Updated 20-Dec-2025
I like PHP and have used it (nominally) for a long time, mainly for the web (WordPress).
- It is a nice part of a backend stack including some flavor of SQL (such as MariaDB, SQLite -- the most widely deployed database).
- It plays well with FPS operating with a web server (I use Nginx).
- However, it is indisputably handicapped when it comes to modern capabilities and actual use. Python kicks its ass, but of course Python has version and dependency hell which is only rivaled by Ruby. Both should be in the dustbin of history, but here we are.
But really we have to talk about applications, or frameworks when dealing with this.
PHP Web frameworks
- For development, CodeIgniter is still quite performant.
PHP and Go:
- https://dunglas.dev/2025/09/the-best-of-both-worlds-go-powered-grpc-for-your-php-and-api-platform-apps/
- https://chrastecky.dev/programming/go-meets-php-enhancing-your-php-applications-with-go-via-ffi
- https://github.com/deuill/go-php
Codeigniter PHP framework
- vs. Laraval, Symfony
- https://dev.to/suraj_kumar_fb57ae0928df2/codeigniter-tutorial-a-beginners-guide-to-php-framework-development-5ce7
PHP and ML / AI
- https://medium.com/@annxsa
- https://medium.com/@annxsa/php-and-machine-learning-seamless-integration-with-python-ml-tools-accf1446864d