Why Is PHP Considered Bad: Critique and Alternatives

As a budging web developer, you’ve probably heard complaints claiming “PHP is bad” more times than you can count. While PHP is one of the most popular programming languages for backend web development, it also has a reputation for being a bad language. So, why is PHP bad?

One of the main reasons why PHP is considered a bad language is its inconsistent syntax. PHP has a lot of inconsistencies in its syntax, which can make it difficult for developers to learn and use effectively. This can lead to confusion and errors, especially for new developers.

Another reason why PHP is considered a bad language is its security issues. PHP has had a history of security vulnerabilities, which can make it easy for hackers to exploit. While PHP has improved its security over the years, it still has a long way to go. As a developer, it’s important to be aware of these vulnerabilities and take steps to protect your code.

A Brief Intro to PHP

Let’s start with a brief introduction to PHP.

PHP stands for “PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor”. It is a server-side scripting language that is used to create dynamic and functional web pages. PHP is an open-source language, which means that it is free to use and distribute.

PHP was created in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf and has since become one of the most popular languages for web development. It is estimated that over 70% of websites are built using PHP.

PHP is a loosely typed language, which means that you don’t have to declare the data type of a variable before using it. This makes it easy to write code quickly, but it can also lead to errors if you’re not careful.

PHP is often used in conjunction with a database, such as MySQL. It can be used to create dynamic web pages that display data from a database, such as a list of products or a blog post.

One of the benefits of using PHP is that it is easy to learn. If you’re already familiar with HTML and CSS, you can start learning PHP right away. There are many resources available online, such as tutorials and online courses, that can help you get started with PHP.

Overall, PHP is a powerful language that is used for backend web development. While it has its drawbacks, it is still a widely used language with high demand.

Is PHP Still Used in 2023?

Despite the presence of newer backend languages, PHP is still very popular today. According to W3Techs, as of June 2023, PHP is used by 78.9% of all websites with a known server-side programming language. This makes it the most widely used server-side programming language on the web.

Additionally, PHP is currently ranked 8th on the TIOBE Index, one of the most renowned ranking systems for evaluating the popularity of programming languages.

PHP is continuously updated, and the latest version, PHP 8.2, was released in December 2022. Version 8.3 is also not far on the horizon being expected to be released in 2023. Version 8.2 includes new features, improved performance, and enhanced security.

Additionally, many popular PHP frameworks, such as Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter, are still being developed and are widely used by developers, which keeps the language updated and full of new features.

Many popular tech companies also use PHP. For example, Facebook, which is one of the most visited websites in the world, is built using PHP. Other popular websites built using PHP include Wikipedia, Yahoo, and WordPress.

PHP is also quite easy to learn, and it has a vast community with a wealth of resources available online. This makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced developers. Additionally, PHP has a large number of libraries and frameworks available, making it easy to develop complex web applications quickly.

In conclusion, despite the presence of newer backend languages, PHP is still widely used in 2023. Its popularity, continuous updates, and ease of use make it an excellent choice for many developers and companies.

So, Why Is PHP Considered Bad?

There are several reasons why PHP is considered a bad language by many developers. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common reasons why PHP is disliked.

Inconsistent Function Names and Parameters

One of the biggest complaints about PHP is its inconsistent function names and parameters. For example, some functions use underscores to separate words, while others use camel case (see camel case vs. snake case). Furthermore, the order of parameters can vary between functions, making it difficult to remember the correct order. This inconsistency can lead to confusion and errors, especially for new learners.

Poor Error Handling

PHP’s error handling is often criticized for being inadequate. When an error occurs, PHP may display a vague error message that provides little information about the problem. This can make it difficult to debug code and find the root cause of the problem. Additionally, PHP’s error reporting is often turned off by default, which can make it even more difficult to diagnose issues.

Security Vulnerabilities

PHP has a reputation for being insecure, and there are many documented security vulnerabilities associated with the language. For example, PHP’s eval() function can be used to execute arbitrary code, which can lead to serious security issues if not used carefully. Additionally, PHP’s lack of strong typing can make it difficult to write secure code.

Poor Performance

PHP is often criticized for its poor performance compared to other faster languages. While PHP has made significant improvements in recent years, it still lags behind other languages in terms of raw performance. This can be a problem for high-traffic websites or applications that require fast response times.

Limited Object-Oriented Support

PHP’s object-oriented support is often criticized for being limited and inconsistent. While PHP has made significant improvements in recent years, it still lacks some of the features found in other object-oriented languages. This can make it difficult to write complex, object-oriented code in PHP.

In conclusion, while PHP has its strengths, it also has several weaknesses that can make it a frustrating language to work with. If you’re considering using PHP for your next project, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and choose the language that best suits your needs.

Is PHP Really That Bad?

So, PHP receives a lot of bad criticism. But is this reputation deserved? Surely, PHP has some shortcoming, (just as any other language does), but does is really warrant such an ill fame? Let’s take a second look as to why programmers consider PHP a bad language.

