8 facts about PHP – plus some fun information

For nearly three decades, PHP has been a scripting language of choice.

Initially released in 1994 as a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) suite, the general-purpose object-oriented programming language is widely used by some of today's biggest online brands. It is highly versatile, used to create dynamic websites and web applications. From building productivity tools to creating interactive web pages, PHP is a dominant force in the programming arena for several reasons.

Learning to develop with PHP is a critical skill for developers. This allows them to work on a wide variety of different types of projects. That's why the developer community – especially those in the web space – continues to trust its robust features and applicability. With the scripting language, they can create everything from secure web databases to complex web applications and more. It's also a great language for creating formidable security platforms to protect information online.

There are many interesting facts about PHP to delight new and experienced programmers and technicians. Let's dive deep into the immersive world of PHP and its illustrious history.

Quick and Fun Facts about the PHP Programming Language

PHP comes with a variety of interesting information and backstories. To name just a few:

• PHP's original mascot was a cheerful blue elephant .
• In fact, the scripting language has no officially documented specifications.
• PHP originally stood for “Personal Home Page”. Why? Rasmus Lerdorf, its creator, originally created the language for personal web development.
• Today, however, PHP stands for “Hypertext Preprocessor” – a testament to its growing and widespread use cases.

Curious to learn even more interesting facts about PHP? Let's take a look.

1. It lends itself to rapid, customizable development

PHP is a great option for developers who need a language that not only facilitates rapid development but also aids in customization efforts. Using the language, developers can complete projects quickly. Thanks to the huge popularity of PHP, there is a huge support community, as well as a number of useful tools, including scalable web frameworks.

PHP helps turn concepts into functional projects quickly, and that means faster time to market – a big advantage.

2. It is one of the main languages ​​for web development

According to recent research , almost 80% of developers choose PHP as their server-side scripting language. Although it is by no means a new language, it remains a highly sought after skill among web developers and professionals in the field. This is due to its widespread use, many scalable PHP frameworks, and active – and growing – community.

PHP doesn't sort. September 8, 2023 TIOBE Index and no. 11 in the Stack Overflow 2023 survey, a testament to its reliability and ubiquity in the developer community.

3. It's used by some of the biggest names in the world

Many of the biggest companies in the global technology world depend on PHP. Giants from all industries leverage the enormous capabilities of the scripting language to develop their websites and web applications and successfully meet the needs of a growing number of users every day.

PHP acts as the basis for platforms such as Drupal and WordPress. Other companies and websites that use the PHP language include Facebook/Meta, Lyft, MailChimp, Wikipedia, Slack, Etsy, Tumblr, Spotify, WhatsApp, Yahoo, and many others.

#4 It’s trustworthy

PHP is considered a highly reliable scripting language in the programming world, further contributing to its popularity. The versatile nature of PHP allows for seamless operations across all platforms as well as compatibility with almost all major web browsers. All these features contribute to the reliability of the language.

#5 It’s customizable

PHP empowers developers to create highly customizable projects, tailored to the needs of the hiring company and the type of product they want to create.

Depending on factors such as the size and time frame of the project, as well as the required scalability and complexity, PHP developers have the ability to create unique solutions that perfectly align with the hiring company's specifications, business objectives, and budgets.

PHP offers great flexibility. Developers can use the language to create a variety of projects, including those that need to fit smaller budgets. The many resources available to assist developers also allow for better customization and help ensure the final product matches the company's vision.

#6 It is one of the most used languages ​​for server-side development

PHP is the main language for server-side development, also called back-end development. Developers use server-side programming languages ​​to build the part of the product, usually a website or web application, that users don't see or interact with. However, the server side is what gives structure to the product.

Front-end and back-end developers work together to ensure that the server-side and client-side work together seamlessly and fluidly. PHP helps create the foundation for countless websites, web applications, and various other applications and digital products.

#7 It’s economical

PHP is a cost-effective option for a wide variety of development needs because it is an open source language. This helps companies and development teams as they look to keep costs low. On the one hand, it eliminates the need to pay heavy licensing fees, thus making development and maintenance processes much more economical.

The open source nature of PHP combined with a fast development cycle, a streamlined workflow, and a hassle-free maintenance process also contribute to the accessibility of working with the scripting language.

#8: Works on all major operating systems

PHP code is flexible, scalable, and adaptable, and these factors are due, at least in part, to its cross-platform functionality.

Managed by the PHP Group, PHP runs on all major platforms and operating systems, including Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux.

Scripting language compatibility with these platforms not only elevates their functionality and capabilities, but also helps ensure a high level of performance.

Why are there so many PHP developers?

PHP is a veteran among scripting and programming languages, helping developers build the backend of websites, web applications, cross-platform products, and more.

Many of the biggest brands and companies have PHP as part of their technology stacks. Today, you can assume that most people have accessed a product that is at least partially powered by the language. Millions of people continue to use it every day.

PHP is scalable, reliable and reliable. We can expect it to continue to have a place as an important server language in the web space in particular, thanks to its many attributes and benefits.

When deciding whether PHP development is the right language for your next project, companies and developers should consider the language's advantages and disadvantages. Its large online community, strong foundational elements, versatility, compatibility, and extensive documentation make it a reliable choice for a variety of web development projects.

As with any development project, when getting started, always keep the project's specific requirements in mind to determine whether PHP is fully aligned with your goals and vision for your product.