Chapter 1: The Perception of PHP

PHP, despite its long-standing presence in web development, remains one of the most underrated programming languages, according to recent Stack Overflow surveys. While the survey doesn’t delve into the specifics of this perception, numerous factors contribute to it.

Diving into the programming community reveals both critiques and accolades for PHP. Unlike popular languages today that emphasize functional programming and higher salaries, PHP has carved out a niche primarily for web development. Many developers do not envision a future where they would continue working with PHP long-term. Although it excels in its designated role, that role is primarily limited to web applications.

PHP emerged as an easy-to-use solution for creating dynamic websites. However, the landscape has evolved, with alternatives like JavaScript (especially Node.js) and Python gaining traction for their engaging features. The majority of PHP applications follow a model-view-controller (MVC) architecture, which integrates dynamic content into server-rendered HTML. Nonetheless, as methodologies like JAMStack and the JavaScript ecosystem (with frameworks like React, Angular, and Solid.js) rise in popularity, the relevance of PHP's MVC approach appears to be waning.

While PHP is mature and effective for its intended purpose, its rigid coding paradigms can lead to monotony. Personally, while I appreciate WordPress, I find Node.js far more enjoyable for development, even if it lacks PHP’s maturity.

PHP's history is rather unique; it started as a basic tool in a time when options were limited, which explains its widespread adoption. Despite its shortcomings, PHP has proven capable of managing critical online content efficiently.

A key test for any programming language involves stripping it down to its core components. Remove PHP's interpreter, its Standard Library, and its runtime module (C->Apache), and what remains is a language that may seem lackluster (the creator himself acknowledged it was initially a procedural C framework).

Frameworks have often been misused, creating a divide between elite developers and those less experienced. This has led to a proliferation of self-proclaimed experts who are more adept at using frameworks than understanding core PHP or functional programming concepts.

The stigma around modifying PHP code written by others has grown, pushing many toward frameworks instead. However, a true professional should never shy away from engaging with another programmer’s code.

The language's popularity is often fueled by the large projects built on it, such as Mambo, Joomla, and WordPress. Interestingly, while WordPress dominates the PHP landscape, it ironically operates on platforms that do not necessarily reflect PHP's capabilities.

Ultimately, programmers can have mixed feelings toward their languages, just as they can toward their work. Some developers may express a dislike for PHP, just as others might feel the same way about JavaScript, C#, or Python.

The first video discusses the 2023 Stack Overflow survey results, exploring the notion that "PHP will make you poor?" and examines the sentiment surrounding PHP's relevance in the modern coding landscape.

Chapter 2: Insights from the Community

The second video offers five key takeaways from the 2024 Stack Overflow survey, shedding light on what developers think about PHP and other programming languages in the current tech environment.