Last updated - September 14, 2022
Choosing the proper programming language for a development project is essential. Python and PHP are currently the most popular backend development languages. Which language, PHP or Python, is best for your project? What is the purpose of Python? When to select PHP? Is it quicker than Python?
Well, have no fear, we have all the answers – a battle between Python and PHP. In this article, we highlight the most significant distinctions between the two languages so that you can definitively determine which is superior get in contact with a web development company. Let’s begin with a brief introduction to PHP and Python.
What is Python?
Python is an object-oriented, advanced programming language that is about as hard to learn as Java. This particular programming language includes a specialised assortment of data structures at its core. Python also has dynamic typing and binding, which is a useful tool for making software applications quickly.
If you hire Python programmers in India, they will separate and recombine the system’s packages and modules, as well as reuse code from previous projects.
Because of its speed, dexterity, and ease of use, it is often a good choice for players who are just starting out.
What is PHP?
PHP is an open-source server-side scripting language. In addition to this, it is a general-purpose programming language that may be utilized in the production of a wide range of applications, including graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
The Zend engine, which is now the most popular PHP implementation, is what makes PHP work. Additional implementations exist, such as Parrot, the Hip Hop Virtual Machine (HPVM), and Facebook’s Hip Hop.
Web servers are the most common application for PHP. It can work both in a browser and in a command line environment. You can choose to see the output of your code in the terminal instead of the browser if you do not like how it looks in the browser.
Why Choose Python?
Python is an amazing language for web development. It’s easy to learn, versatile and has a large community of developers who can help you get started. Plus, it runs on most platforms, so you can use it to build web applications for Macs, Linux machines, and even Windows computers.
Plus, Python is widely used in the scientific community, so you can be confident that it is a reliable language. Finally, Python has been around for more than 20 years, so it’s well-tested and has a wealth of resources available to help you learn and use it effectively.
If you’re looking for a versatile and easy-to-use language for web development, Python is a great option.
Why Choose PHP?
PHP is Python’s main rival.
PHP works with many different operating systems, such as Windows, Unix, Linux, and Mac OS X. The vast majority of Apache and IIS servers make use of this feature. PHP is a server-side scripting language that is extremely user-friendly and quick to execute. On its official website, www.php.net, it can be downloaded for free at any time.
History of Python
- In the late 1980s, the Python programming language was created.
- In December of 1989, while working at the CWI in the Netherlands, Guido Van Rossum began the process of implementing Python.
- In February of 1991, Guido Van Rossum submitted the code to alt.sources. It was version 0.9.0 at the time.
- The first version of Python, version 1.0, was released in 1994 and included new features such as lambda, map, filter, and reduce.
- PytPython 2.0 added new features, such as list comprehensions and systems for cleaning up garbage.
- Python 3.0, more commonly referred to as Py3K, was made available to the public on December 3, 2008. It was envisioned as a solution to the fundamental issue with the language.
History of PHP
- In 1995, a computer programmer by the name of Rasmus Lerdorf developed PHP.
- After a few years, Zeev Suraski and Gutmans developed PHP2.0 with a new parser engine, which turned it into a server-side scripting language.
- 1998 was the year that saw the release of PHP version 3, which featured support for Open Database Connectivity, compatibility with several platforms, and updated email rules.
- In the year 2000, PHP 4 reached its full maturity as an autonomous component of the web server.
- In 2004, object-oriented programming and an XML provider were added to Zend Engine II as part of PHP 5’s release.
Pros Of Python
- Python enhances productivity.
- Python has a vast collection of libraries.
- Python is free, open-source, and has a vibrant community.
- Python is a portable programming language.
- Python is an interpreted language.
Pros of PHP
- PHP applications can run on any operating system, including UNIX, Linux, Windows, etc.
- Anyone familiar with C programming can work with PHP with relative ease.
- It provides robust library support for utilising several function modules for data representation.
- It enables code reuse and eliminates the need to write lengthy code and complex structures for web application instances.
- The popularity of PHP has spawned a diverse community of developers, a portion of whom may be employable.
Cons of Python
- Python is not so strong with mobile computing.
- Python consumes a lot of memory space.
- Python can have runtime errors.
Cons of PHP
- PHP does not permit alteration or modification of the fundamental functionality of online applications.
- Using more PHP framework and tool functionality degrades the performance of web applications.
- It is not appropriate for large content-based websites.
