I. Introduction
This article covers my curated list of the seven best and most useful VS code extensions for PHP Developers.
PHP remains one of the top programming languages with an estimated 77.8% of websites in the world using PHP. VS Code on the other hand remains the IDE of choice for most developers according to StackOverflow and Wakatime Reports.
II. 7 Useful VS Code Extensions For PHP Developers
#1: PHP Tools
When it comes to PHP development on VS Code, this is a must-have extension. It comes packed with several tools that make PHP coding a breeze alongside each other and the PHP Intelephense extension.
It features fast code completion, code formatting, code fixes, test explorer, tests debugger, code generators, debugger, built-in development web server, and code analysis.
Another exciting feature is the code lens which shows developers how often a particular function or class has been used within their codebase.
#2: PHP Intelephense
Sitting at over 7 million installs, this is one of the most popular PHP Visual Studio extensions available. PHP Intelephense is built to boost developers’ productivity through its countless features, including code auto-formatting, real-time error detection, and access to official PHP documentation on hover.
#3: GitHub Copilot
If you are looking for a code completion tool on steroids, GitHub Copilot is all you need. This is a pair programming extension that is built by Github (and Microsoft) based on the OpenAI codex.
It is handy for PHP developers, writing complete scripts or functions if guided and queried correctly. It uses machine learning to learn your coding habits and how you name variables, amongst other things, to improve on its suggestions and the naming of variables.
#4: Code Runner
Code Runner is an essential VS Code extension that enables PHP developers to execute sections of their code or PHP files within their project. It works with numerous other programming languages too including C, C++, Python, .NET, Swift, Ruby and Go.
#5: MySQL by Weijan Chen
PHP Developers work with databases very often and this extension brings a database manager and querying tool into VS Code. It enables developers to connect to local and remote databases right from the code editor.
MySQL Extension supports SQL and NoSQL databases including MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Redis, MariaDB, and ElasticSearch.
#6: PHP Debug
Simply, the PHP Debug extension brings PHP debugging right into VS code. Debugging your code is possibly one of the most tedious tasks in coding but this takes a huge load off it.
It allows PHP developers to insert breakpoints within code and step through and into various sections of their code as they try to find bugs and errors.
#7: Composer
Composer is the most popular package manager for PHP and this extension brings composer and packagist support right into VS Code.
The Composer extension packs several features including autocompleting package names in composer.json, completion of version numbers and suggesting code actions like updating outdated composer packages.
III. Conclusion
These 7 VS Code extensions should get you going with PHP development in 2024. Fell free to check out our other language-specific VS Code articles.
