PHP vs Python: Which One is Best for Web Development?

PHP vs Python

The world of web development is a very vast one. Two programming languages are very frequently used here. These are PHP and Python. Both of these languages are very popular, largely due to their rich history and the unique advantages that they offering.

As a developer, it is very important that you pick the right language for your projects. This is important to ensure that you get the job done just right. To choose the best language for your project, it is most important that you take into account several factors that can help you do just that. In this blog, we will explore PHP vs Python to see which one you should choose, after addressing the strengths and weakness of each.

Overview of PHP

PHP programming language is a server-side scripting language that is designed specifically for web development. It has a very powerful content management system which is what has made this language largely popular, specifically for websites and web applications. Over the year, this language has evolved rapidly and is still one of the most widely used languages.

Overview of PHP
Advantages of PHP
  • Ease of use: this language is very easy to use, since it can be embedded easily with HTML. Developers who are familiar with web development concepts can easily understand this language.
  • Wide Adoption: In platforms like WordPress, this is extensively used since it has a very large ecosystem.
  • Performance in Web Applications: this language is optimized for web development tasks and it also works very well with server side functions.
Disadvantages of PHP
  • Outdated Syntax: In contrast to more contemporary programming languages, some contend that PHP’s syntax is antiquated. Even though it has been enhanced in more recent versions, Python frequently has a cleaner syntax.
  • Not as Versatile: Python and other programming languages are more versatile than PHP, which was created with web development in mind.

Overview of Python

Python is a popular computer programming language used for creating software and websites, task automation, and data analysis. Python is a general-purpose language, which means it isn’t tailored for any particular issue and may be used to develop a wide range of programs.

Overview of Python
Advantages of Python
  • Readable syntax: the language’s syntax is very easy to read and write, which means that the development time is reduced significantly.
  • Versatility: Alongside web development, it is also used for other things like data analysis and machine learning.
  • Robust frameworks: its web development frameworks are very powerful which means that very minimal effort is needed with this programming language.
Disadvantages of Python
  • Slower Speed: It is slower as compared to PHP, mainly die t the fact that there are many server side computations required for this.
  • Hosting Costs: it also has high hosting costs, which makes these applications more expensive.

PHP vs Python for Web Development

When choosing between these two, it is important to understand that each of these have their own set of advantages. The difference lies in how the different development tasks are approached.

 

In terms of performance, PHP is definitely the faster option. However, the gap has gone down largely after the use of new tools like caching. Python is generally much easier to learn which means that it is definitely the top choice for beginners. PHP on the other hand can seem a little more cluttered on the whole. Both of these have large communities which means that it is easy to get the required support. Strong security features are provided by both languages, yet PHP has a history of security flaws because of shoddy coding techniques. However, by putting best practices into practice, contemporary PHP frameworks like Laravel have increased security.

How Can TPLEX Help?

TPLEX have expert programmers on board who can help you pick out the best programming language that would work for you. All you need to do is get in touch with us and we will have experts from our team to guide you through.

FAQS

  • Which is better, PHP or Python?

Both languages are great for web development. The one that you pick depends on the type of project that you are working on, depending on the factors that you consider for that.

  • Can Python do everything PHP can?

Yes, it can. Python is a general language largely so it can handle many web development tasks. PHP is specifically focused on web development at large.

  • Is PHP more secure than Python?

Python and PHP are not intrinsically more secure than one another. A web application’s security is determined by the developer’s methods. That said, writing safe apps is made easier by Python’s emphasis on readability and clean code. Although PHP has a history of security problems, when used properly, new PHP frameworks have significantly increased PHP’s security.

What do you think?

Alan Maxwell
Business Strategist

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