In this article, we will be sharing the 13 best PHP projects in 2024 with their source code. Despite the prevalence of JavaScript, PHP continues to power the server side of more than 75% of websites, including major players like WordPress, Facebook, and Wikipedia. This might come as a surprise, but PHP remains popular among professional web developers due to its mature ecosystem and large community. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, learning PHP through building projects is one of the best ways to enhance your skillset and portfolio. Moreover, considering that web developers earn a median annual salary of over $85,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, building PHP projects can be highly rewarding for your career. So, if you’re ready, let’s explore the best PHP projects that can take your web development career to the next level.
What Is PHP?
Simply put, PHP is an open-source and general-purpose scripting language used for developing web apps and websites. It was initially created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994 to monitor traffic on his Personal Home Page (PHP) and was released in 1995. PHP has gained a reputation as an easy-to-learn and open-source language. While there are various PHP alternatives, PHP maintains a dedicated community of developers. In fact, without PHP developers, popular PHP-based CMS options like WordPress might not exist. WordPress has revolutionized website creation for those who prefer not to code, and its disappearance would not be well-received. One of the distinguishing features of PHP programming is that the code is executed on the server side before being returned to the client browser. This means that the client can only see the result of the PHP code execution, not the actual PHP source code. You can verify this by using your browser’s dev tools to inspect the source code of a PHP page. You will see HTML and JavaScript, but no PHP code. This concept amazed me when I first started learning PHP, as I had previously worked with static content using HTML and CSS. However, this is not the only advantage of using PHP. Let’s explore some other benefits.
Fast, efficient, and secure
Easily embedded within HTML files
Runs on both mobile and desktop/laptop devices
Implements hashing techniques for user data encryption
Can be used to build desktop applications
A wide range of PHP frameworks available for faster development
Connects to databases for data access, updates, and modifications
What Kind of Projects Is PHP Used For?
PHP is most commonly used by web developers to create interactive websites and web applications. However, it can also be easily embedded within HTML, making static websites more dynamic and interactive. This extends to full-stack web applications that interact with databases. Some of the most well-known projects built with PHP include content management systems like WordPress and e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce. PHP has also been used for creating user forums, learning management systems, social networking platforms (such as Facebook), and APIs. With recent enhancements and contributions from an active community, PHP has become a versatile choice for a wide range of web projects, as you will see below.
Is PHP Good for Large Projects?
PHP is suitable for large projects, especially when combined with robust frameworks like Laravel or Symfony. As long as the project is designed with proper software development practices and built with appropriate infrastructure, PHP applications can effectively handle high traffic and complexity. This is particularly true for newer versions like PHP 8, which are highly scalable. However, there may be challenges with legacy code and inconsistencies in older PHP versions. This is partly why PHP may not have the same reputation as JavaScript. Nevertheless, these issues are mostly irrelevant if you are using a newer version of PHP. Additionally, the extensive PHP community provides numerous resources and support. The adoption of PHP by major tech companies like WordPress, Facebook, and Wikipedia further demonstrates its suitability for large projects.
Is PHP Better Than JavaScript?
Comparing PHP and JavaScript is like comparing apples and oranges. While both are used for web development, they serve different purposes and operate in different environments. However, if you’re new to web development, you may have come across this question before. So, let’s briefly discuss this.
Although it may be a controversial opinion, there are scenarios where PHP is better than JavaScript. JavaScript has been the most popular language on Stack Overflow for over a decade, but PHP has its strengths. Here are four areas where PHP shines:
1. Server-side: PHP is primarily a server-side language, while JavaScript was originally designed for client-side use. Although JavaScript can now be run on servers with Node.js, PHP’s server-side capabilities are more mature and well-established.
2. Integration with SQL Databases: PHP has a strong history of integration with SQL databases, especially MySQL. This makes it a great choice for web applications that need to interact with databases.
3. Hosting: Almost all web hosting services offer built-in support for PHP, making it easy to deploy PHP-based applications.
4. Maturity: PHP has been around since the mid-90s and has a vast ecosystem, extensive libraries, and a large community. This long history has resulted in abundant documentation, tools, and resources.
Don’t get me wrong, I love JavaScript, and I highly recommend learning it for web development. JavaScript certainly has its own advantages over PHP. However, it sometimes feels like PHP has been overlooked in the new world of MEAN and MERN development. So, the next time you hear someone claim that JavaScript can do it all, remember that PHP is also capable of a lot, and in many cases, it may even outperform JavaScript. With that said, let’s move on to some PHP projects!
PHP Projects for Beginners
If you’re just starting out with PHP and looking to expand your skills and portfolio, beginner projects are a great way to begin. These projects are especially helpful if you’re taking a PHP course and want to showcase your abilities during interviews. Here are two beginner-friendly PHP projects:
1. Chatbot for College Students
Download Source Code
This project allows you to build a Chatbot web application that responds to common messages and queries from college students using AI. It’s a great way to demonstrate your skills in PHP during interviews. The Chatbot analyzes student queries and provides the most appropriate answers. If a student finds the answer insufficient, they can provide feedback. You can use this feedback to update the Chatbot’s knowledge base for that particular query. This project also allows you to host the Chatbot web app on the cloud using AWS, GCP, or a managed hosting provider. Check their prices to find a suitable solution for your project portfolio and showcase your PHP project to the world.
2. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System
Download Source Code
Any business with customers needs a CRM system to manage customer data and interactions. This PHP project offers a practical real-world use case, making it a valuable addition to your portfolio. The project involves interacting with open-source tools, specifically SuiteCRM. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn how to create forms for logging in, adding customer details, and tracking customer interactions.
Remember, as a beginner, it’s essential to start with manageable projects that allow you to learn and grow your skills gradually. These beginner projects will provide you with a solid foundation in PHP development.
Conclusion
PHP continues to be a popular choice for web development, despite the rise of JavaScript. Its mature ecosystem, extensive community, and successful projects like WordPress, Facebook, and Wikipedia contribute to its ongoing relevance. PHP projects are valuable for both beginners and experienced developers, providing opportunities to learn and enhance your web development skills. Whether you’re pursuing a career in web development or looking to improve your portfolio, PHP projects can be rewarding and beneficial for your professional growth. So, don’t hesitate to explore the best PHP projects and take your web development career to the next level in 2024.
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