PHP Stands for "Hypertext Preprocessor." (Earlier called, Personal Home Page) PHP is an HTML-embedded Web scripting language. This means PHP code can be inserted into the HTML of a Web page. When a PHP page is accessed, the PHP code is read or "parsed" by the server the page resides on. The output from the PHP functions on the page is typically returned as HTML code, which can be read by the browser. Because the PHP code is transformed into HTML before the page is loaded, users cannot view the PHP code on a page. This makes PHP pages secure enough to access databases and other secure information.
A lot of the syntax of PHP is borrowed from other languages such as C, Java, and Perl. However, PHP has a number of unique features and specific functions as well. The goal of the language is to allow Web developers to write dynamically generated pages quickly and easily. PHP is also great for creating database-driven Web sites.
Benefits of PHP
1. Easy: This server-side scripting language is extremely easy to learn, as compared to other languages. Also, if you are familiar with the syntax of C or Perl, you will learn PHP easily and quickly; all thanks to easy to understand syntax!
2. Control: While other languages need long scripts, PHP can do the same work in a few lines of code; having the maximum control over the websites. Also, whenever you want to make changes, you can edit is easy.
3. Cost efficient: As you know, PHP is open source, it is free of cost. You need not buy expensive software for it. Your website will be developed at the minimal cost.
4. Efficient: As you know you can enhance the performance of the website built in PHP, as it is scalable when writing the code as well as reliable too when you need to deal with a lot of web pages.
5. Access to support: As PHP is being used by a huge number of people, a large community is formed. So, you need not worry if you get stuck somewhere. You will easily get the support from them.
6. Platform independent: Whether it is Windows, Mac OS, Linux or UNIX; it supports all the major web browsers.
7. Supports all servers: PHP also supports all the major web servers; be it Apache or Microsoft IIS. It also supports Netscape and personal web server.
8. Speedy: PHP uses its own memory, so the workload of the server and loading time gets reduced automatically, which results in the faster processing speed. So, it reduces the development time when it comes to the web apps like e-Commerce or CRM.
9. Secured: It is one of the most secure ways of developing websites and web applications; as it has got a security layer to protect against viruses and threats.
10. Tested, proven and trusted: As it has been used for over 2 decades by millions of people, its capabilities have been tested and proven and thus trusted by the most developers.
Advantages of Using PHP Frameworks
Speed up custom web application development - Nowadays, PHP programmers have to write web applications based on complex business requirements. Likewise, they have to explore ways to make the web application deliver richer user experience. The tools, features, and code snippets provided by PHP frameworks help developers to accelerate custom web application development.
Simplify web application maintenance - Unlike other programming languages, PHP does not emphasize code readability and maintainability. The PHP frameworks simplify web application development and maintenance by supporting model-view-controller (MVC) architecture. The developers can take advantage of MVC architecture to divide a web application into models, views, and controllers. They can use an MVC framework for PHP to keep the application’s user interface and business logic layers separated.
No need to write additional code - PHP, unlike other programming languages, does not allow programmers to express concepts without writing long lines of code. Hence, the PHP programmers have to write lengthy and complex code while adding features or functionality to a website. The PHP frameworks reduce coding time significantly by providing the code generation feature. The code generation features provided by certain PHP frameworks enable programmers to keep the source code of web application clean and maintainable.
Work with databases more efficiently - Most PHP frameworks allow programmers to work with a number of widely used relational databases. Some frameworks further simplify database operations by providing object-relational mapping (ORM) systems. The programmers can take advantage of the ORM systems to perform database operations without writing lengthy SQL code. The ORMs even allows programmers to write object code directly in PHP programming language.
Automate common web development tasks - While building a web application, developers have to perform a number of tasks in addition to writing code. Some of these common web development tasks require programmers to invest additional time and effort. The functions and tools provided by PHP frameworks help developers to automate common web development tasks like caching, session management, authentication, and URL mapping.
Protect websites from targeted security attacks - PHP is considered to be one of the most unsecured programming languages. Often programmers have to explore ways to protect the PHP applications from various security attacks. The built-in security features and mechanisms provided by PHP framework make it easier for developers to protect the website from existing and emerging security threats. Also, the PHP web developers can easily prevent common security threats like SQL injections, cross-site request forgery, and data tampering.
Perform unit testing efficiently - While building a custom web application, developers have to perform unit testing regularly to evaluate its individual units or components. A large percentage of web developers use PHP Unit to perform unit tests quickly and efficiently. In addition to being an object-oriented unit testing framework for PHP, PHP Unit further helps developers to write and run unit tests by providing coding assistance. Many PHP frameworks support PHP Unit natively and enable programmers to perform unit testing smoothly.
No need to increase web development cost - As an open source server-side programming language, PHP helps users to curtail web development costs significantly. The developers also have the option to choose from several open source web frameworks for PHP. They can even avail the features and tools provided by these open source PHP frameworks speed up custom web application development without increasing project overheads.
Disadvantages of Using PHP Frameworks
Programmers need to learn PHP frameworks instead of PHP - The PHP frameworks enable programmers to add functionality to a web application without writing additional code. But the programmers have to put some time and effort to learn the PHP framework. They can even learn and use certain frameworks without being proficient in PHP coding.
Quality of PHP frameworks differs - Most widely used PHP frameworks are open source and free. Hence, the web developers can take advantage of these web frameworks without increasing the project cost. But the community strength of individual frameworks differs. Hence, some PHP frameworks lack prompt and adequate support.
Lack of option to modify core behavior - In addition to proving a basic structure for web application development, the PHP frameworks further accelerate custom web application development. But the developers still lack any option to make changes to the core behavior of these frameworks. Some frameworks even requirements developers to use specific tools or adopt a particular web development pattern.
Affect Speed and performance of websites - Most PHP frameworks come with robust features and tools to accelerate development of large and complex websites. But web developers may not need these advanced features while building small or simple web applications. Also, these additional features often impact the performance and speed of websites adversely.
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