Python vs PHP: Which Language To Choose In 2020?

Are you struggling to make a choice between two programming languages? Well, it usually happens before the beginning of any project because every programming language has its own importance and offers different features. But, we need to select the best one for a particular software.

Now, this blog will eradicate your confusion and will make you meet with the facts of both PHP & Python. Here in this blog, you will find some facts and features of both these programming languages. In this way, you will come to know which one is the best for your custom software development.

This is one of the graphical stats surveyed by StackOverflow which clearly shows the future and the popularity of the Python and PHP language:

Here are some of the highlights which focus back on the history of the python:

Python was first researched in late 1980 but was brought into light in December 1989.

Guido van Rossum invented it in the Netherlands.

Python was derived from ABC programming language which is a general-purpose programming language.

These days the Core development team is maintaining Python but still, there is a great role of Rossum in handling its maintenance.

History of PHP

Talking about the origin of PHP, it was first researched by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1995.

Then it was again researched and rewritten in 1997 and came into light as PHP 2.0 with a new passer engine by Zeev Suraski and Gutmans.

PHP2 shifted the language into a Server-side scripting language.

PHP3 offered support for ODBC( Open Database connectivity).

PHP4 has become an independent component of the webserver for added efficiency and it was initially released in 2000.

PHP5 adds Zend Engine II with object-oriented programming, robust XML support and it was first released in 2000.

---

Now, let’s start discussing PHP vs Python but before making a deep analysis of this, let’s have a quick look at some of the parameters which show the role of these programming languages in the development field:

Let’s analyze some of the parameters which decide the performance of the PHP and Python:

Ease of learning

This is one of the most important and major parameters which makes it simple for us to decide which frameworks are best to be used. It is very important that the programming language should be easy as it would be easy to learn.

Talking about the learning, it could be said that Python is a much easier language in comparison to PHP. Python is so easy to learn that it can be grasped very quickly for the general-purpose programming language and to teach the basics of programming. Apart from this, the length of the writing code of Python is much shorter and easy as compared to PHP.

This is the reason it has become a preferred choice for a lot of applications. The syntax structure of Python language is much easier and readable in comparison to other programming languages.

---

Versatility

With the passage of time, the role of web applications has been elaborated as they are not only limited to developing simple portals or websites that provide only information. Web applications have become more AI and Machine learning-oriented.

These algorithms of machine learning help web applications to reach their users accurately as well as machine learning helps the organizations to invest in specific and proper domains.

There are various libraries of Python that are almost AI-based and these libraries are very strong and powerful as compared to the libraries being provided by PHP. the libraries of python include assistants like NLP (Natural Language Processing), image processing and many others.

On the other hand, the coding language of PHP is a little difficult to understand and is not meant for general-purpose. It is helpful for making web applications that are more specific than simple and easy programs.

---

Library management

Python handles PiP management which is really helpful to manage packages. With the help of Pip, it is really easy to manage different libraries for Python within a Python application. You can fulfill your project’s requirements easily with this Pip tool as it is really fast to do it at a glance. Do not forget to keep this Pip tool in your bag being a Python developer as this tool is really essential for you.

PHP’s library management isn’t as strong. PHP 7 introduced Composer, which is a fantastic tool, mostly feature complete, and (when paired with a tool like Packagist), you’ll find package management close to on-par with Python’s. Unfortunately, it’s still pretty young.

In short, it could be said that Python is having a large variety of packages which is having tools that are easier to use and install.

---

Speed

Let’s talk about the speed and performance of both these languages. When there was a PHP 5.x version, it’s speed was very slow and PHP 7.x came with extremely high speed, almost 3 times faster in comparison to the Python program.

Speed is indeed one of the major factors for the overall performance of any system. In many organizations, the performance of the systems really matters because if the speed gets slow down then it can create a great impact on the overall performance of the organization.

So, in short, it could be said that in terms of speed, PHP wins over Python.

---

Community Support

Python belongs to the field of CGI scripting and it has made its high importance in a few years and this is the reason it is being used as the most widely used programming language for web development.

On the other hand, PHP is not that familiar with web scripting as this is somehow new to web scripting. Php was also introduced as a powerful programming language when it first came into appearance. It was expected to provide the same multiple features.

---

Frameworks

Frameworks help to fulfill various tasks without complexity as these are basically ready-made tools or structures, with the help of which we can create websites with more ease and without the need for coding. The reason behind this is that these frameworks can do a lot of things on their own. There is no need for expert coders in the presence of frameworks.

There are various frameworks of Python such as Django, Flask, Electron, Pylons. Among all these platforms, Django is considered to be one of the best frameworks for web development which is known among all developers.

Django is popular because it is very simple to use, secure and really quick. It is really helpful for developing multiple applications. Django is very famous among the developers too as it takes less time to develop because of its simplicity.

There is one more popular framework apart from Django and Flask. This framework is also highly used by the developers in web development, especially those who are not aware of any other framework for web development before. It is said in the Python community that “Django is used by the Navy while the Pirates use flask”.

Python wins this battle hands-down.

---

Pricing

Talking about the pricing of Python and PHP, it could be said that they are both free and open-source. So, on the basis of this parameter, both these frameworks win over each other.

---

Final words

So, these were some of the parameters which decided the performance of the Python and PHP along with some stats and facts. Hopefully, after going through all these factors, you must have decided which programming language would be best for your software development.

In a nutshell, it could be said that in most of the parameters, Python could be seen gaining success as it is simple to learn and understand. So, in this case, you are required to come into contact with a good python development company in India to make your project successful.