hire PHP developers

PHP software developers from around the world come to work with EPAM Startups & SMBs full-time. Hire PHP web developers with the appropriate expertise in software development, your required years of experience, background, and qualifications to deliver your project on time and within budget.

PHP is a popular server-side scripting language that is widely used for web development. Here are some pros and cons of PHP programming:

Pros:

• Easy to learn: PHP is relatively easy to learn and use, especially for those who have some experience with programming.
• Open-source: PHP is an open-source language, which means that developers can use it for free and access a large community of developers who contribute to it.
• Wide support: PHP is widely supported by web hosting companies and works on most platforms, including Linux, Windows, and macOS.
• Versatility: PHP is a versatile language that can be used for a variety of tasks, including web development, command-line scripting, and desktop applications.

Cons:

• Security: PHP has been criticized for its security vulnerabilities, which can make it more susceptible to attacks and hacking attempts.
• Performance: PHP can be slower than other languages, such as Java and C++, which can impact the performance of websites and applications.
• Inconsistent syntax: The syntax of PHP is inconsistent, which can be confusing for developers. For example, some functions have underscores in their names, while others don't.
• Lack of consistency: PHP has a lack of consistency in function names and parameters, which can make it more difficult to learn and use.

While PHP is easy to learn and has a large community of developers, it may require skilled programmers to use it effectively, and may also have limitations in terms of scalability. If you decide to use PHP for your web application development, it is important to follow best practices and hire PHP programmers with extensive experience to ensure the success of your project.

When it comes to building dynamic and robust web applications, PHP frameworks offer developers the tools and features they need to create scalable and secure applications quickly and easily. With a range of frameworks available, developers can choose the best one that suits their needs, whether it be speed, flexibility, or security.

• Laravel: Laravel is a popular and widely used PHP framework known for its elegant syntax, robust features, and active developer community. It is well-suited for building complex, scalable web applications.
• Symfony: Symfony is a high-performance PHP framework that provides a set of reusable components and tools for building web applications. It is known for its flexibility and scalability.
• CodeIgniter: CodeIgniter is a lightweight PHP framework that is easy to learn and use. It is known for its speed and simplicity, making it a good choice for smaller projects.
• CakePHP: CakePHP is a rapid-development PHP framework that provides a set of tools and features for building web applications quickly and easily. It has a strong focus on security and is well-suited for enterprise-level applications.
• Yii: Yii is a high-performance PHP framework that provides a set of tools and features for building web applications quickly and easily. It is known for its speed and scalability, making it a good choice for large-scale applications.

When to use a PHP framework:

• If you need complete control over the application's functionality, structure, and design;
• If you are building a large-scale, complex web application with custom requirements;
• If you have a team of experienced developers who can handle the complexity and customization of a framework;
• If you want to build an application from scratch, using only the necessary components and libraries.

With a content management system (CMS), you can easily create, publish, and manage your website's content, without needing specialized technical skills. Let’s explore the top PHP-based CMS available in the market and highlight their key features, strengths, and weaknesses.

• WordPress: This is a popular open-source CMS that powers over 30% of websites on the internet. It is known for its ease of use and flexibility, making it a good choice for both personal and business websites.
• Joomla: It provides a set of tools and features for building websites and online applications. It is known for its scalability and extensibility.
• Drupal: Drupal is a flexible and powerful CMS that is well-suited for building complex websites and applications. It provides a wide range of features and tools for content management, user management, and more.
• Magento: Magento is a PHP-based CMS that is specifically designed for building ecommerce websites. It provides a wide range of features and tools for managing products, orders, and customers.
• OpenCart: This is an easy-to-use CMS that is specifically designed for building online stores. It provides a set of features and tools for managing products, orders, and customers, making it a good choice for small to medium-sized businesses.

When to use a CMS:

• If you need a website up and running quickly;
• If you want a customizable design;
• If you are building a website that requires basic functionality such as a blog, online store, or portfolio;
• If you want to save time and money.

