9 PHP Tips For New And Experienced Programmers

With about 20 million domains, several popular websites, and some of the biggest open source projects using PHP, it is currently the most popular web development language out there.

First created in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf, PHP is an open-source server-side programming language that is widely used in the Kuwait web development industry. It is every developer’s go-to. Open-source means that the programme is open to the public and can be modified by users to suit their individual needs. Server-side means that the code is executed on the server. So, even though the client would receive the results of running the code, they would have no idea what the actual code is. These factors contribute towards making PHP flexible, scalable, and safe.

However, the best part about using PHP is its versatility. It is simple and easy to learn for novice developers but also offers a long list of advanced features for professional programmers and Kuwait web development firms. That said, dipping your feet into any new programming language can be a little daunting. And being a good web developer definitely entails developing a strong PHP structure. To help newcomers as well as experienced developers improve their programming skills, we have put down a few tips and tricks that can be implemented right away.

1. Know Your OOPs

   PHP follows Object-Oriented Programming. OOP is a programming model that focuses on the objects programmers wish to manipulate rather than the logic required to manipulate them. This model works best for programs that are large and complex and those that involve manufacturing and design, which includes mobile applications as well. The design eliminates repetition of code and supports code reusability. It is easier to debug, uses lesser server resources, and loads faster.

2. Do a rough Sketch

   Once you have a good understanding of your project, you should begin by creating a wireframe that illustrates your coding goals and how you will accomplish them. Making a rough sketch of your plan will allow you to see any potential problems in advance, which you can try to solve until you have a systematic plan in place. If you were to directly begin coding, it is likely you would encounter bigger obstacles later on that would be harder to solve.

3. Use PHP Core Functions

   There are myriads of PHP functions and classes to take advantage of. If you’re trying to do something that is pretty common, make sure to check the PHP manual before you start creating your own functions. For instance, there is an existing function “trim()” for getting rid of the white spaces at the beginning and end of strings. There’s also a function for counting the number of keys in an array. So use built in functions to make the coding process easier and speedier.

4. Create a Master File

   Using a configuration file that contains all your database connection settings is a popular web application technique that makes your code more modular aka easy to maintain. Instead of having your settings scattered everywhere, you can integrate this master file into your PHP scripts and modify details if need be without having to hunt through several files. This is especially helpful when you intend to use other functions throughout multiple scripts.

5. Sanitize the Data

   Before you even begin your PHP project, you should be using the mysl_real_escape_string() for all databases. Doing this will keep you secure from unwanted threats and malicious codes. SQL injections (unverified user input vulnerabilities), XSS, and CSRF are very common. Sanitizing your database inputs before performing additional calculations and not letting the output escape are the only ways to get rid of them. As a best practice, do not store your database credentials on servers.

6. Utilize a Source Editor

   A good code editor can prove really helpful when writing in PHP. Go for source editors that come with syntax highlighting. This will allow you to pinpoint errors before they happen. Also look for auto-completion features that make it easier to understand the different possibilities at any given time. Other helpful features to look for include code hinting, code navigation, and built-in-debugging. These can really streamline your coding workflow. Ultimately, you want to end up with a code that is clean and easily readable by others.

7. Cache the Database

   A cache is essentially a collection of duplicate data. Whenever an object request is made from the database, it uses disk and network access which creates overheads. When responses are cached, overheads of access can be eliminated and new requests are responded to quickly. It alleviates the need for repetitive work when the same requests are made more than once. If your application is distributed across many servers, you can make use of several database caching options like Memcached.

8. Don’t Over-Comment

   It is good practice to use comments in your scripts to maintain proper documentation of your code. You should even use descriptive names for variables, functions, methods, classes, constants, etc. Afterall, it can become really frustrating if you need to go back to some part of the code in a few months and don’t even remember what’s going on. However, stick to commenting on the complicated parts of your source code instead of commenting on every single line. A good code should mostly be self-explanatory.

9. Connect with Others

   No matter how experienced you are, there will always be someone who knows something that you don’t or someone who can do something better than you. Joining a PHP community like PHPdeveloper will help you connect and interact with others, and in the process, gain knowledge, and learn better techniques of doing the things you currently do.

Despite being created nearly three decades ago, PHP usage is still at an all time high. Though one is bound to encounter obstacles while using any web development technology, these tips can help developers at all levels write and maintain clean and responsive codes. Design Master, one of the top website design and development companies in Kuwait employs trained developers and web designers in Kuwait who have industry expertise in creating a fully functional website with fast performance and a seamless user experience.

Learn more about us at https://www.design-master.com/#Our-Passion and contact us today for a consultation.