Comparison of PHP to Python

If you use a computer, It's very likely that you use both the Python and PHP programming languages without realizing it.

Two of computing's most popular programming languages are PHP and Python. PHP is specifically suited for Web-based applications and allows a website's end users to interact with the server. Python is a more general language and is in use in virtually all aspects of computing, including software development, security and database management.

PHP Overview

PHP derives its name from its intended purpose. The acronym PHP first stood for Personal Home Page. The PHP programming language's primary purpose is to add functionality to Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) documents, which are the backbone of Web pages, and it is therefore called "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor," or PHP. PHP allows an otherwise static Web page to interact with the server to add functionality to the page. Some PHP scripts allow users to enter data to be stored in databases and to retrieve previously stored data.

Python Overview

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language used in a variety of applications including software development, hardware control and Web applications. Python consists of hundreds of pre-written modules that can work together to create complex programs quickly. Python is easy to write and read, and it interacts well with other programming languages, making it one of the most prolific languages in computing. Some common applications that use Python are the Google search engine and popular programs such as BitTorrent and Dropbox.

Similarities

Both Python and PHP function across multiple platforms easily. In the case of PHP, this is especially true since it's a server-side script. This means the actual script runs on the server, and the end user's operating system isn't involved. Both languages are open-source platforms, meaning you can download and use them for free. Both languages also offer premium versions better suited for specific tasks. Python and PHP both function well for Web development, though PHP is usually the preferred language since it was developed especially for Web applications.

Differences

Python is a multi-purpose programming language that allows programmers to develop programs using object-oriented, aspect-oriented, functional or structured programming paradigms, depending on which one is best suited for the job at hand. PHP is less flexible in this manner, which relegates it mostly to Web applications. The actual syntax used to write the language varies greatly between the two. Python was specifically developed to mimic human language for simplicity. Python's syntax also makes it easy to modify and add to previously written programs. PHP uses more complex syntax, which both makes it less friendly to develop and less flexible when it comes to adding on to or modifying the original programs.

References

• Python: About Python
• PHP: FAQ: General Information