PHP is also known as Hypertext Preprocessor which is one of the most widely used platforms for building websites and web apps. It is created by applying the server scripting language. PHP is the most preferred language by most of the web developers due to it’s efficiency, speed and result oriented feature. It performs better than Python and Ruby. It has a very simple to use script, huge community, well supported framework, documentation and fully promotes the libraries to construct an effective app. It is the most fastest and widely used server-side scripting language used for website creation and apps. To make the PHP simple, easy and to make it user friendly there are many PHP development tools that enhances the performance and efficiency of the programming.
PHP is the scripting language that is used for the general purpose of developing immersive and interactive web pages. It was one of the first server-side languages that could be embedded in HTML which makes the web pages more functional and does not require external files for data.
What is PHP Development Tool?
There are many PHP development tools that are designed by the experts to improve the efficiency and productivity in the programming. Such development tools makes the PHP scripting language a lot more easier. The PHP tools are effectively used for PHP development which makes development process intuitive, rich and engaging for the users. It is absolutely preferred by the developers due to it’s amazing features and effectiveness. It is simple with text editors that uses the features to build attractive web pages and apps which also enhances them at the same time. The PHP tools can efficiently build engaging, innovative and rich in features PHP projects.
The very purpose of these web development tools is to account for a PHP IDE which is a platfrom for the PHP developers to build innovative, feature rich and intuitive PHP projects. PHP development tools makes the programming efficient and effective. There are many PHP development tools and software that are available in the market. Choosing one of the PHP tools for your task is difficult choice.
Why PHP is Popular for Web Development?
- Easy to Learn and Use
PHP is a common and simple in use when the developers want to create a web page with a single PHP file in a short span of time. It does not have any barriers when compared to the other languages and the command functions are very simple to learn. - Open source
The developers prefers the PHP as their choice as the cost of installing it almost negligible rather zero and quickly installed. There is also an open access to a wide range of PHP frameworks. It helps in reducing or cutting down the cost of web development. - Versatile
The PHP platform is independent and versatile which can be used on windows, MacOS and other supported web browsers. It supports all web servers and deploys them on different systems and platforms at minimum cost. - Strong Community Support
PHP has a strong community base and support and it is the most widely used scripting language by the developers. The PHP language can be regularly updated with the help of the knowledge of the developers which they can gain from the different tutorials and FAQs. - Fast and Secure
PHP is one scripting language that can never go wrong due to it’s speed and efficiency and also uses it’s own memory. Since it uses it’s own memory it is secured than the other programming languages. Due to it’s huge support there are now many PHP development tools, practices and frameworks that ensures security of the data and protects it against any cyber attacks or malpractices. - Tried and Tested
The PHP has been put to rigorous testing in all and agile environment which makes it an efficient code. The bugs are fixed making the language more secured and stabled by the developers. Many frameworks and tools have been built only because the PHP web development is secure and effective.
Best PHP Development Tools For Building Attractive Websites
These days the market is filled with the many PHP tools and to choose any one of them is a bit tricky and challenging task. We hereby provide only the top most popular best PHP development tool to grab the attention of the communities and developers.
PHP Storm
The PHP Storm is a standardized choice as PHP development tool is preferred by most of the expert PHP developers. This PHP development tool functions very smoothly with the PHP frameworks like Laravel, Cake PHP, Zend framework. The PHP Storm also works efficiently with Content Management Systems like Drupal, Magento and WordPress. This PHP IDE is lightweight that offers support to the front-end technologies and supports the code testing and debugging process. It also empowers developers to integrate with databases, version control systems, remote deployment, composer, command line tools, rest client and many other tools.
PHP Storm Features:
- Code completion
- Code re-arranger
- Zero Configuration Debugging
- Native Zen Coding support
- Supports extension with plenty of useful plugins like Vim Editor
PHP Storm Specialties:
- Languages supported: PHP, JavaScript, Visual Basic, C, C++, and C#
- Platforms supported: Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X
Zend Studio
Most web developers chooses the Zend Studio due to it’s speed and accuracy. The writing and debugging of the code does not involve much of the human efforts and time of the developers. This PHP IDE comes with a set of features and deploys applications on the servers. The PHP developers can extend Zend Studio through the Eclipse plugins.
