PHP and Python are the popular high-level programming languages which have a strong open source background and also provide comprehensive design documentation. The major difference between PHP and Python is that PHP is broadly used for web development whereas Python is a general-purpose full-stack programming language. PHP is a server-side scripting language, in contrast, Python is an object-oriented scripting language.
Content: PHP Vs Python
Comparison Chart
| Basis for comparison | PHP | Python |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity and availability. | More prevalent and exist in many systems. | Less popular as compared to PHP. |
| Readability | PHP is not much maintainable as compared to python. | The maintainability and change acquirement of Python is very good. |
| Security | Offers fewer security features. | More secure. |
| Functional features | Functional programming is not provided. | Functional programming techniques are possible. |
Definition of PHP
PHP development was initiated in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf. Earlier the acronym used for PHP was Personal Home Page which was replaced with Hypertext Preprocessor later. Its documentation is available online free of cost, as it is released in terms of an open source license. In the starting, the PHP doesn’t support object-oriented programming which was added in later versions.
Most of the prevalent content management systems use PHP such as Media wiki, Drupal, Joomla, WordPress and so on which permit site creation without much programming skills. The main benefit of PHP is that it is available on each shared hosting provider. PHP is considered as most entrenched runtime environment on the server at present. It could provide better search engine rating and accessibility on hosting providers.
Syntax and Semantics
The embedded code technique was devised by PHP so that the code is embedded directly into a content document. This code embedding technique was very effective for static and small web pages. Later the embedded code was replaced by template files as the web developed and applications got more and more complicated.
The implicit type conversion is used in PHP hence it is a weak type system. For example, an integer and a string are comparable in a boolean expression; this could create confusion and uncertainty. There is another disadvantage of using integrated MYSQL database statements directly in the code because the database systems are tightly coupled to PHP by certain functions.
Previously Object-oriented paradigms were not implemented in PHP, and it is easy to learn for novice coders. Its syntax is close to languages such as C and Java. PHP is very robust language that provide a strong user base and its distribution.
Readability
PHP seems familiar language as it is originated from C based syntax. The later version of PHP supports object-oriented programming where code and modules comprised of functions are encapsulated into an object.
Performance
The extensions are commonly used in PHP that cache compiled bytecode to prevent compiling of the source code on every single request.
Definition of Python
The development of Python language is initiated in 1991, by Guido van Rossum. It was devised as a fully features general purpose language unlike PHP it is not promisingly used as a web scripting language. The language has a defacto standard which was implemented by the python foundation.
Python also does have an open source background similar to PHP. Although it offers a collaborated web framework which enhances its flexibility but it needs more programming efforts, Zope application server is mostly used python web framework. The benefit of python is on the discussion media ratings.
Syntax and Semantics
The Python language doesn’t emphasize on the web application development. There used a different method for web frameworks such as CGI, WSGI (Web Server Gateway Interface) which can be helpful to change the environment and gateway of the web application without affecting the source code, which makes it portable. However, it is quite complex to use the WSGI for the novice programmers.
Dissimilar to PHP, the Python language was designed with the employed object-oriented paradigm, in spite of this, it also supports procedural and functional programming. The syntax of python is simple and easy to learn. It has a strong type system and uses explicit techniques.
Readability
Python is more readable than PHP as its commands resemble the words used in natural English language. It is aspect-oriented where the modules separate the functionality.
Performance
Python also provides caching system known as memcached for web applications.
Key Differences Between PHP and Python
- Among PHP and Python, the PHP is most widespread and pervasively used.
- PHP and Python, both languages are readable, but Python is more maintainable than PHP and comprised of very few keywords.
- PHP allows bad programming practices which result in many security-related bugs, although it can be used securely. On the contrary, Python provides more security features than PHP.
- Python supports functional programming whereas PHP doesn’t offer functional paradigms.
- PHP doesn’t support exception properly; conversely, in python, there is proper provision for exception handling.
- In python, a “yield” statement is used for the generator function. On the other hand, PHP has no provision for threads (concurrent programming).
Conclusion
The PHP and Python languages are used for different purposes, PHP is mostly used in web development whereas Python is a full-stack programming language utilized in engineering and science and graphics. Both languages have their respective advantages and disadvantages according to usage. However, Python is flexible while PHP is restricted in some way.
hitesh says
Good info abt Python
Sairam says
Good Information shared. Keep up guys.
Luqmaan Sh says
What are the key differences between PHP and Python in terms of security features, functional programming, and exception handling?