites were built using PHP, proving that it is still a viable and valuable tool for web development.
IV. Current State of PHP
a. Version
At the time of writing, the latest available version of PHP is version 8.2.1.
PHP 8.2 is a major update of the PHP language. It contains many new features, including read-only classes, null, false, and true as stand-alone types, deprecated dynamic properties, performance improvements, and more.
b. Market Share and Usage
Despite the rumors that PHP is dead, it continues to be a popular and widely used language in the world of web development. According to W3Techs, PHP is currently used by 77.8% of all websites, making it the most widely used server-side scripting language on the web.
c. What is PHP used for?
Here are six varying usages of PHP:
- PHP generates dynamic web pages based on user input, database information, and other factors for building dynamic websites.
- Online stores and shopping cart systems use PHP to create secure and customizable e-commerce solutions for e-commerce applications.
- PHP, widely used for developing popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, powers Content Management Systems (CMS).
- PHP develops a wide range of web-based applications, such as project management tools, customer relationship management systems, and forums, for building web-based applications.
- Server-side scripting: PHP is a server-side language that runs on the server, allowing for creation of dynamic and interactive web pages.
- Integration with databases: PHP can interact with MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle databases to manage and retrieve data.
d. Who Uses PHP?
Different type of professionals use PHP in their day to day workflows including:
- Web developers: PHP is a popular choice among web developers for building dynamic websites and web-based applications.
- Small businesses: Many businesses use PHP to create simple, affordable, customizable websites.
- Freelancers: PHP is a popular choice for freelancers due to its versatility and ease of use.
- Enterprises: Many large enterprises use PHP for building custom applications and integrating with other technologies, such as databases and content management systems.
- Government organizations: Some government organizations use PHP to develop websites and web-based applications for internal use and public-facing services.
- Non-profit organizations: Many non-profit organizations use PHP to build simple and cost-effective websites to promote their causes and engage with supporters
e. Do Big Companies Still Use PHP?
Major companies like Facebook, MailChimp, Etsy, Wikipedia, and Slack continue to use PHP for their websites and applications. In addition, the language continues to receive updates and improvements, including performance and security enhancements that make it more appealing to companies.
f. How much are PHP Developers Paid?
According to Zip Recruiter, the Average Salary for a PHP Developer in the United States is $88,535 per year or $43 per hour as of 22 January 2023. The 25th Percentile and most entry-level PHP developers average $67,500 per year.
The 75th percentile of PHP Developers earns an average of $104,000 annually, with the top earners (90th percentile) averaging $123,000 annually across the United States.
Of course, this depends on several factors, including education level, company, certifications, and years of experience.
They also list San Mateo, CA; Boston, MA; Daly City, CA; Renton, WA; and Santa Monica, CA, as the top 5 high-paying cities for PHP Developers in the United States.
IV. Debunking the Myth of PHP Being Dead
a. Is PHP Dying or In the Decline?
The web development industry widely uses PHP, making it difficult to say that PHP is dead, dying, or declining. While there have been concerns about its future in recent years due to the rise of other programming languages and technologies, PHP has remained a popular choice for building dynamic websites and web-based applications.
According to the latest statistics, PHP is still used by over 77% of websites, and its popularity has remained relatively high in recent years. Many popular content management systems, such as WordPress and Drupal, build using PHP further reinforce its continued use and popularity.
While it’s true that some web developers and organizations are moving towards other technologies, PHP continues to be widely used and supported. As a result, its future as a critical player in the web development industry will likely continue for the foreseeable future.
While PHP may grow slower than other technologies, it is not dying or declining and remains a valuable and widely used tool in the web development industry.
b. Why does PHP have a bad reputation in 2024?
So why have rumors of PHP’s death been circulating in recent years? The truth is that these rumors stem from misconceptions about the language and its role in the world of web development.
Many developers believe that PHP is outdated and inferior to other languages, such as Python and Ruby, but this is not the case. Moreover, these opinions are often ill-advised.
Furthermore, it now seems cool to hate on PHP within developer circles, especially among newer developers. This is primarily because PHP is not as popular as Javascript and Python in the last few years.
V. The Future of PHP
Despite the rumors of its demise, PHP is not going anywhere anytime soon. On the contrary, the language continues to receive updates and improvements, and its future looks bright.
In the coming years, we can expect to see the release of new versions of PHP, further integration with other technologies, and continued growth and development of the PHP ecosystem.
a. Should You Learn PHP In 2024?
Yes. You should definitely learn PHP in 2024 and here are five reasons why:
- Demand for PHP developers: The web development industry still demands PHP developers due to PHP’s continued widespread use.
- Versatility: It’s versatility enables PHP to construct a range of websites and applications, from simple personal blogs to complex e-commerce platforms.
- Integration with other technologies: PHP integrates well with other technologies, such as databases, content management systems, and front-end technologies, making it a valuable skill to have in your web development toolkit.
- Large community: PHP has a large and active community of developers who provide support, resources, and information, making it easy to find help when needed.
- Ease of use: PHP is relatively easy to learn, especially if you have prior experience with programming frameworks like Laravel, Symfony & CodeIgniter.
b. Is it difficult to learn PHP?
No, PHP is not difficult to learn for many people. It has a straightforward syntax, good documentation, and a large community that provides support and resources. Many web developers find PHP easy to pick up and start using for building web apps and websites.
Also Read: How To Become a PHP Developer in 2024. [Complete Beginner’s Guide]
However, as with any programming language, the difficulty level may vary based on a person’s prior experience and background in programming. But with dedication and effort, anyone can learn PHP and build dynamic web applications in no time.
VI. Conclusion
In conclusion, we have definitely exaggerated the rumors of PHP’s demise. PHP remains a popular and widely used language in web development, and its future looks bright.
Despite its age, PHP continues to be a versatile and powerful tool that offers many advantages and is not going away anytime soon.
Whether you are a seasoned PHP developer or just starting, there is no need to worry about the future of the language. PHP is alive and well and will continue to be a valuable tool for web development for years to come.
