Who is PHP Developer?
As technology continues to evolve globally, the number of programming languages is also increasing. One of the popular languages is PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor). It is an open-source scripting language used in web development and embedded into HTML. This article will help you understand what PHP developers do, their salary range, and how you can become a PHP developer.
Who is a PHP Developer?
A PHP developer uses a dynamic scripting language to develop programs, applications, and websites. Depending on your job function as a PHP developer, you can either be a software developer or a web developer. PHP developers use this scripting language to perform tasks like usernames and passwords encryption and managing guest books.
Roles and Responsibilities of PHP Developers
PHP developers have different roles and responsibilities they execute at their workplaces. Some of them include;
- Creating, Testing, and Deploying Web Applications
PHP developers have the responsibility of coming up with innovative web applications. They use their knowledge to craft applications in an efficient and timely manner. Besides, they work hand-in-hand with other developers to achieve the required data acquisition needs.
- Testing Websites
PHP developers are website development expertise. As a result, they can test the workability of a website in various browsers, and if they notice an error, they can fix it. They work on all sorts of websites, including mobile, tablet, and notebook websites.
- Doing Research
Yes, PHP developers also engage in research work. They research and explore architectural considerations in the system design market. Some of the areas they spend their time exploring include website performance, database design, and website performance. This helps them to weigh the available alternatives and work with the best.
- Identifying and Fixing Web Issues
PHP developers have the role of identifying any problem involving HTML, CSS, and scripting in a series of various platforms and browsers. After identifying the issue, they can find a solution and fix it.
- Providing Details on Website Specifications
Since these guys are web and software gurus, if you want to have a detailed explanation of your website features, they can do it for you. They can explain the product features, programming languages, functionalities, structure, and communication protocols.
- Writing and Modifying Programming Code
PHP is all about coding. Hence, PHP developers use computer software and hardware to generate and write the programming code.
- Monitoring Websites
PHP developers develop plans for keeping the websites they develop updated and current at all times. They are responsible for creating and perfecting guidelines for the website’s content, recommend improvements needed on the website, and select the most productive design tools and applications to be used.
- Keep up with the Upcoming Programming Trends
PHP developers need to keep learning the new trends popping up in their industry. They can achieve this by reading, participating in relevant programming workshops, furthering their education, and attending programming conferences.
Skills needed to be a PHP Developer
To be able to perform all of the above roles and responsibilities and more as a PHP developer, you need to have several skills; these skills include;
PHP skills– you should be familiar with the PHP scripting language if you want to be a good PHP developer. Even it is beginner-level knowledge, it is crucial. You can gain this skill by learning using tutorials, online courses, PHP workshops, or books.
Front-end technologies knowledge– as a PHP developer, you interact with front-end technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. Therefore, it is vital to be familiar with them to deliver accordingly.
Code versioning tools– as a PHP developer, coding is part of you. Therefore, you need a better understanding of coding tools such as Git that you will be using in your duties.
PHP architectural frameworks: PHP works with various architectural designs such as APIs, MVC, and UNIX. Therefore, you need to know them.
Familiarity with SQL/NoSQL– these databases are vital in executing PHP developers’ responsibilities. Hence interact with them together with their declarative query languages.
Problem-solving skills– as a PHP developer, you will come across some web and software issues that require fixing. It is crucial to be a good problem solver.
Good communications skills– you won’t work alone in your PHP career-you will interact with other PHP developers and employees from different departments. Therefore, you need to be good at communication to build a good work relationship with others.
How to Become a PHP Developer
Do you love programming languages? You can become a PHP developer. Here is a guide of becoming a guru in PHP;
You can begin by pursuing a degree in relevant fields such as software engineering, programming, information technology, or computer science. However, the requirements for a web developer are lower than that of a software developer in some cases. Besides, work experience from the above fields can favor you.
Secondly, learn the PHP language itself. You want to become a PHP developer; therefore, you need to have a deep understanding of this scripting language. You can learn it through online classes or enroll in a college that offers the same. You can start with the introductory course and then proceed to an advanced one.
Thirdly, practice what you learn because practice makes perfect. Make sure that after learning something, engage in a challenge or exercise to practice it. This is because the more you engage with the PHP language, the better you understand it.
Finally, get yourself a certification to prove that you are a PHP guru. This is achievable by going through a PHP course and passing the certification exam. With that certificate, you can search and apply for PHP developers’ jobs without fear.
PHP Salary Range and the Future of PHP
A PHP developer’s salary varies due to several factors such as company size, location, demand, and level of experience. According to Glassdoor, a PHP developer’s salary in the US is $74,126 annually on average, while in India, the PHP expert gets Rs 265,507 per year on average, according to Payscale. In Australia, the standard salary range for a PHP developer is between $100k to 120K.
According to the US Board of Labor Statistics, the forecast of web development positions, including PHP ones, is 15% by 2026. Also, the DAXX shows that the number of PHP developers globally increased from 5 million in 2013 to 5.5 million in September 2018. Therefore, the PHP future is bright, more and more opportunities are coming up.
PHP developers are significant people in the world of technology and beyond. They make it easier for companies to operate their websites and applications. As a result, organizations achieve their goals and objectives.