Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus last year, businesses are not only adapting to the new normal but also going digital faster than ever. This may be one of the reasons why there is a dramatic surge in web development. According to recent statistics, there are more than 1.5 billion websites running on the internet. So, If you are also planning to make a shift from a brick-and-mortar store to the dynamic online world, you also need a website, since it is a must-have to run a business on the internet. However, when it comes to web development, you’ll be spoilt with a slew of programming languages that are used for developing responsive, feature-rich, and customer-centric web app solutions. Not to mention, choosing the best programming language from a wide gamut of options can be a tough row to hoe for anyone. Right? If you are also struggling to decide what programming language you should opt for web development in 2021, you must read on to this informative piece until the end.
Amid all the strong contenders on the battlefield, PHP and Python have stolen the thunder and they deserve to be talked about. Ergo, this detailed piece will walk you through the insightful comparison between PHP and Python, so that you can choose the right one for your web development project. Let’s get started.
A Quick Overview of PHP
PHP is not a newbie in the market, because it has been around for over 2 decades. This open-source general-purpose scripting language is engineered for web development. Today, it is powering over 34 million websites on the internet.
Who Uses PHP?
PHP is backed by businesses of all sizes. Some leading brands that have trusted PHP include:
- Yahoo
- Wikipedia
- Spotify
- WordPress
- Slack
- DailyMotion
- MailChimp
A Quick Overview of Python
Launched back in 1991, Python is another popular general-purpose programming language that is ideal for web development. In last year’s developer survey, Python was under the top 5 programming languages.
Who Uses Python?
Python is backed by the top industry titans including:
- Uber
- Dropbox
- Netflix
- Shopify
Benefits of Using PHP
Though PHP offers a host of benefits for web development, enlisted below are some of the top ones:
- Web applications developed using PHP run smoothly across all the operating systems including Linux, Windows, Unix, and more.
- Since it is open-source, you don’t need to invest a whopping amount of money to get your web application developed.
- Web applications developed using PHP load at blazing fast speed, which in turn, helps you rank higher in search results.
- Supported by major web servers including Apache, Microsoft IIS, and more.
Cons of PHP
- Security issues
- Popularity is decreasing periodically
- No IOT alliance
- Externally dependent
- Lack of specialized libraries
Benefits of Using Python
- Easy to test
- Robust stack of frameworks
- Supports multitasking
- Ideal for web development, if you are on a budget
- It comes with a ton of useful resources
- Allows you to build prototypes in a quick turnaround time
- Build more functions by writing a fewer line of codes
- Backed by an active and strong community of developers
Cons Of Python
- Speed Limitations
- Security Issues
- Threading Issues
- Design Restrictions
- Lack of seasoned developers
- Slower than Compiled Languages
- Not a good choice for Memory-Intensive Tasks
Parting Thoughts
There is no clear winner in the battle of PHP vs Python. The reason being is both programming languages have their own pros and cons. In the end, it’s wise to say that the decision of choosing a programming language for your web development boils down to your project scope and needs. You should opt for python development services if you want to build a website using the Django framework or working in the realm of robotics, data science, and data analytics. On the other hand, you should consider PHP, if you are planning to develop robust websites, web apps, and blogs.
