By 2023, PHP will be 12 years old. It’s been around quite a while, but does that mean it’s going to go away? Should I Learn PHP or Will it still be a valuable skill to learn?
The quick answer is yes, you should learn PHP in 2023. It has a lot of opportunities for newcomers or experts in the field. Almost 70% of the web is based on PHP.
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Introduction to PHP
PHP is a programming language that was created in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf. It is a server-side scripting language that is used to create dynamic websites. PHP code is inserted into the HTML code of a website and the web server runs the code when a user visits the page.
PHP is free, open-source software and there are many online resources for learning PHP, including video tutorials, books, and articles. You can also find PHP developers on freelancing websites, such as Upwork and Freelancer.
If you are interested in learning PHP, here are some things you should know:
- PHP is a versatile language and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating websites, web applications, and e-commerce stores.
- PHP is a popular language and there are many online resources for learning it.
- PHP is easy to learn and you can be productive with it within a short period of time.
- There are many PHP jobs available for PHP developers.
Prerequisites of Learning PHP
In order to learn PHP, you will need to have a basic understanding of:
HTML: As PHP is a server-side scripting language, you will need to understand the basics of HTML in order to create pages that can be displayed on a web browser.
CSS: You don’t need to be an expert, but a basic understanding of CSS will help you style your pages the way you want them to look.
Javascript: Again, you don’t need to be an expert, but a basic understanding of Javascript will help you as many PHP functions rely on it. Check out how to use PHP variables in Javascript here.
SQL: A basic understanding of SQL is essential as almost all data manipulation in PHP will be done through SQL commands.
How Long Does it Take to Learn PHP?
The answer to this question depends on an individual’s own ability to learn and master a programming language. But on average, If you are familiar with programming concepts and basics, then it would only take you a few months let’s say from 3 to 6 to become proficient in PHP on an intermediate level.
5 Reasons to Learn PHP in 2023
PHP is a powerful programming language that is currently used by millions of developers around the world. If you’re thinking of learning a new language in 2023, PHP should definitely be at the top of your list. Here are five reasons why:
1. PHP is easy to learn and use.
2. PHP is a popular language that many big companies and organizations use.
3. PHP is a powerful programming language that can be used for a variety of purposes.
4. PHP is free and open source.
5. PHP is supported by a large community of developers who are always willing to help out.
Benefits of Should I Learn PHP
So, what are the benefits of learning PHP?
Well, for starters, PHP is a server-side scripting language, which means that it can be used to create dynamic web pages. This is opposed to HTML and CSS, which are used to create static pages.
What does this mean for you? Well, it means that if you know PHP, you can create pages that are more interactive and responsive to user input. You can also connect to databases and retrieve information from them, which is something that you can’t do with HTML and CSS alone.
In other words, learning PHP opens up a whole world of possibilities when it comes to web development. And since PHP is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, knowing it will make you more marketable and in demand as a web developer.
Practical Applications: Should I Learn PHP?
You may be wondering what practical applications there are for learning PHP. After all, if you invest time and energy into learning something, you want to know that it can be applied in the real world, right?
Well, I’m happy to report that there are plenty of practical applications for PHP. In fact, PHP is used by some of the biggest companies in the world, including Facebook, WordPress, and even eBay. Let’s have a look at some of the most common web applications that use PHP:
1. Dynamic Websites and Web-Based Applications
A dynamic website requires high customization levels with a complex interface and integration with a database for advanced features. PHP helps to do all that. It works in a three-tier architecture – working on the browser, server, and database system. This is why more than 82% of sites are programmed using PHP. Facebook apps are all coded in PHP.
PHP is not limited to building just dynamic websites. You can use it for creating static websites and web apps. It is all up to the programmers how to use it. They can even reuse the code and tweak it to use in other applications. Advanced features such as user authentication, SQL query builder, CSRF protection, and routing make PHP a popular language among coders.
2. Content Management Systems
PHP is integrable with numerous databases such as MySQL, Oracle, and MS Access and can easily function with other services through Protocols. Various PHP frameworks come with libraries and templates to help coders tweak the website content to their requirements. That’s why PHP is sued for creating small to large content-based sites. Examples of popular web content management systems built using PHP include WordPress with its plethora of plugins, Drupal’s UI, Joomla, Facebook, Digg, etc.
