Web development as we know it today will not be the same without Hypertext Preprocessor or PHP as it is more commonly known. About 80% of the websites online today use this language for specific tasks. This surely says something of its effectiveness.
A quick look at some of the sites that actively use this script include some of the biggest names you can think of. Examples include Facebook, Wikipedia, Wordpress, Pinterest and many others. This is certainly as big as it gets when it comes to online website reputation.
So, what exactly is all the hype about? What exactly is Hypertext Preprocessor?
Understanding the Basics of PHP
Hypertext Preprocessor or PHP is one of the languages used in programming today. However unlike other scripting languages like JavaScript which is a client side language, it’s a server side language.
What this means is that the instructions scripted in the code are carried out on the server rather than on the client side which is on the application from which the instruction is issued.
Another important thing to note is that PHP is not truly a programming language but a scripting language. A programming language differs from a script in that it can on its own be used to develop a complete application. A script on the other hand is used to perform specific tasks within an environment. This means that it cannot be used alone to build an application.
This is why unlike with a programming language, you will find PHP is always embedded within a program to carry out certain tasks. It is this ability to integrate with various programming languages that has made it very popular with programmers. We will discuss this in some more detail below.
For an extensive tutorial on this subject, you can check out this article here.
Examples of Its Application
We’ve mentioned that it is a server-side language that is inserted within an existing program to execute a command and perform a specific task. Let’s now try to look at some specific ways it is being used.
Social Media
Like we mentioned above, major sites like Facebook use this script in their operations. It has proven to be very effective in social media applications. Social media aims to reach as many people as possible so this makes it pretty easy to achieve because of its server-side operation.
Ecommerce Platforms
This is another platform that focuses on ease of use for its visitors. Ecommerce sites do not want usage to be hindered by the platform from which user access their site’s functions hence the choice of a script that is executed on the server side. Little wonder platforms like OpenCart, Magenta and PrestaShop all employ the use of this scripting language.
CMS (Content Management System)
One more example is content management. This is a major big deal today as inbound marketing and customer focused marketing strategies have taken center stage. These marketing styles which have been proven to be a lot more effective than traditional marketing styles rely heavily on adding value through content creation.
With PHP, content management systems have now become very easy for almost anyone to use. Simple WYSIWYG (What You See is What You Get) editors help content creators format and edit their content to achieve highly professional presentations without knowing anything about coding. This is mainly thanks to the actions executed by scripting programs on the server side once prompted by simple commands on the client side.
This is why major CMS sites like Wordpress and Joomla rely heavily on this scripting language to increase efficiency and achieve ease of use.
You can find some more examples here: https://code.tutsplus.com/tutorials/15-wonderfully-creative-uses-for-php–net-4714.
What are its Benefits in Web Development
Let’s now quickly list a few benefits that PHP scripts offer web development.
Open Source
PHP is open source which means it can be used and modified at no fee and without any fear of legal implications. This has made it very widely accepted.
Extensive Compatibility
It can be deployed effective across a wide variety of platform with ease. This further makes it very easy to use.
Easy to Use
It is very easy to learn and use. This is one other thing that has made it widely popular.
Support
Support for it is very easy to access thanks to several communities of users from where developers can get help should they run into any problems with its use.
Database Integration
It also integrates perfectly with MySQL and other database types.
Integration with Other Languages
Like we stated at the beginning, it is not a stand-alone script but needs to be inserted into an existing program. This can be easily achieved because it integrates easily into most available programming languages.
Choosing a Developer
Now that we can see how effective PHP is and how widely it can be applied, how can you easily find a developer to help you incorporate it into your web applications? Here are a few simples steps that can help you find the right developer.
Get Referrals
This is probably the easiest way to find the right professionals to handle your project. Ask your colleagues, friends or family if they know any developers that can take on the project for you. If you do find one this way, working with the individual or company will be much easier.
Online Searches
This is another method that you should consider if the above method does not yield the required result. This method will yield a much broader result. You are likely to find developers from across the world. You could find a PHP development company in India, another in Ukraine, another in UK and other parts of the world.
Certainly this offers a much wider spread but comes with the added challenge of managing your work relationship across countries and continents. One thing you can do is use an escrow service to ensure you only pay when the job has truly been done and confirmed to have been done.
In all of these, one thing is sure and that is that PHP web development can drastically improve the functionality of your applications. You should therefore regard as critically urgent getting a developer to see how your application can be improved using PHP.
