Drupal Developer with PHP Salary in 2024

Where is PHP used?

WordPress: The Website Warlock

• Once upon a byte, PHP conjured WordPress, the magical platform where websites spring to life with a couple of clicks.

Facebook: The Social Spellcaster

• Believe it or not, the social giant Facebook began its journey swiping right to PHP, casting status and friend request spells.

MailChimp: The Email Enchanter

• In the mystical land of email marketing, PHP brews the potion of communication in the cauldrons of MailChimp.

Wikipedia: The Digital Oracle

• Guardian of knowledge, Wikipedia, trusts PHP to uphold its vast library of secrets, always ready for your curious incantations.

PHP Alternatives

Node.js

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that allows developers to execute JavaScript code server-side, making it possible to use JavaScript for full-stack development.

// Simple Node.js server
const http = require('http');
const hostname = '127.0.0.1';
const port = 3000;

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.statusCode = 200;
  res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
  res.end('Hello World\n');
});

server.listen(port, hostname, () => {
  console.log(`Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/`);
});

• Non-blocking I/O enables high throughput


• Unified programming language (JavaScript) for client and server side


• Vast npm ecosystem with numerous packages


• Callback-heavy "hell" can lead to complex code


• Heavy computational tasks can block the event loop


• API is not as stable as in more mature back-end languages

Python with Django

Django is a high-level Python Web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. It's known for its ease of use and a "batteries-included" philosophy.

# Simple Django view
from django.http import HttpResponse

def index(request):
    return HttpResponse("Hello, world. You're at the polls index.")

• High-level framework streamlines web development


• Strong emphasis on reusability and "pluggability" of components


• ORM for database abstraction


• Can be slower for performance-intensive tasks


• Monolithic framework can be overkill for small projects


• URL routing can be tricky for beginners

Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails, or just Rails, is a server-side web application framework written in Ruby under the MIT License. Rails is a model-view-controller (MVC) framework, providing default structures for a database, a web service, and web pages.

# Simple Rails controller
class WelcomeController < ApplicationController
  def index
    render html: "Hello, world!"
  end
end

• Convention over configuration reduces setup time


• Integrated testing tools enhance reliability


• Active community and gem ecosystem


• Can be seen as too magical for beginners


• Boot speed and runtime performance may be slower


• Less favorable for microservice architecture

Quick Facts about PHP

PHP: A Scripting Saga Begins

Picture it: 1994, the interwebs were still a gangly teenager, and along comes Rasmus Lerdorf. This guy wasn't planning to change the digital world, mind you — he just wanted to track visits to his online resume (talk about self-promotion!). Thus, he birthed "Personal Home Page/Forms Interpreter" or PHP/FI. Who knew that his little script baby would grow up to power a huge chunk of the web, including a juggernaut we call Facebook?

Version Schmersion: PHP Evolves

Fast forward a bit, and PHP's hitting version milestones faster than a toddler learns new words. PHP 3 comes out in 1997, and suddenly everyone's like, "Wait, we can use this for serious stuff?" Then the pivotal PHP 4 arrives in 2000 with the Zend Engine strapped to its back, giving it a nitro boost in speed and reliability. The weird part? Each major version seems to hang around longer than those leftovers in the back of your fridge. I'm looking at you, PHP 5.

From Rasmus with Love: PHP's Handy Gift to Coders

<?php
  // PHP letting you slip in and out of HTML like a ninja
  echo "<p>Hello, sneakily embedded code!</p>";
?>

This right here is a slice of PHP's party trick — seamlessly jumping in and out of HTML. Early on, Rasmus gifted programmers something akin to a Swiss Army knife in web development. You could churn out dynamic web pages without breaking a sweat. Crank out an echo statement here, mix in some HTML there, and voilà! You've got yourself a website that does the cha-cha.

What is the difference between Junior, Middle, Senior and Expert PHP developer?

Top 10 PHP Related Tech

1. 
   

