Python vs. PHP: Which One to Choose in 2024?

Python vs. PHP: Which One to Choose in 2024?

Both Python and PHP are prominent and powerful languages and among the two, Python is used for general purposes similar to Java and PHP which are mostly used for web development. They are quite different from one another in terms of defining variables, syntax, speed, areas of application, code readability, etc. Python came to the market earlier than PHP whereas PHP is a more popular language.

There is an interesting cold war occurring between PHP fans and Python lovers and it’s not showing any signs of dying down. It will be interesting to see how Python and PHP raise their game to win!

Best Wishes to them!

What is Python?

Python is a high-level programming language used for general purposes. Guido van Rossum, a Dutch programmer created Python in 1991 with a design philosophy of code readability with significant use of whitespace. It follows an object-oriented approach and allows programmers to write clean code. 

With a simple syntax and grammar, Python believes in a design philosophy called ‘there should be one—and preferably only one—obvious way to do it’ contrary to Pearls’ philosophy, ‘there is more than one way to do it’. Hire skilled Python developers to bring innovation and efficiency to your coding endeavors.

The core philosophy of Python as mentioned in the Zen of Python (document):

  • Beautiful is better than ugly
  • Explicit is better than implicit
  • Simple is better than complex
  • Complex is better than complicated
  • Readability counts

Features of Python:

  • Easy-to-learn syntax that makes it a popular choice for beginners and experienced developers.
  • It can run on different hardware platforms with the same interface.
  • You can add different low-level modules to the Python interpreter.
  • Python features a suitable structure as well as support for large programs.
  • Python has an automatic garbage collection.
  • It has interactive modes for testing & debugging.
  • It supports high-level dynamic data types and dynamic type checking.
  • You can integrate Python with Java, C, and C++.
  • Cross-platform compatibility (can run on different operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS)

What is PHP?

Like Python, PHP or Hypertext Preprocessor is also a generic purpose programming language. However, it was originally designed as a web development language. A Danish-Canadian programmer named Rasmus Lerdorf created PHP in 1994.

You can execute PHP with a Command Line Interface (CLI) which is embedded into HTML. In addition, you can go with a combination of various web template systems. Generally, a PHP interpreter deploys the code as a module on a web server. If we keep aside the web context, we can use PHP for robotic control drone and standalone graphical applications also.

Features of PHP:

  • Open-source programming language
  • Cross-platform compatibility (works on various operating systems)
  • Easy to learn and use
  • Designed for web development
  • Supports various web frameworks such as Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter
  • Supports a wide range of databases including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and MongoDB
  • Offers strong community support and a wealth of online resources
  • Can be used for server-side scripting, command-line scripting, and desktop application development
  • Supports various file formats such as XML, JSON, and CSV
  • Offers powerful string manipulation and regular expression capabilities.

Python vs. PHP Comparison Table

Python vs. PHP is a never-ending battle and we can’t get rid of the fact that Python is cooler than PHP in several fields and vice versa! PHP relies on object-oriented programming, while Python encompasses both object-oriented and procedural programming paradigms. Python, being a versatile programming language, is widely employed in backend web development.

We are comparing both languages in the light of some pre-defined parameters in the following table:

Parameter

Python

PHP

Frameworks

Python has fewer frameworks

PHP has more frameworks

Popularity

Broadly used in data science, AI and scientific community

Main choice for web development

Database Connectivity

Narrow database connectivity support

Supports more than 20 various databases

Community Support

Currently growing fast.

Broader community support.

Learning curve

Python is perfect for long-term projects.

PHP has a very low learning curve.

Readability

Python uses strict indentation enforcements that empower more readability.

Being a highly documented language, PHP follows a classic approach

Type of language

General purpose programming language

Web development programming language.

Syntax

Quite clear and concise.

The built-in library has  a large number of naming conventions

A famous company using this technology

Uber, Pinterest, Mozilla

Hootsuite, Viber, Appcelerator

Git hub stars

30.4 K

30 K

Fork

8.23 K

8.04 K

TIOBE rating

4th position

7th position

Key Features

Rapid development &Dynamic typing

Open source, Easy Deployment, and, Continual Improvements.

Best frameworks

Flask, Django, jam.py.

Slim, Laravel, Fast-free framework.

Salaries

The average amount: $120,024 per year

The average amount: $86,017 per year.

 

The Basic Coding Differences

Let’s see how both PHP and Python differ from each other in terms of their code functionalities:

Basic Coding Differences

Python

PHP

Variables

Defining variables in Python is a simple hack. If you want to define a variable and set value (1) for it, just mention in words (one).

