PHP Development - A Potential Technology for Web Application Development

Each web application developer has option to pick from a wide variety of programming languages. But developers across world opt for PHP to build robust web applications by availing a number of advantages. The huge popularity of server-side programming language can also be estimated from the fact that over 21 million websites and web applications are designed using PHP technologies. As PHP can be embedded within HTML effortlessly, the programmers can build high-performance application without writing complex and lengthy code. At the same time, the open source nature of the technology makes it easier for enterprises to curtail web application development cost. If you are planning to switch to PHP programming, it is time to understand its potential for web application development.

What Makes PHP Web Application Developers’ First Choice?

Higher Level of Compatibility

As a powerful web programming language PHP supports major operating systems like Windows, UNIX, Mac and WIN32 QNX. At the same time, it is also compatible with major web servers including Netscape, Apache and Microsoft IIS. Further, the programmers are not required to write longer lines of code, as it can be easily embedded in HTML. A PHP application can also run through an already installed simple local host, and thus does not require any specific Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The compatibility of the technology with major operating systems, webs servers and IDEs makes PHP the best option to build web applications.

Curtail Application Development Cost

With more and more companies venturing into web application development, the business has become complex and competitive. At the same time, the ongoing recessional phase of the economy has made it essential for enterprises to explore options to reduce project overheads. Unlike other proprietary web programming languages, PHP is open source, and can also be used free of cost. Also, PHP enables users to process real-time data by using content management systems like Joomla, Wordpress and Drupal, without paying any licensing fees. The open source nature of PHP is also contributes towards increasing its popularity.

Optimize the Application’s Performance and Scalability

PHP is further used by developers across the world to build a variety of complex, interactive and high-performing web applications. Many programmers even choose PHP for both front-end and back-end development to optimize user experience without putting any extra effort. The language is further effective in ensuring maximum capability of the code in its functionality as well as execution. At the same time, PHP is considered to be more scalable and reliable, in comparison to other server-side programming languages, for developing custom web applications. As the language work seamlessly on the conventional LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP) stack, it becomes easier for programmers to optimize performance by connecting and aggregating individual components. As the stack does not consume more system resources, the process also contribute towards reducing the time required for loading and executing the web application.

Also Usable for Building Mobile Applications

Many reports have highlighted the constant growth in the number of users accessing internet on their mobile devices. So a web application must be compatible with major mobile operating systems to become hugely popular. Along with developing a variety of web application, PHP is also used by programmers to build mobile apps for mobile platforms like iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry. The language further enable developers to build both backend-code and front-end user interface at a time, while taking advantages of distinct data sources, cloud services, CRM systems and social networks.

Easy to Learn and Use

The beginners have to put some amount of time and effort to learn a new programming language. In comparison to other web programming languages, PHP is much easier to learn. So the beginners can easily switch to PHP development. The simple command functions and logical syntax further makes it easier for developer to create and optimize applications by describing exact features and functionalities. Also, the developers having prior experience in C and Perl will find PHP much easier. The similarity of syntax will further enable them to write code within a very short span of time.

A web application developer also has options to use customized PHP frameworks to build a variety of robust web applications rapidly. At the same time, the beginners can further avail the support of a large community of developers, along with accessing a large collection of documentation, tutorials, FAQs and online help. Expert PHP developers India teams can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

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Compare, Ponder and Choose- The Right PHP Framework

With more and more local businesses going online, web application developers often find it a daunting challenge to impress clients. Along with optimizing the performance, scalability and aesthetics of the website, it has also become essential for a programmer to complete the project at a rapid pace. Therefore, most developers use PHP frameworks to build a powerful web application at a rapid pace without writing lengthy code. The frameworks further allow programmers to reuse code for projects of similar nature. A programmer also has option to pick from a wide variety of PHP frameworks. So each developer must know some of the widely used PHP frameworks to choose the right option according to the specific needs of his project.

5 of the Widely Used PHP Frameworks for Web Development

Symfony: As a full-stack framework, Symfony is popular among beginners due to its simple and easy-to-use nature. The novice web developers also have options to access a wide range of books and tutorials to resolve problems. The latest version of the framework comes with a comprehensive library of classes written in PHP 5, components, tools, test suites and template engines, along with architecture to build complex websites at a rapid pace. The programmers can further use the command line generators to start new projects quickly, while availing the advantages like automatic code generation. But a user has to put some amount of time and effort to understand Symfony, as it is different from other PHP frameworks. 

Zend: As an open source framework, Zend allows programmers to build a variety of web application and web services using the new features of PHP 5.3+ like namespaces, lambda functions, late static binding and closures. It is also popular due to its own IDE and web browser support. Zend is also widely used by programmers across the globe due to its effectiveness in form creation and data filteration. With more than 15 million downloads, Zend framework has become synonymous with PHP web application development. However, the innovative and advances features make Zend complex. So the beginners often find it difficult to start using the PHP development framework. But the framework is the best bet for programmers who are familiar with the software.

Yii: Within a very short span of time, Yii has joined the league of the best and widely used PHP frameworks till date. It also targets most of the small problems that other frameworks ignore. Along with being future-friendly and highly functional, the framework further allows developers to solve new problems arising during the coding phase. It also saves the time of programmers by simplifying some of the repetitive tasks like creating, reading, updating and deleting the code. A programmer can automatically generates the base code, and saves developers from writing longer lines of code. However, the beginners do not have options to access books and tutorials related to Yii as the framework is comparatively new.

Codeignitor : The easy-to-use to features of the PHP development framework has made it popular among both experienced developers and beginners. It also provides a comprehensive architecture and a simple yet elegant toolkit to rapidly build robust web applications. As Codeignitor is designed with an MVC folder, it makes easier to separate business logic from presentation without putting any extra effort. At the same time, the lightweight software further enables developers to optimize user experience by integrating third-party applications. A developer also has option to access good documentation, and avail the assistance of a large community to solve problems immediately. However, the Codeignitor allows freeway coding that is prone to various types of errors.

CakePHP : CakePHP is widely used by web programmers to build, deploy and maintain a variety of complex web applications at a rapid pace. The framework further allows programmers to avail several advantages by writing PHP4 compatible code. A programmer can avail several advantages by using this PHP development framework including high performance, large-scale monolithic libraries, standard hosting compatibility, minimal configuration, and clear documentation. The beginners can further avail support by accessing tutorials, message boards and groups. But CakePHP is designed with a set of strict conventions that affects its flexibility. 

A web application developer has option to pick from a large number of PHP frameworks. Each framework is further designed with a set of features and functionality to enable programmers to build websites at rapid pace. But a programmer must understand the pros and cons of each PHP framework before choosing the right option. It is also important to pick a PHP framework by keeping in mind specific needs of the web development project. While thinking to outsource php development projects, clients are looking at developers who have solid expertise in specific framework and not just generic PHP.

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