What is PHP, Should I learn PHP in 2022?

PHP was originally created in 1994 and is a server scripting language used to make dynamic and interactive webpages (at the time of writing PHP 8 is the latest version available). When it was launched it gave developers the chance to add interactivity to their websites at a time when the Dotcom boom was in full swing and companies were racing to get themselves online.

In recent years newer scripting languages have emerged however 77.5% of websites still use PHP as their server-side language, so it is still very much in use.

With 77.5% of websites utilizing PHP in some way it may seem confusing why the relevance of PHP is even a discussion point. To understand that we need to look into the specific applications where it is most commonly found.

Discover the Best Mobile Application Development Company

Applications using PHP

Over 35% of all websites are powered in some way through Wordpress… (that’s 455 million sites)… and in case you hadn't guessed Wordpress utilises PHP.

With the vast number of sites hosted by Wordpress it would be an unlikely for them to move away from the language anytime soon, so on the surface, the demand for PHP knowledge look like it will be around for a while.

Other large companies such as Wikipedia, Etsy, MailChimp and Slack also rely on PHP for their sites.

On the flip side, it is worth noting that few startups seem to be favouring PHP. This means that applications and opportunities tend to be tied to legacy platforms instead of focused around developing content for new startups or business projects. This is a factor to consider when looking forward to future opportunities in the programming space.

Job Availability

When I was researching job prospects honestly I found mixed feedback. It is true that a quick search in any freelancing website or job search engine using PHP as a keyword returns a lot of results. The opportunities are definitely out there and the skill is very much in demand.

The graph below shows the trend of how many “IT jobs” in the UK requested PHP as a skill. While the term “IT job” is very generic the overall trend is what we are interested in here.

You can see a big uptake between 2005–2014 in line with the rising popularity of Wordpress. Since 2014 there has been a steady decline in the proportion of opportunities which is concerning. However, there is no dramatic falloff to imply that jobs will be existent in the future as some people like to make out.

Find out the Experienced Web Application or WebsiteDevelopment Company

Ease of Learning

Although I have hidden this point at the end I think for me it was the most important when finally deciding whether to spend time learning PHP.

PHP has many parallels to other languages and is relatively easy to get an initial grasp of. The syntax of PHP is based on Java and C which makes it easier to learn than some other languages out there. Another benefit is that being well-established PHP has a lot of documentation and resources available for people who wish to learn it.

 

A large number of extensions exist to further facilitate the learning process and speed of autonomy which is a big plus.

The Verdict

There is no doubt that although the industry is moving towards newer programming languages the legacy that PHP has built up combined with the volume of existing sites that exist means it will be around for a while to come.

Job opportunities are definitely out there, however, for those developers with an eye on developing platforms for start-ups maybe they are not the kind of opportunities that excite you — and that is definitely something to consider.

For me personally, there is definitely a place to learn PHP in 2022. I believe although there might be trendier options out there gaining an appreciation of the fundamentals will be an invaluable skill and unlock a wider variety of opportunities moving forwards.

Learn more about Leading Software Development company