When we talk about web development, one of the main programming languages that involves this procedure always comes up: JavaScript or PHP. We are talking about two languages used for the development of different parts of a web application, but which, for those who are not very familiar with it, can generate confusion regarding their applications.
While one is used to give dynamism to the page, adding interactivity and aesthetic qualities, the other is used on the server side, being the language responsible for adding functionality to the pages, transforming them into web applications. In this post, we’ll get to know what are JavaScript and PHP languages, their characteristics and differences.
Would you like to know a little more about the advantages of using these languages? Check it out!
What are the characteristics of the PHP language?
PHP is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, besides being the basis of Most used CMS, WordPress, of its plugins and widgets. It is a language that allows the transformation of a website into a web application, adding dynamism and functions to the elements present on the page.
Because it is a scripting language, PHP is almost always used together with HTML, the language responsible for structuring websites. The interaction between PHP and JavaScript happens when the developer inserts PHP code inside HTML code.
This can be done to give function to a button, or to provide a basis for a form, allow access to the database etc. PHP is executed when we access the Internet, as the browser sends a request to the server, which sends the code related to the front-end to the browser, which forms the image seen on the screen.
What are the main features of JavaScript?
While PHP is a language that runs on the server side, JavaScript is focused on the client side, that is, the interface from the website. With this language, you can control HTML and CSS, to add interactivity and dynamism to the page.
For example, when you access a page and it brings up an interactive image gallery, JavaScript is from behind. When you hover over a menu item and a submenu appears, we have JavaScript working again.
Understand the origin of JavaScript
Contrary to what many people think, JavaScript was not created by the W3C, but by a developer named Brendan Eich, at Netscape. The first name given to the language was LiveScript, but soon it was changed, as a marketing strategy, to JavaScript — a clear reference to the Java language, one of the most relevant at the time.
Currently, the language is maintained by ECMA — the European Computer Manufacturer’s Association — which changed the language’s official name to ECMAScript, which did not catch on among development professionals (we all keep calling it JavaScript).
What are the main differences between PHP and JavaScript?
To talk about the differences between PHP and JavaScript, we have to remember that web development has a peculiarity in relation to the traditional one — focused on desktop programming , which is the difference between client and server.
Central machine
For a website to be online, there will always be a need to a central machine (the Server) and the computers that will make the connection between it and the clients.
PHP is a development environment server-oriented development, that is, the code is only run on the hosting server. JavaScript is run in the clients’ browser, that is, it helps to form the image you see on your computer or smartphone screen.
Purpose
We can say that PHP is a language created for the execution of services, since the JavaScript language was born with the focus on delivering greater interactivity to the page.
Contrary to what many people think, there is no need to choose between PHP and JavaScript, as the two can be used together when developing your page, adding to the HTML and CSS.
How they are structured the layers that make up a website?
Web development is elaborated and structured in layers, 4 of which are the basic ones: the structuring and basis of the website is up to the HTML, the style and formatting is up to CSS, behavior is up to JavaScript and the addition of server-side functionality is up to PHP.
HTML is the markup language and, as its name suggests. suggests, indicates that More are the elements present on the page and the location of each one. In a simplified way, we can say that HTML is the foundation of a page.
On the other hand, CSS is the style language, which serves to format the HTML elements. It is with this language that the page gains colors, transitions, effects and stylized fonts. The language has been growing exponentially and some functions that were exclusive to JavaScript, such as the creation of retractable menus, are now being created only with CSS codes.
See how PHP and JavaScript work different roles
JavaScript handles the other two languages, HTML and CSS, adding interactivity, for example, creating functions that allow the use of a dynamic image gallery on a website. All the movement buttons, like the little arrows to change photos, are developed with JavaScript. PHP gains strength with WordPress and its plugins.
The JavaScript language is in full evolution, with a huge community of contributors, which helps in the development of the language. Currently, it is already possible to create a web application from start to finish with just JavaScript, working on the front and back-end thanks to libraries and interpreters, such as Node JS.
What are the advantages of Javascript?
This programming language works on the machines where it is accessed by users. It is very important and many Information Technology professionals need to use it in their routines. See below the main benefits from the use of Javascript and understand some more relevant details about the topic!
Browser Control
The JavaScript programming language is advantageous because it allows the user to manage browser behavior. The benefit exists by virtue of the interpreter that exists in the browser. Therefore, Internet users can have an excellent experience when accessing the pages and performing actions through the World Wide Web.
