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We write Javascript all day long but PHP wins on backend

Hello, fellow web enthusiasts! Today, we @ evotik dive into a hot topic that gets lots of folks talking: the big battle between JavaScript and PHP for the throne of backend development. We all know JavaScript is a superstar for making websites look cool and interactive. It's like the life of the party in web development, making sure users have a fun time clicking around. But when we peek behind the curtain to see who's managing the show, PHP, especially with its buddy Laravel, steals the spotlight.

JavaScript: The Cool Kid on the Block

JavaScript is everywhere on the front end, making web pages lively and responsive. It's like magic; with a snap, your page can change without having to reload! And with tools like React, Angular, and Vue.js, creating cool web apps has never been easier. JavaScript has really upped its game, making web development not just easier, but a lot more fun.

PHP: The Unsung Hero of the Backend

But here's where things get spicy. Despite JavaScript's fame, PHP is the one pulling the heavy weights in the backend. It's the engine running a huge part of the internet, quietly and powerfully. Think about it: big names like Facebook started with PHP. It's been around, proving its worth.

And then comes Laravel, PHP's best friend, making PHP even stronger. Laravel is like a magic wand that sorts all the complex stuff, making database work feel like a breeze and keeping your website's back office organized.

The Plot Twist

So, why does PHP, with Laravel's help, often beat JavaScript on the backend? Let's stir the pot a bit:

  1. Speed and Power: PHP has gotten faster over the years, especially with PHP 7. It's like PHP went to the gym and came back stronger than ever. Laravel makes sure PHP runs like a well-oiled machine, ready to take on loads of web traffic.

  2. Easy to Get Going: PHP is like the friendly neighbor that's everywhere. Almost all web hosts love PHP, making it super easy to set up and get your site running. It's like playing on easy mode.

  3. A Community That Cares: PHP and Laravel have a huge family of developers always ready to help. Got a problem? Someone's probably solved it and written about it. This community makes working with PHP and Laravel feel like you're part of a big, supportive team.

A Little Controversy

Now, for a pinch of controversy: Some folks say JavaScript is the future, with Node.js taking over the backend too. "JavaScript everywhere," they say. But let's not count PHP out. It's been the backbone of the web for years, and with Laravel, it's not going anywhere.

PHP's not just surviving; it's thriving. And for many of us, it's the go-to for serious backend work. Yes, JavaScript is awesome and does a lot of things well. But when it comes to the heavy lifting on the server side, PHP, especially with Laravel, is hard to beat.

Your Turn

So, what do you think? Is PHP with Laravel the unsung hero of the backend, or is JavaScript ready to take over? It's a debate that keeps the web dev community buzzing. Let's chat in the comments. What's been your experience? Any PHP or JavaScript stories to share?

Remember, whether you're team PHP or team JavaScript, what matters most is building amazing stuff on the web. Let's keep the conversation going and the web development community vibrant and inclusive. Happy coding!

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Top comments (2)

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darkwiiplayer profile image
𒎏Wii 🏳️‍⚧️

PHP has the clear advantage for simple stuff: In its most basic use-cases, it is essentially glorified string interpolation, and from there it can grow gradually.

Nowadays, we live in a world where websites no longer go through the html -> html+ssr -> html+php -> php -> php+framework pipeline, and usually just start at the stage where the HTML is rendered through a framework, be that on the server or the client.

In this new arena, PHP is just another language, with its legacy as "the" first back-end language only being relevant in shaping its image and because of the head start it got. So the question is, does it have enough merit as a programming language in general to not just wither away as the world forgets its early fame?

Personally, I think it's a fairly horrible language, and would only ever use it if for nostalgia reasons I wanted to build a LAMP application. At that point, I'd probably throw in some jQuery as well.

But hey, my back-end language of choice is Lua, so if that doesn't prove that personal taste plays a role in this matter, then I don't know what does.

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evotik profile image
Evotik

I ve been full stack for 8 years now, first time I hear about Lua, as you said personal taste plays a big role