3. E-commerce Applications
eCommerce has become an important part of our everyday life. With the help of PHP frameworks such as CakePHP and CodeIgniter, you can easily create simple to advanced eCommerce apps that are fast and efficient. Some examples of eCommerce platforms using PHP include Magento, Zen Cart, OpenCart, PrestaShop, UberCart, and AgoraCart.
4. GUI-Based Applications
PHP can also create desktop Graphical User Interface based apps. Tools that allow it includes the likes of PHP-GTK2 and ZZEE PHP GUI. These tools compile PHP code into.exe which runs on the desktop on its own.
5. Create Flash
PHP frameworks help to create Flash in .SWF format and include details such as bitmaps, gradients, text, shapes, animations, etc. It is easy to integrate flash elements in ogin or an email form when required in a dynamic webpage.
6. Image Processing and Graphic Design
PHP is also super suitable for manipulating images. With the help of image processing, libraries such as GD library, ImageMagick and Imagine, coders can create powerful image manipulation apps which will let you crop, resize, rotate, create a thumbnail and add watermarks, etc to an image. The image can be stored in different formats such as Jpeg, gif, xpm, wbmp and png. This is what makes PHP a powerful server-side language.
7. Data Representation
PHP also allows the creation of visual data in the form of graphs, charts, and scatter-dot plots. Image-Graph is a tool that makes this possible. Data representation is used mostly by client-side eCommerce websites, desktops, and other apps where the data must be presented in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
8. Creating PDF Files
Generating PDF files is another great application of PHP. There is a built-in library known as PDFLib which is used for manipulating and generating PDF files in PHP. This helps to create a web-based invoice system where the users can download the invoice in a PDF document.
PHP code can be easily embedded with HTML which is what makes it easy to learn for beginners. PHP doesn’t require complicated procedures to generate HTML pages. In short, with PHP, you can create anything from personal websites to extremely advanced and intricate web apps, eCommerce stores, and online management systems.
FAQs on Should I Learn PHP in 2023
Q: Will I be able to find a job if I learn PHP?
Yes! PHP is still a very popular language, and according to Indeed.com, the average PHP Developer salary in the United States is $119,552 per year.
Q: What are some companies that use PHP?
Top companies that use PHP include Facebook, Yahoo!, Wikipedia, Tumblr, and WordPress.
Q: What are some of the most popular PHP frameworks?
Some of the most popular PHP frameworks include Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter.
Building a Career & Hunting for PHP Jobs
If you are a passionate programmer and love to work on web projects, building a career in PHP can be one of the life-changing decisions for you. You can choose to become a PHP developer as PHP jobs are always available in the web market. As a PHP developer, you would be responsible for the design, development, and testing of websites in the PHP language.
PHP has successfully stood the test of time year after another. It is one of the top 5 programming languages that are in demand worldwide. It enjoys strong support from Apple and Microsoft as part of Integrated Development environments IDEs like Visual Studio and Xcode. Most of the enterprise-ready IDEs offer support for PHP in addition to other languages.
You need to have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering to start working as a PHP developer. In order to be hired as a PHP web developer: you must possess the following skills:
- Basic Essentials of PHP, Ajax, Jquery, and MySQL
- Expertise in JavaScript, CSS, and HTML as a Starter
- Understanding of web framework – CakePHP and the unit testing framework – PHPUnit
- Photoshop or any other alternative for designing – basic level
- Knowledge of APIs, and MVC Framework Architecture
- Good Communication Skills
- Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
Concluding Should I Learn PHP?
To conclude, should I learn PHP, the answer is a definite yes. PHP is a great language to learn in 2023. It has a lot of benefits, such as plenty of jobs available and the ability to work remotely. So if you’re looking for a great language to learn this year, PHP is definitely a good option. PHP jobs are always available and the PHP developers are paid handsomely worldwide. You can even earn in USD and work remotely from anywhere in the world. According to Glassdoor, the average monthly salary of a PHP developer is $74,126 per year in the US.
