The devotees of PHP technology are increasing at a fanatic pace. I mean no other tech seems to have faced death and managed to come back together even stronger like never before. Creating a strong online presence in today’s business-centric world requires strong weapons in your arsenal and PHP definitely turns out to be one of those. The following post not only focuses on how strong PHP as a technology is but also comprises of some of the best PHP development tools to take into account before getting started with the next web development project.
Being one of the most-used programming languages and one of the strongest tech stacks available so far, PHP is no longer simply considered just for backend web application development. It is a sure-shot way to create dynamic content and is known for its high-end simplicity, speed and flexibility. We will further talk about the entire web development realm and how PHP definitely acts as a cornerstone. However, before we move any further let us understand what PHP really is?
PHP is the short form of Hypertext Preprocessor which is a kind of general-purpose scripting language mainly used to develop different dynamic and interactive websites. Though these days many of you have this different notion that PHP is dead or it is no longer in hype anymore but let me tell you this,
The technology was known among the first server-side languages which were seamlessly embedded into HTML ensuring the addition of seamless functionalities without external files for data. And trust me when I say this, the use of PHP has successfully evolved over all these years, all thanks to the increasing tech-savvy advancements. So what makes PHP a cut above or why developers are vouching for this particular technology across the globe?
- A scripting open-source language
- Easily available to download
- Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) to develop complex, reusable web applications
- Quick to get started with
- Highly secured
- Simple to use and quite versatile
- Well-supported to numerous platforms such as Windows, Mac OS, Linux
- Strong community support
- Proven track-record
No wonder big brands such as Facebook, Wikipedia, Yahoo, Canva, and Slack are created using PHP. Now without any further delay, I will simply jump on the segment featuring some of the best PHP development tools. And by the end of the following post, I assure you that you will know why developers all across the globe are vouching hard for PHP technology for their web development projects
and why you should be doing it too.
Top PHP Development Tools to Consider
Further below you will come across some of the most deserving PHP development tools to keep in mind, each one of these is of a kind. Also, the below-mentioned tools are chosen without any biases or favorability. They are purely chosen on the basis of their popularity, their benefits, features and usage among multiple PHP development projects.
So let’s get started.
1 PHPStorm
Now this one is pretty lightweight and known for being extremely fast, smooth and seamless for PHP developers all across the globe. No wonder PHPStorm has been a standard choice when it comes to the best PHP development tools for programmers worldwide. This PHP Integrated Development Environment works wonders with several PHP frameworks such as Zend, Symfony, Yii, Laravel, CakePHP, and so forth. Though not just PHP frameworks, PHPStorm has a proven track record for working with different content management systems such as Drupal, Magento, and WordPress.
If you are specifically looking for an IDE that offers intense support for different front-end technologies such as CSS, HTML5, Javascript and so more! Also, here you are bound to receive full support for code refactoring, unit testing and debugging. And do you know what is the best part here? Developers can seamlessly integrate with databases, command line tools,version control systems, remote deployment, and many other tools such as composer and rest client. Now, let us figure out what makes PHPStorm one of the leading PHP development tools across the globe?
- Code Completion
- Code re-arranger
- Seamless version control integration
- Zero configuration Debugging and testing
- Native ZenCoding Support
- Supports different plugins such as VimEditor
- Works well with PHP, JavaScript, Visual Basic, C, C++, and C# languages
- Supports different platforms such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X
So with an excellent project-wide search option, amazing tracking options, excellent built-in comparison tool for syntax highlighting, PHPStorm must be taken into consideration especially when you are looking for the best PHP development tools to consider.
2 Cloud9
The next interesting PHP development tool to take into account is Cloud9. Now there are times when a PHP developer doesn’t find the need to download and install different integrated development environments. So in that case, one can think of choosing Cloud 9. So what’s the difference between this and other PHP development tools? Well, Cloud9 is an online PHP development tool that allows PHP developers to write, run, debug as well as test the code. Yes, and all this is done without the installation of the PHP development tool on your local device. So in other words, developers can get started immediately with the project without getting into the trouble of installation, configuration, SDKs, and plugins.
Cloud9 is an open-source cloud IDE. Basically the following PHP development tool ensures to provide such a development environment for PHP developers that they can work seamlessly on different kinds of programming languages such as C, C++, Javascript and Python. Here you can make the most of the online solid code editor, PHP debugger, and terminal with pre-authorized AWS services. Here you will find different pre-packaged extensions as well as out-of-box plugins that ensure seamless management of existing and new projects simultaneously.
- Supports different languages such as Javascript, C, C++, HTML5 and PHP
- Works wonders with different platforms such as Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Solaris
So if you are looking for a PHP development tool that comprises of an integrated debugger, ensures real-time language analysis, enables access to AWS services, well-integrated debugging process and so forth, look no further than Cloud9.
3 Code Lobster
The next intimidating PHP development tool worth taking into account is Codelobster. As we all know that PHP technology has been considered as a dominant force in the web development realm since it has a proven track record for powering millions of websites and applications. Similarly, Codelobster is another amazing PHP development tool that makes the coding flow more efficient and enjoyable for PHP developers.
Right from seamless access controls to code editing, debugging, graphical user interface, code development, compatibility testing, pre-built templates, real-time editing, reporting and analytics, the PHP development tool covers it all. Next we are about to mention some more amazing benefits of choosing this PHP development tool in particular.