 

You can define the variable as numbers in PHP.

Control Flow

‘If’ and ‘Else’ are used as expressions for true and false.

Same as Python

Looping / Iterator

Python has various looping forms. ‘While’ is used for a true statement and ‘for’ is used for the false one, provided with a looping condition.

PHP uses While, Do-While, For and Foreach Loops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Python vs. PHP Performance Comparison

A PHP vs. Python performance comparison will be an absolute idea to find out the strong competitor. Setting apart the technical parameters, we are using some general parameters to know which scores more in the Python vs. PHP war.

Ease of Learning

Python is one of the painless languages to learn. It has more code readability rather than other frameworks. In addition, with simpler syntax; Python is the king of big data now.

Unlike Python, PHP is not a general purpose language and it is solely built for web development.

Documentation

There is no clear winner between Python and PHP regarding document availability. Exclusive documents are available for learning both.

Community Support

Being a favored framework, PHP has strong community support. The popularity of this web development framework has generated a huge community for the same from where you can get immense support from all.

The most popular social network, Facebook runs on PHP. However, Python got its popularity when apps like YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Reddit started using it.

Library Support

Python has excellent and well-developed library support and it beats PHP. When we talk about web development, PHP is like a dominating language. However, Python has some extraordinary machine learning libraries such as TensorFlow, Keras, Theano, Scikit Learn, etc. along with web development compatibility. In addition, the libraries of Python are easier to use, faster, and have better integration than other frameworks.

Speed

Speed is a critical factor to judge the performance of two frameworks. 

Each time a file is created or modified; Python converts the code into bytecode. This code compilation method makes Python quicker than PHP. PHP programmers can simply improve the speed of PHP applications by installing a variety of caching systems. By default, Python is a faster language.

Learning Curve

Beginners find Python easy to understand and readable. Python has room for mistakes as the main code does not break due to small faults. This is one of the prominent reasons why the leading CS schools are adopting Python as a core language.

In addition, the PHP community is spending significant efforts to make the framework beginner friendly with all possible tutorials and courses.

Stack Overflow: Python vs. PHP tags

Stack Overflow is a popular developer’s platform where various development related questions are answered with the right solutions. Approximately more than 4 million developers use this platform every day. Therefore, it’s essential to compare the Python vs. PHP tags on this prominent platform.

Image courtesy: stackOverflow

Usage of PHP vs.Python for Web Development

It’s interesting to know the usage of PHP vs. Python for web development. The following diagram shows the percentage of how many websites use PHP and Python. Total 79.0% of all websites use PHP and in comparison to its overall 1.1% of websites using Python.


Image courtesy: w3techs.com

Python Latest Version 3.12:

Python 3.12 was released in October 2023. Here's an overview of the new features and changes in Python 3.12:

1. Library Changes:

  • Removal of the distutils package from the standard library.
  • Cleanup of deprecated APIs in the standard library for improved usability and correctness.
  • Improvements in filesystem support in os and pathlib.
  • Several modules with enhanced performance.

2. Language Changes:

  • Improvements in f-strings, with the removal of many limitations.
  • Enhanced 'Did you mean ...' suggestions for improved usability.

3. Type System Improvements:

  • Introduction of new type parameter syntax and the type statement.
  • Improved ergonomics for using generic types and type aliases with static type checkers.

These changes suggest a focus on enhancing the overall usability, performance, and correctness of Python in version 3.12. The improvements in f-strings, type system enhancements, and removing deprecated APIs align with Python's ongoing efforts to provide a more efficient and developer-friendly programming experience.

Check our blog on a guide to develop an app using Python.

PHP Latest Version - PHP 8.3:

PHP 8.3 was released as planned on November 23, bringing a range of new features and enhancements compared to the previous PHP 8.2 version. Despite being labeled as a minor release, PHP 8.3 introduces changes that could significantly impact your PHP development, potentially leading to more efficient and less error-prone coding.

Let's dive into latest updates in PHP 8.3

  1. Typed Class Constants:

PHP 8.3 introduces support for type declarations in class constants, allowing you to specify the data type of a constant's value.

  1. A New json_validate() Function:

The addition of the json_validate() function in PHP 8.3 provides a convenient way to validate and parse JSON data without explicitly decoding it, helping improve JSON data handling.

  1. Deep Cloning of readonly Properties:

With PHP 8.3, it is now possible to perform deep cloning of objects with readonly properties, enhancing the flexibility and reliability of object manipulation.

  1. New #[\Override] Attribute:

The new #[\Override] attribute allows developers to explicitly indicate that a method is intended to override a method from a parent class or interface, enhancing code clarity and preventing accidental misuses.