What is Python used for?
Python is widely utilised for a variety of purposes, including the development of apps and websites, the automation of routine processes, the performance of data analysis, and the creation of data visualisations.
Due to the fact that it is so easy to learn, Python has been put to use for a wide variety of everyday tasks by professionals who are not trained in programming, such as accountants and scientists. One example of this is the handling of financial matters.
What is PHP used for?
PHP can do any task associated with server-side scripting, also known as the backend of a website. PHP can receive input from forms, generate dynamic website content, deal with databases, create sessions, send and receive cookies, and send emails, among other capabilities.
PHP’s availability of numerous hash methods for encrypting user data makes it a secure and dependable server-side scripting language. Therefore, these are some of PHP’s features that make it suited for usage as a server-side scripting language. You will learn more about these skills in subsequent sessions.
Apps Made With Python
- Netflix
- Spotify
- Uber
- Dropbox
- Instacart
Apps Made With PHP
- Yahoo!
- Wikipedia
- WordPress
- Tumblr
- MailChimp
The Difference Between PHP and Python
Ease of Use
Python
Python is a high-level programming language that has syntax that is comparable to that of English. Because of this, the code is much simpler to read and understand.
Because Python is so easy to learn and become proficient in, it is frequently suggested for those who are just beginning their programming careers. Python requires a significantly lower number of lines of code to accomplish a given task when compared with other prominent programming languages such as C/C++ and Java.
PHP
PHP is often considered to be one of the easiest programming languages. PHP, on the other hand, doesn’t need a manual or a lot of study like many other web programming languages do. The structure of PHP is quite orderly and logical.
Even command functions are easy to understand because the names of these functions show what they are used for. Because of this, it is not too hard for web developers to build and optimize the application.
Winner: Python
Framework
Python
These Python frameworks stand out because of how they work and what key features they give the user.
- Django
- Web2Py
- Flask
- Bottle
- CherryPy
PHP
These PHP frameworks stand out because of how they work and what key features they give the user.
- Codeigniter
- Zend
- Laravel
- Symfony.
- CakePHP
TIE between PHP and Python
Syntax
Python
Python’s syntax is easy for developers to understand and is similar to that of human languages.
PHP
When compared to Python, PHP is a less common programming language. However, there is a lot of detail in its naming convention.
Winner: Python
Language Type
Python
Python is a high-level programming language that is both object-oriented and general-purpose. It’s similar to other programming languages like Java and C++.
PHP
PHP is a computer programming language that is used by modern web developers to generate websites that use PHP script.
TIE between PHP and Python
Community Support
Python
The programming language Python is currently one of the most popular choices among developers all around the world. Almost half of the people who took the Stack Overflow Developer Survey for 2021 said that Python was their favorite programming language. When asked which technology they wished to learn, developers responded that Python was at the top of their list.
Thanks to the huge open-source community that supports Python, Pythonistas have access to helpful documentation and advice from their peers. If you need help from other Python developers in the future, you can always go to Python meetings or forums. If Python is your first programming language, getting support from the community could prove to be quite helpful.
PHP
One of the advantages of using PHP is that it has a large and active online community and help, which makes it easier for inexperienced programmers to write code and create web applications. The official website has documentation that makes it easier to use the many PHP and framework functions. PHP is known for putting out new versions of its software quickly, which makes it easier to create web-based applications.
Winner: PHP
Ease of Installation
Python
Python might be hard to set up for people who use operating systems other than Windows. The vast majority of Python’s versions are not compatible with these operating systems.
On Windows, though, Python can be installed without much trouble.
They should start by downloading and installing a package manager for Windows, like Chocolatey.
PHP
Most of the time, it is best to use PHP to make a simple app. Not only is the installation process easy, but it also works well on many different operating systems, such as Windows and Linux. Installation takes relatively little time because it is shared by many different hosting sites and only requires a small fee.
Winner: PHP
Library Management
Python
When it comes to library management, Python is far superior to PHP.
Python relies on pip as its package management tool. PipPip makes sure that making a Python program is easy, quick, and follows all of the rules for making programs.
Python comes with a large number of libraries that can each be used in a different type of program. Libraries are collections of materials that improve the speed and effectiveness of application development.
We can use libraries, which already have a lot of classes and functions written for us, instead of writing each piece of code from scratch.
PHP
Python’s library management is superior to PHP’s.
