PHP vs Python: AnyWeb Development project will benefit greatly from careful consideration of available programming languages. These days, most companies prefer to employ Python and PHP for their web development projects.
The choice between the two becomes more challenging under scrutiny. While PHP remains the language of choice for many web developers, Python has seen explosive growth in the industry in recent years. However, it is essential to understand both of these languages in detail.
Table of Contents
What is Python?
Python is an open-source language that strives to implement OOP ideas. This language was created by Guido Van Rossum in 1991. Its high-level, straightforward grammar makes it one of the most popular languages today. Python is a popular programming language for building business applications. As a browser-based scripting language, it can be used to create web applications.
What is PHP?
Web developers should consider using PHP for Website Development, short for Hypertext Preprocessor. It’s a free and open-source server-side scripting language used to make dynamic, interactive online content. To take full advantage of the resources and capabilities provided by PHP’s massive user base, it is the language of choice.
Just about every site online nowadays runs on PHP. The language is adaptable, pragmatic, and quick; it can handle issues like session tracking, databases, and the dynamic content of HTML websites.
Python vs PHP
Features
Both these languages have distinct features that you must know about to choose the right one.
Python
- Python’s portability allows it to run with a consistent UI across a variety of hardware environments.
- In addition to being simple to read and understand, it is also straightforward to use and keep up to date.
- It’s the best framework and support system for complex software.
- The Python interpreter makes it simple to add low-level modules.
- Python’s trash collection mechanism is fully automated.
- Python code can communicate with other languages like C++ and Java.
- Python’s dynamic type checking and high-level data types make it an ideal language for applications of this nature.
- It’s useful for troubleshooting and testing in an interactive environment.
PHP
- Comparatively, PHP is simpler to use and program in comparison to other scripting languages.
- It facilitates database integration by supporting several databases.
- By compiling a history of the most recent logins, PHP allows users to get entries.
- PHP is more time and energy-saving than competing scripting languages like Java Server Pages (JSP) and Active Server Pages (ASP).
- There are a few built-in errors reporting constants that can be used to generate an alert.
- Because it is developed in the open, PHP is freely available for usage.
Advantages
Python
- The ability to use a single language that is both general-purpose and object-oriented for a variety of purposes
- Advantages include code portability to other systems
- Convenient in that it is simple to use, understand, and keep up with
- Designing and coding user interface applications
- Compatible with various languages’ source codes, such as Java and C++.
- Offers Tensorflow and other tools for numerical computation
- A freely accessible, progressively emerging language
- Highly visual; can sway the opinion of a novice.
- With WORA, it can be taken everywhere.
PHP
- Maintains cutting-edge debugging of many modular frameworks Free and available source code; a focus on objects
- Has a diverse ecosystem
- Adds support for noSQL database systems like PostgreSQL and others
- Compatible with a wide range of platforms, your product will ideally receive support from many OS vendors.
- Offers help for programs that take data from databases
- PHP-based applications are versatile and cross-platform, meaning they can run on any computer system, including Windows, Linux, and UNIX.
- Integrated support for SQL
- There are a large number of free PHP frameworks accessible as open source.
Also Read : In-depth Comparison Between The Most Popular Technologies – Python vs Node.js
Disadvantages
Python
- Not very helpful for developing apps or using mobile browsers.
- It requires a lot of RAM to make things simple for developers, but it’s slower than other languages for making websites.
- Causes lag in the evaluation of web applications
- Dynamic typing makes it hard to catch errors, which can be a major problem for even a modest mobile app or website.
- Errors in the code execution time due to duck-typing
- Simplified somewhat for certain purposes.
PHP
- Stifled by constraints and cords
- Its fundamental nature is unchangeable.
- Using a poor typing technique that may provide users with inaccurate information.
- Not a good fit for apps that rely on the content
- There is no consortium devoted to the Internet of Things.
- Not enough safeguards are in place
Difference between PHP and Python
1. Security
Python is the language of choice for commercial applications because of its robust security features. Django, for instance, has many built-in security mechanisms that protect the programs from various vulnerabilities. Even more so, Python is used by various branches of government as a covert hacking tool.
PHP is less secure than Python, despite the fact that most of its security issues have been fixed because of the strong community support it enjoys. As a result, Python is currently superior to PHP.
2. Debugging
The Python Debugger, or PDB for short, is a built-in tool for debugging Python programs. They employ a wide variety of techniques for fixing bugs. Thanks to PDB’s dynamic type, programmers can get their work done quickly and easily without having to make any blatant declarations at the front.
When it comes to fixing problems and double-checking code for mistakes, PHP also has you covered with its XDebug package. On the contrary, fixing issues in PHP programming takes a lot longer. So there are lots of safety issues because of that.
3. Web Frameworks
When it comes to web frameworks, both PHP and Python are strong contenders. PHP’s web frameworks are used by many large enterprises. Symfony and Laravel are two examples of well-established frameworks with active user communities. Thus, PHP simplifies the process of creating websites.
The remarkable frameworks available in Python are just one of its many strengths. Flask and Django are the two most well-known web frameworks written in Python. Extreme scalability, speed, simplicity, and safety are all hallmarks of these solutions. Django is favored by developers because it is simpler to set up and requires less time to build than PHP-based frameworks.
4. Ease of learning
Undoubtedly, Python is less difficult to study. This all-purpose programming language is easy to learn. The selection of a suitable introductory programming course is straightforward. Python code is simpler and more concise than those written in other languages.
While basic programs can run on PHP, the language was designed for more complex web applications. This language is not suitable for any wide range of uses. Therefore, PHP is more time-consuming to learn than Python.
Conclusion
While both PHP and Python are powerful tools for building websites, Python has certain advantages over PHP. This doesn’t mean, however, that you have to rule out PHP in favor of Python. You can’t go wrong with either PHP or Python if you’re looking to build a web application. In the end, whether you should design your web apps with PHP or Python relies on the specifics of your projects and how well-versed you are in either language.
Kenny William is a content cum digital marketer at Yudiz Solutions Ltd, a leading Web App Development Company. She is an avid reader and likes to remain updated for the latest blockchain technology trends.