One of the main reasons that PHP gets a bad rap is that it’s often associated with poorly-written code. Because PHP is a relatively easy language to learn, many inexperienced developers end up using it. This can lead to a lot of bad code floating around, which can in turn lead to security vulnerabilities and other issues.

However, it’s important to note that bad code isn’t unique to PHP. Every programming language has its share of poorly-written code, and it’s unfair to blame the language itself for the mistakes of its users.

Another issue that some developers have with PHP is its syntax. Some developers find it messy and inconsistent, with too many ways to accomplish the same task. However, others argue that PHP’s syntax is actually quite intuitive and easy to learn.

Finally, some developers point to performance issues as a reason to avoid PHP. While it’s true that PHP isn’t the fastest language out there, it’s still perfectly capable of handling most web development tasks. And with the introduction of PHP 7 and later versions, performance has improved significantly.

In conclusion, while PHP certainly has its flaws, it’s not the terrible language that some developers make it out to be. Like any language, it has its strengths and weaknesses, and it’s up to each individual developer to decide whether or not it’s the right tool for the job.

What’s Actually Great about PHP

Despite the negative reputation that PHP has gained over the years, there are many good things about it that are worth mentioning. Here are some of the reasons why PHP can be a great choice for your web development projects:

Easy to Learn and Use

One of the biggest advantages of PHP is that it is easy to learn and use, especially for beginners. The syntax is simple and straightforward, and the language is forgiving of errors, making it easy to debug. Additionally, there are plenty of resources available online to help you learn and improve your PHP skills.

Large Community and Support

PHP has a large and active community of developers who are constantly working on improving the language and building new tools and frameworks. This means that there are plenty of resources available, including documentation, tutorials, and forums, where you can get help and support when you need it.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

PHP is a cross-platform language, which means that it can run on almost any operating system, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. This makes it a great choice for web developers who need to build applications that can run on a variety of platforms.

Built-in Functionality

PHP comes with a wide range of built-in functions and libraries that make it easy to perform common tasks, such as sending emails, working with databases, and manipulating strings and arrays. This can save you a lot of time and effort, as you don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time you need to perform a common task.

Cost-Effective

PHP is an open-source language, which means that it is free to use and distribute. This can be a big advantage for small businesses and startups who don’t have a lot of money to invest in expensive software licenses. Additionally, many web hosting providers offer PHP hosting at an affordable price, which can help you keep your hosting costs down.

Overall, while PHP may have its flaws, there are still many good things about it that make it a viable choice for web development projects. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, PHP can be a great tool to have in your arsenal.

Best Alternatives to Use Instead of PHP

If you’re looking for alternatives to PHP for backend web development, there are several options available that you can consider. Here are some of the best alternatives to PHP and why they may be better options for your project:

Node.js

Node.js is a popular runtime environment for JavaScript on the server-side. It allows you to use JavaScript for server-side development, which can be beneficial if you’re already familiar with JavaScript. Node.js is also highly scalable and can handle large amounts of traffic, making it an excellent option for high-traffic websites.

Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is a web application framework that uses the Ruby programming language. It’s known for its simplicity, ease of use, and quick development time. Ruby on Rails has a large community of developers, which means there are plenty of resources available if you need help with your project.

Python

Python is a popular programming language that’s known for its simplicity and ease of use. It’s also highly versatile and can be used for a wide range of applications, including web development.

Java

Java is a popular programming language that’s known for its stability and security. It may not be the easiest language to learn, but it’s one of the most robust languages out there.

Go

Go, also known as Golang, is a programming language developed by Google. It’s known for its simplicity, efficiency, and ability to handle large amounts of traffic. Go is an excellent option if you’re looking for a language that’s easy to learn and can handle high-traffic websites.

As you can see, there are several alternatives to PHP that you can consider for your project. Each alternative has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your needs and skill level.

Frequently Asked Questions

How has the popularity of PHP changed over time?

PHP has been around since 1994, and it quickly became popular because of its ease of use and ability to handle web development tasks. For a long time, it was the most popular server-side scripting language on the web. However, its popularity has been declining in recent years due to criticisms of its security and performance. Despite this, it still remains a popular language for web development.

Why do some developers avoid using PHP?

Some developers avoid using PHP because of its reputation for being insecure and slow. PHP has had a history of security vulnerabilities, and some developers feel that it is not a secure language to use for web development. Additionally, PHP can be slow compared to other languages, which can be a problem for high-traffic websites.

What are some criticisms of PHP?

Some criticisms of PHP include its security vulnerabilities, lack of consistency in function names and parameters, and difficulty in debugging. Additionally, some developers feel that PHP’s syntax is not as clean or elegant as other languages, which can make it harder to write and maintain code.

What are some alternatives to PHP?

There are many alternatives to PHP for web development, including Python, Ruby on Rails, Node.js, and Java. Each of these languages has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of language will depend on the specific needs of the project. For example, Python is known for its readability and ease of use, while Ruby on Rails is known for its rapid development capabilities.