PHP, or Hypertext Preprocessor, is a popular server-side scripting language that has been a crucial part of web development for over two decades. It was created in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf as a tool to track visitors to his online resume. However, it was not until 1995 when Lerdorf released the source code for PHP that it gained attention from developers looking for a more efficient way to create dynamic web pages. This marked the beginning of the evolution of PHP, as it was constantly improved and updated by a growing community of developers.
In 1997, two developers, Andi Gutmans and Zeev Suraski, rewrote the core of PHP, introducing a more robust and efficient infrastructure, which led to the release of PHP3. This version included support for databases, allowing for the creation of more dynamic and interactive websites. With the release of PHP4 in 2000, the language became object-oriented, making it more scalable and versatile. This move was a significant factor in PHP’s growing popularity, as it made it easier for developers to create complex web applications.
The early 2000s saw a surge in the use of PHP, as it became the go-to language for web development. Its open-source nature and compatibility with different operating systems, web servers, and databases made it an attractive choice for developers. It also had a low learning curve, making it accessible to beginners and experienced developers alike. In 2004, PHP5 was released, introducing new features such as better error handling and improved support for object-oriented programming.
As the internet continued to evolve, so did PHP. In 2014, PHP7 was released, bringing significant performance improvements and a new version of the Zend Engine, the core of PHP. This allowed for faster execution of code, making PHP a more competitive option for high-traffic websites. More recently, in 2019, PHP8 was released, introducing new features such as improvements in error handling and the introduction of the JIT (Just-In-Time) compiler, further enhancing the language’s performance.
Today, PHP is used by over 80% of all websites on the internet, including popular platforms such as WordPress, Facebook, and Wikipedia. Its versatility and continuous improvement have made it a reliable choice for web development, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, with the rise of e-commerce and the demand for dynamic and interactive websites, PHP’s role in web development is more critical than ever. Its impact on the internet and its evolution over the years have solidified PHP as one of the most influential and essential programming languages in the world.
