Is PHP Going to Die in 2024? An Analysis

Is PHP Going to Die in 2024? An Analysis 🐘💀

In an increasingly dynamic scenario filled with technological innovations, the crucial question arises: will PHP remain relevant in 2024? This is a reflection that I intend to address in this article, exploring not only the trajectory of this programming language but also sharing my perspective on its ongoing significance.

A Personal Journey in Programming

My journey in programming is undoubtedly a common narrative. Like many, I faced the initial challenges when entering the coding universe. The lack of preparation from academic education for the real challenges of the job market is a recurring theme. I remember the days in college where web technologies, essential for contemporary programming, were poorly addressed. The most we managed to explore was a brief introduction to JSP (Java Server Pages), a legacy and complex technology.

PHP: A Necessary and Accessible Tool 🪛 

Nevertheless, I emphasize the importance of PHP amid this challenging scenario. While many languages require mastery of frameworks and a considerable amount of knowledge, PHP stands out for its simplicity and accessibility. This language allows for putting a webpage online within minutes, without the need to master an extensive set of frameworks.

When starting my journey in web development, I chose PHP as a starting point. The ability to instantly see results encouraged my learning. Although I have expanded my range of technologies and now work with Node.js on the backend, I maintain a unique affinity with PHP. Its straightforward and efficient approach continues to be a valuable choice in my repertoire.

The Mythical "Decline" of PHP 📉

Many voices in the technological community proclaim the imminent demise of PHP, arguing that newer languages are taking over the market. However, it is crucial to note that these criticisms often come from individuals who have never truly explored the nuances and advantages of PHP.

Far from being obsolete, PHP offers a host of benefits that go unnoticed by many. Its ease of learning, coupled with the ability to kickstart projects quickly, remains an undeniable advantage. Many criticisms arise more as a result of stereotypes than a profound understanding of the language.

Ease vs. Amateurism: A Dilemma

A striking feature of PHP is its accessibility, allowing even beginners to quickly create websites. However, this ease has also given rise to the development of projects of questionable quality, marked by amateurism. Workarounds and vulnerabilities have become common, unfairly tarnishing the language's reputation.

It is crucial to understand that these issues do not stem from the language itself but rather from the improper use by some developers. The freedom provided by PHP can be a double-edged sword, emphasizing the importance of a solid education and responsible development practices.

Long Journey from Version 5 to 7🛣️

The second critical point in the history of PHP involves the management during the transitions from version 5 to 7. A period of over 10 years between these updates posed significant challenges. The narrative around version 6, initially promising, resulted in strain for the language.

Version 5 of PHP was released in July 2004, bringing substantial improvements over version 4. It introduced crucial features such as the Zend engine, better memory management, and more robust support for object-oriented programming. These enhancements solidified PHP's position as a reliable web programming language.

Version 6 of PHP was initially planned to be a significant evolution. Its proposal included improvements in multibyte character handling, native support for Unicode, and fundamental changes in the type system. However, the development of version 6 encountered a series of challenges. Philosophical disagreements about the implementation of specific features and a lack of consensus led to significant delays. Eventually, these complications resulted in the decision to abandon version 6.

Faced with difficulties in version 6, the PHP community made a crucial decision. Instead of trying to fix the existing problems, they chose to make a direct leap to version 7, released in December 2015. Version 7 introduced substantial improvements in performance, reduced memory consumption, and the inclusion of modern features.

The Future of PHP: An Optimistic Perspective 😃

Answering the central question of this article, I firmly believe that PHP will not meet its end in 2024. Despite criticisms and pessimistic predictions, PHP continues to be a viable choice for various web projects. Even considering the evolution of the technological landscape, where new languages and frameworks constantly emerge, PHP remains relevant. Its solid presence in legacy projects and the ongoing need for maintenance ensure its longevity. A practical example of this is the current role of jQuery, once prominent, now relegated to older projects but still requiring attention.