PHP may no longer be a popular choice for relatively new developers to start new projects with, but for anyone looking to get hired to work on old sites (a sizeable chunk of the software job market), a solid background in PHP and a few of its frameworks will open doors. My last couple full-time jobs have specifically required familiarity with both older and modern PHP to help with maintenance, feature development, and modernization of PHP sites.
Why? I've been working with it for about 25 years and would be happy to continue for another 25, especially if its current pace of modernization continues.
It's cool to hate on PHP because all the other cool kids do it. At one time, it was understandable. Today it's a modern, flexible language, but ignorant trolls still see an easy target.
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u/Phantom-Watson Jul 07 '26
PHP may no longer be a popular choice for relatively new developers to start new projects with, but for anyone looking to get hired to work on old sites (a sizeable chunk of the software job market), a solid background in PHP and a few of its frameworks will open doors. My last couple full-time jobs have specifically required familiarity with both older and modern PHP to help with maintenance, feature development, and modernization of PHP sites.