Ultimately, the decision to use a framework or CMS will depend on your specific project requirements and constraints. Our vetted team of experts and EPAM Startups & SMBs will help you carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each option before coming up with a solution.

A PHP programmer is responsible for developing and maintaining web applications using the PHP programming language.

The role of a PHP programmer may include:

• Writing and testing PHP code to create and maintain web applications;
• Collaborating with other developers and designers to ensure that applications meet technical requirements and user needs;
• Troubleshooting and debugging code to ensure that applications run smoothly;
• Developing and maintaining database systems to support web applications;
• Keeping up to date with new technologies and trends in web development;
• Writing and maintaining technical documentation and user manuals;
• Working with project managers to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget;
• Providing technical support and assistance to end-users.

Overall, the role of a PHP programmer is crucial in developing and maintaining web applications that are critical to the success of many businesses and organizations.

When it comes to PHP programming, there are two basic categories of skills: backend and full-stack.

Backend PHP programmers focus on server-side development and are responsible for building and maintaining the core logic of a web application. This includes working with databases, integrating with third-party APIs, and ensuring the security of the application.

Full-stack PHP programmers, on the other hand, are expected to have a broader set of skills that includes both backend and front-end development. In addition to working on the server-side logic, they are also responsible for building the user interface of the web application, integrating with external services, and deploying and maintaining the application.

Here are the hard skills that PHP programmers should have in each of these two categories.

Backend PHP programmer

• Strong understanding of PHP syntax and data types
• Proficiency in PHP frameworks such as Laravel, CodeIgniter, or Symfony
• Mastery of SQL database concepts and MySQL syntax
• Experience with version control systems (Git)
• Familiarity with web application security principles and practices
• Understanding of OOP principles and design patterns
• Experience with automated testing frameworks such as PHPUnit

Full-stack PHP programmer

• Strong understanding of front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Proficiency in front-end frameworks such as React or Angular
• Experience with integrating third-party APIs and services
• Familiarity with web application security principles and practices
• Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Ability to architect and design complex software systems using PHP and related technologies
• Experience with agile project management methodologies

Note that there is some overlap between the two categories. However, the main difference is that a full-stack PHP programmer has a broader set of skills that includes front-end development, while a backend PHP programmer is more focused on server-side development.

The hard skills of a PHP programmer can also be categorized into junior, middle, senior, and team lead levels, with each level requiring a deeper understanding of the language, frameworks, and software development practices. Let’s explore some of the key hard skills that PHP programmers should have at each level.

Junior PHP programmer

• Basic understanding of PHP syntax and data types
• Familiarity with PHP frameworks such as Laravel, CodeIgniter, or Symfony
• Understanding of basic SQL database concepts and MySQL syntax
• Familiarity with version control systems such as Git
• Basic understanding of front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Understanding of basic software development principles such as Agile methodologies and software testing

Middle PHP programmer

• Strong understanding of PHP best practices and coding standards
• Strong understanding of PHP frameworks and their underlying concepts and architecture
• Proficiency in SQL database design, optimization, and query optimization
• Experience with integrating third-party APIs and services
• Familiarity with web application security principles and practices
• Understanding of object-oriented programming principles and design patterns
• Experience with automated testing frameworks such as PHPUnit

Senior PHP programmer

• Deep understanding of PHP internals and performance tuning techniques
• Ability to architect and design complex software systems using PHP and related technologies
• Experience with large-scale web application development and deployment
• Experience with continuous integration and delivery pipelines
• Ability to lead and mentor junior and middle PHP developers
• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes

PHP team lead

• Strong leadership and project management skills
• Ability to manage a team of PHP developers and coordinate with other teams
• Ability to define and enforce coding standards and best practices
• Experience with agile project management methodologies
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders and product owners to define project requirements and scope
• Strong communication and presentation skills to effectively communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

In addition to technical skills, soft skills are also important for a PHP developer to be successful in their role. Some key soft skills for PHP developers include:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Adaptability
• Collaboration

Overall, a PHP developer with strong soft skills will be able to work effectively with others, produce high-quality work, and deliver projects that meet client and stakeholder needs.