Compare PHP vs JavaScript: Choose the Right Technology for Your Project

We all know very well that both “PHP and JavaScript” are the two most popular as well as versatile programming languages used for website development over two decades. Both the languages have evolved from their original releases, impressively maintaining a high echelon of applicability within the ever-changing technological aspect. PHP is the most popular server-side scripting language whereas JavaScript is a client-side scripting language. PHP handles the things which are on the server-side and JavaScript handles things on the browser side without going back to the server-side. Today, you can develop the entire app with JavaScript, both the client-side and server-side. The question is, which programming language should be used today? For that, let us have a look at the main differences between the two languages.

PHP

“PHP” stands for Hypertext Preprocessor that’s used for server-side web development; it means the scripts are only executed on the server that has PHP installed. PHP is an open-source standard with the programming language itself. Due to the open-source nature of PHP, it’s garnered a really large and passionate internet community of PHP web contrivers that have contributed to its success and relevancy. 

JavaScript

“JavaScript” could also be a lightweight, multi-paradigm, high-level, interpreted, or just-in-time-compiled, dynamic programing language. It is a high-level scripting language that’s synchronous with client-side scripting. This versatile language is specially used to make web pages interactive and dynamic. It was at first created to perform client-side functions but is advanced to confer server-side functionalities as well, since the release of Node.js in 2009.

1. PHP vs JavaScript Availability

The main difference between PHP and JavaScript is, it makes the clarity of who possesses the language and who has the authority to make changes to that. PHP is a completely open-source language. So, the source code is available free of cost to the public. It is owned by the Internet community, the changes can be made as per the needs of the community rather than an individual developer. JavaScript may be a non-free open standard program that’s maintained by the W3C and Ecma International. There is multiple support provided by ordinary users in PHP makes it more flexible and more usable among two languages. Thus, availability plays a big role in observing the difference between these two languages. 

2. Simplicity

“Noje.js” is a great addition made in JavaScript but when it comes into use, PHP is much simpler and considered widely than Node.js. To set up the server file, you need to name it “.php” and the file consists of essential code that lies between the < > tags. In addition, it also requires one URL for the particular website and then it is ready to go. A web server like MySQL with PHP installed will be able to interpret the file and display your web page in the browser. But when it comes to Node.js server it usually requires more lines of code; it is not difficult but also not as easy as PHP. It is also important to keep in mind that a developer must know how to use the closure as well as callback functions. 

3. Concurrency

Concurrency means a task cannot be complete until all the threads and sub-threads have finished the processing. Thereby, all the threads begin and end at an equivalent time. PHP includes multi-threaded blocking Input/output to perform multiple tasks simultaneously with a scientific approach. On the opposite hand, in JavaScript, a single-threaded functional script achieves an event-driven model with non-blocking Input/output execution, which ensures everything runs together. 

4. JSON

Web development company understands the concept of JSON. This “JavaScript Object Nation” maybe a lightweight data format. Also, the JavaScript object definition is similar to JSON that makes it better. Developers who work with JavaScript and Node.js have the advantage to work with JSON. While PHP development work with JSON, it is more situational. 

5. Learning Curve

It is seen that it will take less time and effort for a person to learn the syntax and peculiarities of PHP. It will take just a few words of code to get the server up and running. One can easily understand the return values and inconsistencies present in the PHP language. Meanwhile, making Node.js up and running on the server is not a particularly demanding task. For that, a beginner JavaScript developer must have more knowledge than a PHP developer and on the same level, it is important to get the most out of the language.  

So, in JavaScript vs. PHP, it’s recommended that you simply persist with PHP if you either lack the time or the desire to wade through a tougher language. Whereas, if you’ve got time and you’re dedicated enough, it’s recommended that you simply stick with JavaScript because it’ll provide you with a greater return later.