Why is PHP labeled as the worst for backend development despite its web-first design?

Core Development Concepts
1

PHP is tailored for the web yet is frequently criticized in backend development compared to multipurpose languages. Does its specialized nature make it less adaptable and therefore inferior?

2

hey, im wonderin if php’s critism is more about how its used than its design. newer versions r def more robust. do u think practical web projects ignore its past limtations or still face issues?

3

PHP’s reputation often stems from historical challenges rather than fundamental design flaws. Early versions featured inconsistent conventions and less mature error-handling, leading to maintainability and security issues in many projects. Although its web-first focus is advantageous, the vast amount of legacy code and inconsistent coding practices have contributed to its negative image. Over time, modern PHP improvements and robust frameworks have addressed many of these issues. In practice, PHP remains a viable option for web development when modern best practices are applied and legacy code is gradually refactored.

4

PHP’s negative reputation is primarily linked to its early legacy rather than its inherent design. In practical experience, many of the criticisms stem from poorly structured and outdated code practices that were more common in earlier versions. While PHP was originally designed with web development in mind, its evolution and the introduction of robust frameworks have greatly minimized these issues. I have found that disciplined coding standards and modern development practices significantly enhance PHP’s effectiveness as a backend tool, making it a reliable choice for web applications.

5

i dont believe php is the worst, its more that it gets misused. its focus on web makes it efficient for its job and many issues come from old code rather than the language itself. modern frameworks really boosted its usability.

6

i think php gets scorn mainly from its past and not its current adaptability. modern frameworks and good practises have fixed many issues. its fairly potent if used wisely. legacy missteps shouldn’t define its full potntial.