   Plain Old PHP

   
   

   
   Kicking it off with the grandmaster of backend shenanigans, PHP itself. It's like that old pair of jeans you can’t seem to throw out – it always gets the job done, even if it's not the flashiest in the drawer. PHP continues its reign by powering a substantial chunk of the web, including that one site you swear you only use for cat videos. Remember, semicolons are your best pals here; forget them, and your code will throw more tantrums than a toddler denied candy.
   

   
   

   
   <?php
   echo "Hello, World!";
   ?>
           

   
   


2. 
   

   Laravel

   
   

   
   Laravel is like a Swiss Army knife for web developers – a tool that’s ready to save the day when you need elegant solutions to complex problems. It's a full-stack framework that brings PHP development into the modern age with an expressive syntax that's music to a coder's ears. Plus, it's got your back with built-in features for security, mail, and even broadcasting events. Artisan Console is its trusty sidekick, automating your repetitive tasks so you can instead focus on inventing a coffee cup that never lets your drink go cold.
   

   
   

   
   Route::get('/', function () {
       return view('welcome');
   });
           

   
   


3. 
   

   Composer

   
   

   
   Composer is the magical package manager for PHP that will manage your project's dependencies so you don't have to. Think of it as a personal shopping assistant that not only knows exactly what your project craves but also remembers to check for updates at the checkout. It'll pull in all the necessary libraries while you kick back and bask in the glory of optimized autoloaders.
   

   
   

   
   composer require vendor/package
           

   
   


4. 
   

   Symfony

   
   

   
   Step aside, Marvel Cinematic Universe; the real hero in town is Symfony with its collection of reusable PHP components. This framework is all the rage for developers who like to mix and match – delivering a tailored experience for your web project. Batten down the hatches and prepare for a stampede of features including Twig, a templating engine so sleek, your HTML will be donning a tuxedo.
   

   
   

   
   $this->render('hello.html.twig', ['name' => 'Fabien']);
           

   
   


5. 
   

   PHPUnit

   
   

   
   They say you should never trust a skinny chef or an untested application. PHPUnit is like your code’s personal fitness trainer, pushing it to the limits and ensuring your PHP muscles flex without a glitch in sight. Write tests to catch those sneaky bugs before they catch you because debugging at 3 AM is as fun as stepping on LEGOs without shoes.
   

   
   

   
   class StackTest extends TestCase
   {
       public function testPushAndPop()
       {
           // Your test code here
       }
   }
           

   
   


6. 
   

   Xdebug

   
   

   
   Xdebug is the Sherlock Holmes of PHP debugging, giving you the eagle eyes to spot the 'whodunnits' in your code. This powerful extension allows you to step through your code meticulously, like a cat stalking its laser-pointed prey, and unearth the most elusive of bugs like a truffle pig in a French orchard.
   

   
   


7. 
   

   PHPStorm

   
   

   
   Forget Thor's hammer or Wonder Woman's lasso – PHPStorm is the ultimate weapon for PHP developers. It's an IDE that understands your code better than you understand the plot of "Inception." Autocomplete, refactoring, and a debug mode so potent, you may find yourself developing feelings of affection towards your IDE.
   

   
   


8. 
   

   Git

   
   

   
   Git is not strictly PHP, but that doesn't stop it from being the time-traveling DeLorean for your code. This version control system lets you hop between different versions of your project faster than Marty McFly can say "Great Scott!" Your "oopsie-daisy" moments just turned into "no problemo!" with the ability to branch, merge, and commit faster than a speeding bullet.
   

   
   

   
   git commit -m "Fixed the flux capacitor"
           

   
   


9. 
   

   APIs Galore

   
   

   
   Need to fetch data like a golden retriever after a tennis ball? APIs are your best buddy. Guzzle – an extensible PHP HTTP client – makes sending requests and wrangling responses as joyful as a walk in the park. Pair it with RESTful APIs, and you'll be exchanging data like Pokémon cards in a schoolyard.
   

   
   


10. 
    

    Docker

    
    

    
    Docker is like the Tupperware for your app – a container system that keeps everything neat, tidy, and fresh. No more "works on my machine" excuses! Package up your environment into neat little containers that can be shipped and run anywhere, from the tempestuous seas of testing to the tranquil waters of production.