Zend Studio Features:
- Indexing and searching PHP Code
- Faster Performance in the validation
- Zend Framework and Zend Tool Integration
- Docker Support
- Support for Eclipse Plugin
Zend Studio Specialties:
- Languages supported: PHP, JavaScript, Visual Basic, C, C++, and C#
- Platforms supported: Microsoft Windows, Linux, and MacOS
Cloud 9
With the help of the Cloud 9 the PHP developers can immediately start coding within in workspace and builds the web applications with features. This PHP IDE allows the developers to take the PHP project anywhere. It offers server less applications which is flawless and can be debug even from remote. The Cloud 9 provides server less applications, you just need to code with your browser.
Cloud9 Features:
- Real-time language Analysis
- Tabbed file Management
- Integrated Debugger
- Built-in image editor
- Code reformatting
Cloud9 Specialties:
- Languages supported: PHP, JavaScript, C, C++, and HTML5
- Platforms supported: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Solaris
Aptana Studio
Aptana Studio is an open source PHP development tool that is used for the purpose of integration with the various client and server side web technologies. It supports the debugging and command line interface to make it simple and easy for the PHP app development. It allows PHP programmers to build and test the web applications in an environment. It is a high performance PHP IDE and includes a wide range of attractive features to increase the productivity.
Aptana Studio features:
- Set breakpoints, control execution, inspect variables
- Supports latest HTML5 specifications
- Collaboration with peers via merge, pull & push actions
- IDE Customization
- Git Integration and Built-in terminal
Aptana Specialties:
- Languages supported: PHP, JavaScript, Ajax, HTML and Ruby on Rails
- Platforms supported: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Plugin for Eclipse
CodeLobster
CodeLobster IDE is the most popular among all the PHP development tools which is used by the development community. It supports most of the PHP frameworks like Laravel, Codeigneitor, Cake PHP, Magento and Drupal. The PHP debugger can validate your code locally and automatically detects the setting of the current servers to make use of the free debugger. It also supports the major Content Management Systems like Drupal, WordPress, Magento.
CodeLobster Feature
- Syntax highlighting
- SQL manager
- Code validator
- Autocompleting of keywords, DOM elements and their properties
- Function Parameters Display
CodeLobster Specialties:
- Languages supported: PHP, JavaScript, HTML and CSS
- Platforms supported: Windows, Fedora, Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, Mac OS, Mint
Sublime Text
Sublime Text is the popular text editor for the PHP developers. By installing the certain plugins it can become a suitable editor for the PHP application development. This cross-platfrom source code editor supports the several programming. This text editor is the best IDE for the PHP development as it has feature rich functionalities and extraordinary designs. You can also make changes to the line of your code.
Sublime Text Features
- Split editing
- Instant Project Switch
- Better command palette
- Distraction free mode
- Plugin API
Sublime Text Specialties:
- Languages supported: All popular languages
- Platforms supported: Windows, Mac OS and Linux
PHP Debugbar
PHP Debugbar is a PHP debugger that runs with any project and displays data from broad range of web apps. This PHP development tool includes main Debugbar object and data collector and render. The PHP debugbar can inspect CSS element, monitor network and check the JavaScript code. It offers many features and has impressive open source solution. It is the best option for profiling of data from any web applications. It includes a pre-configured built-in set of collectors.
PHP Debugbar Feature
- Monitor network traffic
- Handles AJAX requests
- Log & debug directly to Debugbar
- Fast, intuitive and easy to use interface
- Preview config and application configuration
PHP Debugbar Specialties:
- Languages supported: PHP, Ruby, .Net and Java
- PHP versions supported: PHP 5.5 & above
Eclipse
When we search for the best PHP development tools most of our search results shall have the Eclipse in the list. It is comparatively simple to develop and can simplify the complex PHP code and this can be selected from abroad range of plugin. This Eclipse is applicable for the large scale PHP projects and aids in customizing and extending the IDE to address the needs of the project. The PHP IDE supports both GUI and non-GUI applications.
Eclipse Feature
- Syntax highlighting
- Content assist
- Code templates
- Formatting of code
- Code navigation
Eclipse Specialties:
- Languages supported: 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
- Platforms supported: Windows, Mac OS, Linux and Solaris