PHP is an HTML-embedded scripting language that’s been around since 1995, originally created by Rasmus Lerdorf and now maintained by The PHP Group and Free Software Foundation (FSF). PHP has evolved considerably since its early days as a simple scripting language, but it still retains its original ability to be easily embedded in HTML. Today, PHP powers over 80% of websites on the internet, making it one of the most popular server-side scripting languages in use today. But what are the top business benefits of using PHP? What makes it stand out from other languages?
#1. Open-Source
The language is free and open-source, meaning that it can be customized to suit almost any business. For example, a system administrator can install a new module to make a new function available in PHP, or they can develop an entirely new programming language based on PHP’s framework.
#2. Tons of Database Options
PHP is particularly well-suited to work with many different databases. There are extensions to access MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and other databases. Each database extension has its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s possible to develop applications that use a mix of these databases, although I’d recommend not doing so unless you absolutely need it. Even then, it will be worth spending some time investigating your options before you decide which database(s) will suit your app best. You can hire dedicated PHP programmers.
#3. An Abundance of PHP Experts
What matters most when hiring for web development projects is having a pool of talented developers with experience in your project’s technology stack. PHP is one of today’s most popular programming languages, making it easy to recruit talent that can create an impact on your team. All major web hosting companies offer frameworks and services based on PHP, meaning top talent is already familiar with its best practices and quirks.
#4. Tons of Plugins Facilitating Quicker Development Cycle
With a popular programming language like PHP, there’s no shortage of plugins to help developers speed up their development cycle. For example, if you need to output code snippets in different ways (or in different languages), there are several plugins that can do it. Or if you want to test your code without firing up your site, there are browser-based testing options available to help get that part done quickly and easily.
#5. Reduced Load Time by Using High Speed & Reliable Hosting Services
In fact, according to one report from Verizon Wireless, 50% of a site’s visitors will abandon it if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. This is why having a fast-loading website is critical; speeding up your web pages will make your audience feel more comfortable doing business with you. This can be done by using high-speed hosting services and also by optimizing your code and using CDN (Content Delivery Network).
Conclusion
We’ve offered a ton of reasons why businesses should consider using PHP for web development. Ultimately, it’s up to your team to decide which programming language best fits your project needs, but know that with its low learning curve and variety of community support options, PHP is a great choice. Want to discuss more? Contact a php web development company.
