When it comes to web development, there is a vast list of languages that can be used for building a tech platform. JavaScript, Python, C#, PHP, Swift, Objective C, Ruby, Lua, and Java are some of the mainstream programming languages used by web developers.
Recently, Statista conducted a wide-scale survey on programming languages used by developers. In the survey (as of 2022), 48.07% and 20.87% of respondents used Python and PHP for development, respectively.
Whether you are looking to hire PHP developers or consult Python experts, you must consider your project requirements. Read on to understand how to choose the best language for web development between PHP and Python in 2023.
A Brief Overview of PHP
PHP (Hypertext Pre-processor) is among the most popular programming languages for web development. It is a server-side and open-source scripting language for designing engaging web pages. Launched in 1995, PHP has grown over the years due to its easy-to-use syntax and effective libraries.
Since the language is open-source, web developers can easily modify existing codes and save time. Developers can add dynamic functionalities to websites and make them engaging via PHP.
A static HTML file might not help users to retrieve information and perform complicated tasks. It is where PHP comes into the picture for making websites more dynamic, interactive, and engaging.
Here are some standout features to know before you hire PHP developers for a project:
- PHP code can be easily applied as compared to other programming languages
- PHP is brilliant for database integration as it is highly compatible with databases like Oracle and MySQL
- Web developers can download PHP for free and modify existing codes as it is an open-source language
- It has several error-reporting constants to help developers write error-free codes
- It offers a wide range of libraries and frameworks to help web developers
- PHP first runs on the server side before going to the user’s browser, thus inducing dynamic content
A Brief Overview of Python
Python is another open-source programming language that uses the concept of objects. Developed in 1991, Python is currently among the most popular programming language for web development. Most developers prefer Python due to its enhanced readability.
Since Python’s syntax can be easily read and understood, it is easy even for novices in the field of web development. Python frameworks, libraries, and tools make it easier for developers to embed advanced features. Besides offering a large number of modules, Python is a versatile and scalable programming language for web developers.
Here are some standout features of Python for web developers:
- It does not need different UIs (User Interfaces) for different hardware devices
- Interactive debugging and testing are possible with Python
- With high readability, Python is easy to use and understand, even for novices
- It can be easily integrated with codes in other programming languages like C++ and Java
- Python interpreter (the executor) can help with the inclusion of low-level modules
- An automatic garbage collection facility is available with Python
Choosing the Right Language for Web Development Between PHP and Python
Choosing a programming language between PHP and Python for a web development project might be daunting. The choice will depend on your web development project requirements and type. Let us compare both languages based on some aspects of web development.
Performance
Based on performance, both languages have their pros and cons. When it comes to handling large volumes of data, PHP might have the edge over Python. Since PHP is specially optimized for web development, it can easily handle large volumes of data.
However, PHP might not offer the same scalability as Python for web development. If you are looking for speed, go with PHP, as the latest versions have just-in-time compilers to offer enhanced speed.
Frameworks for Web Development
PHP offers many frameworks for web development, like Yii, CakePHP, Codelgniter, Symfony, and Laravel. On the other hand, Python also offers a wide range of web development frameworks, like Django, Flask, Pyramid, CherryPy, Bottle, and Tornado.
Since both programming languages offer a wide range of frameworks for web development, it is hard to decide on a winner. However, some web development experts might go with PHP for a large number of options available in terms of frameworks.
Testing/Debugging
You can hire PHP developers or go with Python experts for testing or debugging. Both programming languages offer an in-built debugger to make the code error-free. Python offers PDB, an in-built debugger that helps with variable inspection, post-mortem debugging, and stepping.
On the other hand, PHP offers XDebug to check for errors and debug with minimal effort. Since both programming languages offer debuggers with similar features, you can choose any of them.
Libraries for Web Development
PHP offers many in-built libraries for web development like Mail, PDO, Sessions, and Filesystem. On the other hand, Python offers several in-built libraries for web development like Keras, TensorFlow, and Scikit Learn. Compared to PHP, the repository for in-built libraries is huge in Python.
You can find Python libraries for almost every single task, including data science and machine learning operations. However, it does not mean that PHP has nothing to offer. It also has an excellent repository offering in-built libraries for web development.
Website Traffic
Many languages have been developed over the years for web development. However, websites using PHP have not migrated to other languages over the years. The same cannot be said for Python-based websites. For the same rationale, one must choose PHP when developing a high-traffic website.
Usage in Different Fields
If you are solely focused on web development projects, hire PHP developers. It is because PHP is extensively developed for web development tasks. On the other hand, Python is a multi-purpose language used for game development, machine learning operations, and web development.
In a Nutshell
Both Python and PHP have their pros and cons for web developers. It is essential to consider individual project requirements and hire web developers accordingly. Also, don’t forget to connect with the right firm offering expert developers to complete the project as expected. Hire Python or PHP developers right away!
