Is PHP Still Worth Using? Modern PHP Explained

The short answer

PHP is still relevant. It powers a large share of websites on the internet, largely thanks to WordPress but not only. The language has changed a lot in recent years: PHP 8 and later versions have little in common with the PHP 5 of old "spaghetti code" jokes. For typical web products such as websites, online stores, CRMs and APIs, it is a mature and practical choice.

What modern PHP offers

• Types. Typed parameters, return values and class properties, union types, mixed, never. declare(strict_types=1) forbids implicit conversions.
• Enums. Proper enumerations instead of a pile of string constants.
• Readonly properties and classes. Handy for immutable value objects.
• Attributes. Metadata in code instead of annotations in comments, used by frameworks for routing, validation and ORM mapping.
• Named arguments and match. Code becomes shorter and clearer.
• A JIT compiler. It speeds up CPU-heavy code. For ordinary web requests, where time goes to the database and network, the effect is smaller; OPcache, which caches compiled code, matters more.

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

enum Status: string {
    case New = 'new';
    case Paid = 'paid';
}

final class Order {
    public function __construct(
        public readonly int $id,
        public readonly Status $status,
    ) {}
}

$order = new Order(id: 42, status: Status::Paid);

echo match ($order->status) {
    Status::New  => 'Awaiting payment',
    Status::Paid => 'Paid',
};

The ecosystem: Laravel and Symfony

Around them you get Composer for dependencies, PHPStan and Psalm for static analysis, and PHPUnit and Pest for testing. For long-running processes and high load there are Laravel Octane, RoadRunner, FrankenPHP and Swoole.

PHP's strengths

• A fast start for web projects. Authentication, queues, mail and migrations are all in the frameworks.
• Cheap, simple hosting. PHP is supported almost everywhere.
• The request-response model. Each request is isolated, so memory leaks rarely accumulate.
• A large developer market, including in Uzbekistan and the CIS.
• CMS and e-commerce: WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, Bitrix and others.

When another language is a better choice

• Real-time and many persistent connections (chats, games, streaming): Node.js, Go or Elixir feel more natural.
• Machine learning and data analysis: Python.
• High-load network services and infrastructure: Go or Rust.
• Mobile and desktop apps: PHP is not used there.
• Your team is already strong in another stack: switching languages for fashion does not pay off.

Common mistakes

• Judging PHP by old code written without types or frameworks.
• Staying on an unsupported PHP version, which is a security risk. Check the support timelines on php.net.
• Skipping static analysis and tests, even though the tools are mature.