PHP vs JavaScript is scripting languages that a web developer uses. But both languages are used for different purposes. However, JavaScript is a frontend language or Client-side language. On the other hand, PHP language is a Server Side language or Backend language. Comparing both languages is no longer easy because both languages have their benefits and drawbacks.
Many popular websites built on PHP are WordPress, Wikipedia, Tumblr, Slack, and MailChimp.
Many popular websites built on JavaScript are Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Amazon, eBay, and many more.
Let’s look at how these languages came into existence, and then we further move to the next topic.
What is JavaScript?
Table of Contents
JavaScript is an interpreted programming language. Since it was first released, JavaScript has been one of the most used client-side languages. Brendan Eich created it in the year of 1995. Until 2009, JavaScript was only used for client-side, but with the help of frameworks like node.JS, you can also use javascript as a server-side language.
JavaScript has been one of the most popular scripting languages used in web development for over nine years, according to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey held in 2021. However, you are curious about why Javascript has that much popularity. Just because of its features.
Features
- It is a very Light-Weighted language because it has low CPU usage. As a result, over 69% of web developers are now using it as per the Stack Overflow Developer Survey.
- JavaScript is a cross-platform and Open-source Scripting language.
- Versatile language means that it can run on both client-side and server-side.
- Javascript is a very simple and easy language to learn. It is rich in interface and versatile language.
What is PHP?
PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, an open-source scripting language. It is widely used for Server Side language. In 1994 Rasmus Lerdorf created this language. At first, PHP was known as the Personal Home Page. But now, it’s called PHP.
PHP has gained incredible popularity among web developers since it was first released. As a result, this language has been chosen by some major platforms, as mentioned above. Here are some of the basic features of PHP.
Features
- PHP supports multiple databases like MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, etc.
- You can easily access recent logging details and Memory data usage.
- Data loading and data connectivity are also faster in PHP, which helps to enable database management.
- PHP is an integrated language. With that being said, there is no need for compilation.
- It is faster than other server-side languages like JSP, asp.
Basic Similarity Between JavaScript vs PHP
Type of Language
Both Javascript and PHP are Scripting languages used worldwide. Well, Javascript and PHP both are interpreted languages. Both languages translate into machine language via a third party rather than direct.
But let’s compare these two languages with compiled based languages. The compiled one wins in the matter of speed because interpreted language takes more time than compiled-based language.
Demand in the Market
Another common thing between these two scripting languages is that developers for both languages are highly in demand. In the USA, they make roughly around $80,000 annually, as per Glassdoor.com.
Which means they make an average of $30 per hour.
Documentation is not that Good.
Another similarity between both languages is that the documentation is not very beginner-friendly. It is meant for experienced developers rather than inexperienced ones.
You are probably wondering, “What’s the difference between these two scripting languages, JavaScript vs PHP?” There are a lot of differences between both the scripting languages.
KEY DIFFERENCE: PHP vs JavaScript
Learning Curve
PHP is simpler in terms of learning. It is recommended to stick with PHP if you have less time and want to make good progress, whereas Javascript is not that simple, but if you have dedication toward this, then it is crucial to stick with JS as it provides a great return later.
Language Type
Javascript is a client-side/Front End scripting language, whereas PHP is a server-side/Backend scripting language.
Database
Javascript doesn’t support any databases, whereas PHP supports databases like MySQL, MariaDB, Db2, MongoDB, etc.
Combination level
We can use JavaScript with several languages such as HTML, CSS, and so on. As against, PHP can only be executed with PHP and HTML language.
Interchangeability
When we compare JavaScript and PHP, JavaScript supports Objects & Arrays interchangement, whereas PHP doesn’t support Objects & Arrays interchangement.
Execution
The code of Javascript executes within the browser, whereas PHP doesn’t execute their code in the browser.
Case Sensitivity
Case sensitive means the difference between upper case and lower case when naming entities in language.
PHP is partially both case sensitive as well as case insensitive. In PHP, variables are case sensitive, and functions are case insensitive. On the other hand, JavaScript is completely Case sensitive. So variables called “RUNS, Runs, runs” are different from each other.
Syntax
Both the Scripting languages are very different from each other in the aspect of Syntax. At the same time, Syntax is a set of rules that runs the language. Some languages use the same word, but the meaning is different from each other.
Syntax of JavaScript to print Hello World
console.log(‘Hello World’);
Syntax of PHP to print Hello World
<?php
Echo “Hello World”;
?>
JavaScript uses console.log to print any statement. Whereas, PHP uses Echo to print any statement.
Multi-Threading
Javascript does not support the feature of multi-threading, whereas PHP supports Multi-Threading. Multi-Threading enables us to run multiple tasks at the same time.
Constant Definition
Javascript and PHP, both the scripting languages, declare constants differently.
Javascript uses this Syntax to define constant:
Const x = 5;
You can’t change its value later on.
Whereas, PHP uses define() function for constant.
define(name, value, case insensitive)
The first two parameters within the brackets, i.e. “name and value,” are straightforward. Whereas the third one, which is case sensitive, has a default value of false.
What Google Trend Says: PHP vs JavaScript
According to Google Trend, JavaScript has more popularity as compared to PHP. It shows the data for the past five years worldwide.
- JavaScript
- PHP
In this graph, JavaScript is denoted as Blue and PHP is denoted as Red. It shows both languages’ growth and falling trend over the past five years. As you can see, the regional interest of people in javascript and PHP are also highlighted over here. Both scripting languages have up and down in this graph, but JavaScript remains on top of PHP.
JavaScript vs PHP: Tabular Comparison
| JavaScript | PHP |
| Client-Side languages | Server Side languages |
| Combined with many languages. | Only combined with HTML |
| No Multi-Threading | Multi-Threading |
| Javascript is used nearly on all websites. | Used on about 80% of the website. |
| JavaScript is used on frontend (backed is possible due to Node.Js) | Used in Backend |
| Case-Sensitive. | Both Case-Sensitive and Case-Insensitive. (PHP constructs, class names, and function names are case-insensitive, whereas variables in PHP are case-sensitive.) |
| JavaScript code runs faster | On the other hand, PHP code runs fairly slower than JavaScript |
| Less secure code in JavaScript. | Whereas, PHP code is highly secure |
| Javascript executes within the browser. | PHP doesn’t execute their code in the browser. |
This is the end of the comparison series between JavaScript vs PHP.
When to Choose PHP vs JavaScript.
If you are confused about choosing the right scripting language for your project, then, just consider the following point.
Pick PHP when your project covers the topic like:
- Back End techniques.
- Servers like Oracle, Sybase, etc.
- CMS like WordPress, Joomla, etc.
Pick JavaScript when your project covers the topic like:
- Front End techniques.
- Single Page Application.
- Use Server technologies like Node.Js, MongoDB and MySQL, etc
Which is better to get your hands on this year: PHP vs JavaScript
Several factors come into play while determining which is better between JavaScript vs PHP for your project. These factors might include the type of your project, the code library you need, speed may be the crucial factor and many more. Below are some common factors that help you determine what language to choose PHP vs JavaScript.
Final Thoughts
At the very end of this topic, we can say that there is a battle between JavaScript vs PHP. Both languages have their benefits and drawbacks.
Javascript is like a cool kid in the class, whereas PHP is more stable and reliable. But that doesn’t mean which is better or which is worse.
That being said, it totally depends on your need and expertise in choosing a language. Well, no one knows you can pick both programming languages for your project.
If you have enough time to understand a specific language, you can build a massive and delightful website for the users.
That is it for today, Hope you like it!
Also read this..
Top 10 Simple JavaScript Projects For Beginners In 2022