- Syntax checking, highlighting and code correction
- Code Intelligence
- HTML, CSS and Javascript Support
- Seamless PHP Integration
- SQL manager
- Remote File Access
- Remote Debugging and Testing
- Support for SQL queries and Database Interactions
- Support for different languages such as PHP, HTML, and CSS, support for different content management systems such as Drupal, WordPress, Magento, and Joomla, and of course, support for different platforms such as Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, macOS, and so more!
- FTP Protocol and Database Interface
- Advanced Editing capabilities
In addition to all these, Codelobster is pretty easy to use and has a proven track record of increased productivity and efficiency, provides error-free coding, and cross-platform compatibility, so what are you sitting tight for? Time to download and install Codelobster right away.
4 Sublime Text
Moving on! Sublime Text is another intimidating PHP development tool that turns out to be one of the most widely used text editors. Now this one is pretty old and still significant for writing different PHP-based applications featuring relevant plugins and extensions. Moreover, Sublime Text is often known as a cross-platform source code editor which supports different programming languages at the same time.
So if you are looking for a PHP development tool that features a command palette, offers integration of API and packages, supports spilled editing, supports almost all languages, and different platforms such as Linux, Mac OS, and windows, you exactly know where to head towards. Unlike other PHP development tools available, Sublime text can be seamlessly customized and comprises of advanced API, Goto functions, and other intriguing features such as:
- Autocompletion, Syntax Highlight, Code Folding
- Customization
- Lightweight, fast and stable
- Powerful Search
- Integrated Package Manager
- Advanced editing
Other than feature-rich functions and distinctive looks, the PHP development tool comprises of a reputable community featuring skilled and experienced developers for instant assistance. Also, check out the UI toolkit that enables you to navigate seamlessly among symbols, lines and words with the help of valuable shortcuts.
5 PHPUnit
The next one in line when it comes to the best PHP development tools comes the PHPUnit. Let’s say you have been creating a PHP-based application, the only concern is it comprises of some bugs and errors that come later into the picture. As soon as you fix one bug another one appears, here PHPUnits come to the rescue! The PHP development tool doesn’t save you from unnecessary headaches and troubles but also ensures the development of a solution with more maintainable code featuring better performance.
PHPUnit is a programmer-oriented testing framework that works wonders for dede-facto testing. PHP developers can write unit tests for developing PHP-based applications effectively and efficiently. How is PHPUnit beneficial?
- Reduced Development time
- Refactoring code and upgrading the framework
- Seamless Integration
- Enhanced Designing
- Supports all types of PHP frameworks and IDEs such as Zend Framework, CakePHP, PHPStorm, and many more.
So if you are looking for a PHP development tool that offers seamless debugging, seamless refactored code validation, and determining code coverage, easy test-case writing, then PHPUnit is the name to look forward to.
6 Zend Studio
Another interesting PHP development tool to take into account is Zend Studio. In today’s times, almost all websites are written in the PHP version so PHP developers are looking for a reliable and relevant PHP development tool that incorporates a wide range of features and functionalities: intuitive code assist, smart code completion, refactoring, and real-time error validation and a
nalysis. Now there is no denying the fact that programmers or PHP developers nowadays tend to have a wide range of frameworks and libraries at their disposal for developing high-end projects and solutions. Zend Studio is highly recommended for object-oriented coding and offers several other advantages such as:
- Easy customization
- Great for developing Big-data applications
- HTML5 compliant
- Large and active community support
- Quick and efficient
- Seamless Docker support and Git Flow support
- High-end Performance
- Indexing and searching PHP code
- Coding becomes better when using an intelligent code editor
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and IBM
- Supports languages such as PHP, JavaScript, Visual Basic, C, C++, and C#
On and all, debugging code using Zend Studio is pretty minimal and features X-ray, Xdebug, and Zend Debugger. So next time you think about conducting a PHP web application development project, do try considering Zend Studio.
7 Eclipse
Last but certainly not least comes Eclipse when it comes to the best PHP development tools and technologies. Try searching for the best PHP development tools on Google, when you do so, I am pretty sure you will come across one common name among all the search results and that is Eclipse. Now this one acts as a one-stop solution when it comes to development tools across
the globe. One of the obvious reasons for choosing Eclipse as your PHP development tool is that it makes writing PHP codes pretty simpler and better. Also, here you are bound to receive seamless support for Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and Solaris and programming languages such as ABAP, Ada, C, C++, Haskell, COBOL, D, JavaScript, Fortran, Java, Julia, Perl, Lua, NATURAL, PHP, Prolog, Ruby, Python, R, Lasso, Rust, Scala, Groovy, Scheme, Clojure, and Erlang.
Key features offered by the particular PHP development tool include:
- Code Completion
- Adequate workspace
- Code Editing
- Content assist
- Seamless deployment and management
- Code templates
- Graphical user interface
- Syntax highlighting
- Collaboration tools
- Integrated Development Environment
- Code Navigation
- Possible to develop advanced versions of applications
- Supports JPA tooling and JSF tooling, web service development
- Compatible with different plugins such as static analysis, checking of code style, checking of the version of the system
So yes, we have a plethora of reasons for choosing Eclipse as your PHP development tool.
Conclusion
Each one of the aforementioned tools is of a kind! So make sure you choose pretty wisely depending on your exact needs and requirements. Of course, you may come across several other paid and free PHP-based tools but the aforementioned ones can be considered as the best bet.
However, if you are still sceptical of considering either of these then it is advisable to hire a reputable PHP development company that has a proven track record for developing brilliant web applications using such tools and technologies.