Composer is a powerful tool that comes along with PHP 7 and is loaded with functionality. It is combined with a tool called Packagist that resembles Python’s library management but is not as powerful.
There will be a significant amount of repetition involved in the work that web application developers are expected to do. Examples of such activities include form validation, data cleansing, and CRUD operations.
You don’t need to write your own functions for these activities if you use the capabilities that come with the framework instead.
Winner: Python
Learning Curve
Python
When working with Java, it is possible that you will need to create a class in order to print “Hello World.” In Python, on the other hand, a straightforward print statement is sufficient.
Reading Python is similar to reading English due to the fact that it has fewer words per sentence than English. Because of this, it is extremely easy to pick up, comprehend, and even code.
Indentation is necessary, but curly braces are not required to define blocks. Additionally, curly braces are not required. The readability of the code has improved as a result of this change.
PHP
The benefit of using PHP is that it is straightforward, both to learn and to code. Usually, the code is clean and well-organized, which is helpful for both experienced and new programmers.
The command functions in PHP are straightforward and easy to grasp and understand. Anyone who is fluent in another programming language will find that using PHP is very simple. Because the learning curve is not too high, it is not difficult to pick up. The syntax is easy to understand and flexible. Hire a PHP developer if you are having difficulty in understanding.
Winner: Python
Speed
Python
As we’ve discussed previously, Python is an interpretable and dynamically typed programming language. The execution of code line by line frequently results in delays.
Python’s slow execution time is also caused by the fact that it is dynamic and must do extra work when running code. Therefore, Python is not employed for projects where speed is an essential component.
PHP
PHP is the quickest programming language in comparison to others. PHP applications can be effortlessly loaded despite the Internet’s and data’s poor speeds. Programs require considerable time to connect to the database and get data after executing specific database queries.
PHP is not affected by this issue, and it loads websites quickly and effortlessly. PHP gives developers an advantage when creating web applications using the PHP programming language. Hire a PHP developer if you are having any problems.
Winner: PHP
Debugging
Python
Programming in PHP can be difficult. Sometimes, more work may be needed to finish the debugging process. On the other hand, making use of a PHP debugger such as XDebug is simple, which means that you can initiate and finish the process of debugging in a short amount of time.
PHP
Python also includes high-quality debuggers, such as the Python Debugger (PDB), that are so simple that even inexperienced programmers can use them effectively. In order to make an application that is both more effective and safer, you should therefore press the “debug” button and start eliminating bugs.
TIE between PHP and Python
Documentation
Python
Python does not have this problem, which occurs when an old comment is left behind. Python does not allow documentation as a means of addressing this issue. The content they make is easy to understand because it doesn’t use any technical language.
PHP
There are several tutorials, manuals, and other reference resources available, which help development and may provide assistance and inspiration in difficult circumstances. These products are also beneficial for new programmers because they facilitate learning by progressively increasing in difficulty. And, as said previously, learning PHP is quite simple, but not as simple as learning Python, for instance, which contributes to its appeal.
Winner: Python
Versatility
Python
Web applications made today are not the same as online learning portals or websites that have been around for a long time. For these applications, the incorporation of AI is absolutely necessary. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms are being utilised by businesses in order to precisely identify their users within particular business categories.
PyML is utilised by the machine learning platform Michelangelo Python, which was developed by Uber. With its help, models are tested to see how fast and scalable they can be. This is a service for developers.
PHP
PHP works with most of the most popular web servers, such as Netscape, Apache, IIS (Internet Information Server), and many others.
Additionally, it supports all major web browsers without much effort. Overall, PHP lets you choose your own operating system and gives you the flexibility and scalability to grow your business.
TIE between PHP and Python
Wrapping up
The question of Python vs. PHP has been debated for many years, despite the similarities between the languages, which have different application scopes, syntax variations, and clarity. Nonetheless, they share numerous similarities.
They are both extremely simple to learn and employ, have extensive documentation, great libraries, and large user bases and communities.
It boils down to the development requirements, use cases, and application features, despite the difficulty in choosing between the two options. PHP is more than adequate for creating standard websites and web-based applications.
Python, on the other hand, is the recommended scripting language for the development of complex and extensible products, software, or any other package.You can also check the comparison between Node.Js vs PHP for a detailed comparison.
Thank you for this blog with a detailed comparison between PHP and Python.
Hi Shubam,
Great you loved the article and it was useful. Visit learnwoo for more such informations.