  1. Dynamic Fetching of Class Constants and Enum Members:

PHP 8.3 enables dynamic fetching of class constants and enum members, providing a more flexible and dynamic approach to working with these elements.

  1. New getBytesFromString() Method:

Adding the getBytesFromString() method provides a convenient way to obtain the byte representation of a string, facilitating operations that require byte-level manipulation.

  1. New getFloat() and nextFloat() Methods:

PHP 8.3 introduces the getFloat() and nextFloat() methods, offering enhanced functionality for working with floating-point numbers, providing better precision and control in numeric operations.

to know more about the reasons why you should consider PHP for custom app development.

Feature/Aspect Python 3.12 PHP 8.3
Release Date October 2, 2023 November 23, 2023
Language Focus Usability, performance, and correctness Coding efficiency and bug reduction
Library Changes Distutils removal, cleanup of deprecated APIs, filesystem improvements Typed class constants, json_validate() function, deep cloning of readonly properties
Language Changes F-string improvements, 'Did you mean ...' suggestions Typed class constants, #[\Override] attribute, dynamic fetching of class constants and enum members
Type System Enhancements New type parameter syntax, type statement -
New Functions/Methods - json_validate(), getBytesFromString(), getFloat() and nextFloat() methods
Business Benefits Enhanced code maintainability and reliability, potential performance boosts Improved development speed, reduced potential for errors, efficient data handling
Focus Areas Usability, performance, and correctness Coding efficiency, data handling, and object manipulation

 

Business Benefits:

  • Python 3.12: Businesses adopting Python 3.12 may experience improved code maintainability and reliability, potentially leading to better performance. This can contribute to smoother development workflows and more robust applications. 

    Know which are the Top Python Development Companies.
  • PHP 8.3: For businesses working with PHP 8.3, the focus on coding efficiency and bug reduction can result in faster development cycles and decreased chances of introducing errors. The enhancements in data handling and object manipulation contribute to more efficient and reliable PHP applications.

    Know which are the Top PHP Development Companies

Ultimately, the choice between Python 3.12 and PHP 8.3 may depend on specific project requirements, existing codebase, and the preferred programming paradigm. Both versions bring valuable improvements that can positively impact businesses by promoting efficient development practices and reducing the likelihood of bugs.

Use Cases of Python:

  1. Web Development:

Django and Flask frameworks make Python a popular choice for building scalable and maintainable web applications.

  1. Data Science and Machine Learning:

Python's extensive libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Scikit-learn make it a go-to language for data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence applications.

  1. Automation and Scripting:

Python's simplicity and readability make it ideal for automating repetitive tasks, system administration, and writing scripts.

  1. Scientific Computing:

Python is widely used in scientific research and computational science for tasks such as simulations, data analysis, and visualization.

  1. Network Servers and Protocols:

Python's versatility is seen in networking applications, where it is used for creating servers, handling protocols, and building network-related tools.

Use Cases of PHP:

  1. Web Development:

PHP is a server-side scripting language commonly used for building dynamic websites and web applications. It is often embedded in HTML.

  1. Content Management Systems (CMS):

PHP powers popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, allowing for the creation and management of content-rich websites.

  1. E-commerce Platforms:

Many e-commerce solutions, including Magento and WooCommerce, rely on PHP for creating online shopping platforms and managing transactions.

  1. Server-Side Scripting:

PHP is primarily designed for server-side scripting, enabling the execution of scripts on the server to generate dynamic web pages.

  1. Database Management:

PHP is commonly used with databases such as MySQL, facilitating the creation of database-driven web applications.

  1. API Development:

PHP builds APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for connecting different software applications and services.

Both Python and PHP have diverse use cases, and the choice between them often depends on specific project requirements, team expertise, and the nature of the application being developed.

Summing Up

In terms of technical infrastructure Python always scores high in the battle, Python vs. PHP, with impeccable code readability. When PHP is widely used for web development, Python is empowered with the magical power to define data science and machine learning apart from the capability of becoming a reliable web development platform. PHP is speedier than Python.

So choose wisely!

Author

Vinit Sharma, a seasoned technologist with over 21 years of expertise in Open Source, cloud transformation, DevSecOps strategy, and software architecture, is a Technical Architect leading Open Source, DevOps, and Cloud Computing initiatives at Clarion. Holding certifications as an Architect and Business Analyst professional, he specializes in PHP services, including CMS Drupal and Laravel, contributing significantly to the dynamic landscape of content management and web development.

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