In 2021, the most popular programming language software worldwide was PHP with a market share of 45.43 percent. The PHP programming language is an excellent choice for the rapid prototyping and development of dynamic websites. Startup businesses, advertising and media agencies and software organizations are popular industries where PHP programming is used. It can be used on all major operating systems, including Linux, HP-UX, Solaris and UNIX versions including Microsoft Windows, macOS, RISC OS and others. With its features and a  top PHP development company at the helm, any dispute about the feasibility of implementing PHP in the development of IT products and services can be ruled out.

Why Is PHP Important & What Are The Features Of PHP?

Studies indicate that the popularity of PHP remains high as compared to other popular server-side programming languages. There are millions of websites running, being developed and many more coming with PHP at its core. PHP is still important and has many beneficial features that attract developers and clients. All you need is a collaboration with the best PHP development company to reap the benefits.

The Importance of PHP

A large number of websites are built using PHP. Some of the most popular platforms have used this programming language to build their solutions as the below list amply indicates:

• Wikipedia – the world-renowned online encyclopedia, is powered by the software MediaWiki, which is built on PHP.
• WordPress – a free content management system where PHP is used for 40% of websites on the internet.
• MailChimp – an email marketing service with 12 million users.
• Etsy – an e-commerce platform for crafts and handmade goods with 4 million sellers and 81 million buyers.
• Slack – a communications platform with 10 million daily users, uses PHP to power its backend.

Some websites that use PHP and have gained popularity recently are:

• Glassdoor.com
• Slack.com
• Telewebion.com
• Opensea.io
• Ask.com

Unlike other programming languages ​​that degrade in quality over time, PHP still rules. The demand for PHP is increasing continuously. New challenges call for improvement and PHP provides better changes. The backend programming done with PHP isn’t just a database addition to your front-end development today – it’s data gathering, redirection, integration with mobile and more.

All things considered, it is not wrong to say that PHP has become more efficient and can handle a variety of tasks while remaining user-friendly and affordable. For business projects, PHP is the best choice because of its various features.

Best Features of PHP

• PHP is Open-source, Hence Cost-effective

The best PHP feature is freely available for PHP that has won the loyalty of developers and IT decision-makers. PHP requires no download or license fees. A general public license is the only prerequisite for its use.

In addition to budget savings, it also attracts a large and active international community. This leads to a continuous increase in its efficiency. A popular example is Facebook which uses PHP as its server-side language. For best results and advanced quality, choosing a professional PHP web development company with proven expertise is an advantage.

• PHP Works Well With CMS

PHP makes scripting flexible, allowing developers to change the code whenever they want. All PHP websites are fully customizable and can be easily adapted to meet the needs of the customers.

Content management systems like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and others are mainly based on PHP. Therefore, it is simple to develop or integrate a robust custom-built CMS solution with your website.

• It’s Fast and Secure

Every organization wants its website or application to be fast and secure. PHP uses the device memory smartly and performs quick actions, especially when using newer versions. There is no doubt about PHP security and it is as secure as other programming languages.

A significant advantage is that due to its widespread use and community support, there are now many tools, frameworks, and best practices to help fix vulnerabilities and protect against cyber-attacks.

• PHP Code Can Be Integrated Well

A great feature of PHP is its integrity. The PHP code is compatible with all major platforms from Windows, UNIX, and Linux to macOS. It supports most servers, including Apache, Microsoft IIS, Netscape, iPlanet, Xitami, Tornado, etc., and more than 20 databases, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL and others.

Hence PHP is often chosen for building cross-platform applications. It allows businesses to take advantage of the existing infrastructure with minimal costs.

• Designed To Make Dynamic Pages and Applications

PHP and MySQL are a great combination for creating simple enterprise-grade web applications that are fast, scalable and secure.

It is popular wisdom that the most commonly used language in website and web application development is PHP because it is an all-purpose, server-side, or back-end scripting language that runs on a webserver to create dynamic pages and applications.

In 2022, a top-notch PHP web development company can build any kind of website, right from simple WordPress to complex web platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.

• It Can Run on Any Device

PHP is known for its flexible nature and can run on many operating systems like Windows, UNIX, Mac OS, Linux, etc. PHP scripts can easily run on any device like a laptop, mobile, tablet or computer. It integrates with various databases very comfortably.

Desktop applications are built using advanced PHP features. Workable PHP can be run on the command line as well as directly on the machine. Complex applications can be built without a server or browser.

• PHP is Tested and Proven

Another great benefit of having existed for decades is that the PHP code is put to the test in all kinds of real-life environments. Major bugs have been found and fixed by developers that have made the language more stable and reliable.

Over time, many frameworks and tools have been created, which help to make PHP web development more secure, efficient and effective. The scripting language will define the results of what you are trying to build and the features you want to incorporate into your website and applications.

• Active Community Support

PHP boasts a diverse online community of developers to help beginners with web-based applications. These experts contributed many features and built new versions of PHP libraries. They also contribute translations in various languages ​​to help programmers from around the world.

Third-party open-source libraries provide basic functionalities. Even the documentation given by the official site helps to implement new features paving the way to unheralded outputs.

• Easy to Learn and Use

One of the main reasons PHP is so widely used is that it is relatively simple to get started. Even without extensive knowledge or experience in web development, most people can create a web page with a single PHP file in a relatively short amount of time.

The syntax is simple and the command functions are easy to learn. This ease-of-use with PHP helps in lowering the barriers to entry compared to other server-side scripting languages. 

Conclusion

Now you know about some of the best features of PHP and its advantages. Being a powerful language, it supports a wide variety of programming technologies. It has evolved over the years, adding traits in PHP 5.4, anonymous functions and namespaces in PHP 5.3 and object-oriented models with PHP 5.0.

When combined with JavaScript, PHP can help walk through any project with a successful release without much hassles. It is a user-friendly language that can be adapted quickly and used for multiple purposes.