Insertion of effects
JavaScript is a programming language widely used by IT professionals. But this tool can also be used by lay people who have no experience in the subject. Learning is quite simple and can be obtained by anyone interested in acquiring it to carry out their activities.
Wide use
JavaScript is a programming language widely used by IT professionals. But this tool can also be used by lay people who have no experience in the subject. Learning is quite simple and can be obtained by anyone interested in acquiring it to perform their activities.
Ease of use
Ease of use is a point that seems obvious to many professionals, especially for those new to programming. JavaScript is one of the easiest languages to use or a very simple way to learn quickly. The more experienced know that this is a great opportunity to develop valuable skills.
Excellence in performance
Excellence in performance is another aspect of JavaScript, which is characterized by the non-blocking, single-threaded, event-driven style of I/O execution. The model is guaranteed by clustering nodes and looping events, while the asynchronous nature of Node.js allows for simultaneous code execution.
Great frameworks
JavaScript programming has the feature of extensibility, since it is possible to combine it with XML, HTML and Ajax. Their frameworks are very good and countless due to the continuous emergence of new options. The programmer can use the popular front-end JS technologies like React, Angular and Vue, which are very popular.
Node.js is purchased with the Node Package Manager (NPM) that comes pre -installed. It is the most common server-side framework, as it facilitates the work of professionals in addition to being a world-renowned software registry. The framework chosen by the user defines the performance, development cost, speed and other qualities of the applications.
What are the advantages of PHP?
Another language well known by professionals who work with the Internet is PHP. The reasons for its popularity are the benefits it brings to users. Observe the following topics and discover the advantages of this programming model that has been on the market for a few years because it is extremely useful to developers!
Easy learning
An advantage of using the PHP language is the ease it offers for those who want to build websites on the web. Learning is fast and this is one of the reasons for the popularity of this programming model. With it, the programmer has access to materials made available by specialists in various portals, handouts, tutorials and smaller articles.
Open source
PHP is an open source language. As a result, it can be used by professionals who choose to work as freelance programmers. This is very common in IT and IT, as the market is highly competitive. Professionals can develop programs using existing options without facing legal problems.
Amount of data
The PHP language allows that pages perform the necessary actions even if they have a considerable volume of data and many visual details. An interesting example is the sales sites that must offer Internet users a good experience so that they remain interested in the brand, make new visits and buy again.
Compatibility
The PHP model is commonly used because it brings many benefits to developers, such as good performance, accessibility, ease of use, etc. There are databases that organize and store website information in a secure and grouped web structure. This programming language has good compatibility with Sybase, MySQL and Oracle.
Popularity
Popularity is an important benefit, having since community support is crucial to a successful language. The more a type of programming is appreciated by industry professionals, the more information will be available on the Internet. This favors the learning of Internet users who are looking to acquire new knowledge and skills.
The characteristic of popularity is essential for beginners who want to excel in creating programs. About PHP, it is possible to find a multitude of tips, guides and tutorials that teach the Internet user to take the first steps with this programming language. You will be able to access specific and appropriate content.
Stability
PHP is distinct from JavaScript because it is synchronous. This is a programming model whose aspects involve a blocking multithreaded I/O execution style. Initially, it is necessary to execute the first line of code, and then proceed to the second line, so the build is slower, however, more stable and quite reliable.
Availability of CMSs
An interesting detail is that PHP can only be combined with HTML, but it has the benefit of the availability of CMSs like Drupal or WordPress. The solutions make web development easier and cheaper. This programming language can also be extended with server solutions like PostgreSQL, MySQL or any LAMP stack technology.
If you are trying to understand what LAMP means, know that it is a combination of open source and free to use software. The acronym refers to the following terms: L inux, Apache, MariaDB or MySQL and PHP or Python. The package managers are Composer and the PHP Extension and Application Repository (PEAR)
Structured Library
Composer is a solution dependency management for the PHP language, while PEAR is an open source structured library. If your desire is to become a full stack professional, who masters both the client and server side, choose to work with JS. If you prefer to customize WordPress elements, invest in PHP.
As we have seen in this post, the choice between JavaScript or PHP is not always necessary, as we are talking about programming languages that complement each other in structuring a web application. Although it is now possible to work with JavaScript on the server side, PHP is still the most popular language for this type of development.
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