Tech giants like Facebook and eCommerce sites such as Shopify use PHP for web development due to its open-source nature and ability to integrate with databases. This makes PHP a popular language among web developers. However, if you do not select the right set of tools while working with PHP it might get hectic. That’s why it’s important to opt for suitable tools to make your web development journey easy and efficient. In this blog 9 such tools are explained, why they are required, and how they can impact your web projects. Moreover, to benefit from these PHP tools you can also hire PHP developers.
1.XAMPP
One of the essential PHP tools is XAMPP. Being an open-source and cross-platform server is useful for developers. For local web development, it’s a handy tool as it comes in combination with PHP, MySQL, and Apache. Moreover, before application deployment with XAMPP, it gets easier to test, analyze, and debug your applications. A reputable PHP development company can also consult for utilizing XAMPP.
Why opt for XAMPP?
The given features make XAMPP the best tool for developers:
- Rapid local development
- Database management through SQL
- Smooth configuration for development with PHP
2.Composer
For an effective management of dependencies in PHP, Composer is the most suitable option. Developers can handle packages and libraries for their PHP projects smoothly with this essential tool. Moreover, usage of the latest libraries can be confirmed by avoiding any conflict between packages. This tech tool also allows experts to download the most suitable package for their projects by automatically selecting them.
Why opt for Composer?
It is useful to select Composer due to:
- Its ability to simplify the management of dependencies
- Automation of libraries and package installation
- Varification of compatibility between different packages that are utilized in web projects
3.PHPStorm
Another popular PHP tool is PHPStorm offering a strong integrated development environment. This tool provides dynamic features like debugging, testing, code completion, and code refactoring, becoming an ideal tool for web developers. Moreover, you can easily detect any change in your code due to the built-in support of PHPStorm for different version control systems such as Mercurial, Git, and SVN.
Why opt for PHPStorm?
These points make PHPStorm a good option for web developers:
- Continuous support for frameworks and PHP itself
- Ensuring better productivity with refactoring tools and code navigation techniques
- Great support for testing and debugging can also be availed through expert PHP development services.
4.PHPUnit
This one is a framework for PHP to facilitate testing during the web development process. It enables users to write tests and run them on PHP code. In this way, writing tests assist in ensuring the authenticity of your code making your work project maintainable and more reliable. Moreover, this tool PHPUnit smoothly integrates with other PHP frameworks like Symfony, Laravel, and Zend. This results in helping bug identification during web development.
Why opt for PHPUnit?
Some features of PHPUnit make it useful for developers including:
- Making unit testing easy in PHP
- Ability to merge with other CI /CD tools and frameworks
- Maintaining error-free and clean code
These PHPUnit features can be leveraged by taking a PHP developer agency on board.
5.Laravel
In PHP frameworks Laravel offers great features and elegant syntax. These features include caching, authentication, database management, and routing. Also, it is designed to perform multiple tasks faster like caching and sessions. If you are planning to start a new web development project you can hire dedicated PHP developers to take care of the whole project.
Why opt for Laravel?
- Clean syntax makes routing easy and faster
- In-built support for security and authentication
- Large-scale documentation and vast community
6.Postman
For testing of APIs and their development, Postman is considered a powerful tool. For this thing, developers can send API requests to conduct testing, evaluate responses, and classify APIs in user-friendly UIs. Moreover, proper working of your API can also be ensured by Postman. It also supports automation followed by continuous integration.
Why opt for Postman?
This tool is suitable because of:
- Tools automation and integration
- Efficient development and testing of APIs
- UIs are easy to operate for sending requests and receiving responses.
7.Git
In the case of any web development project, Git takes care of version control. With the help of this PHP tool developers can collaborate effectively with other team members, and track alterations in their code. This would assist in keeping your project organized. Moreover, Git is an essential tool for you whether you are working individually or in a PHP web development company.
Why opt for Git?
You can select Git based on its ability to:
- Monitor codebase changes
- Seamlessly collaborate with other teams.
- Integrate with CI/CD tools.
8.Docker
To handle more complex distributed systems with PHP, Docker is a must-have tool for you. With this PHP tool developers are now able to containerize their web applications ensuring that these applications can run smoothly across multiple ecosystems.
Why opt for Docker?
One should opt for Docker because of:
- Its ability to ensure cross-platform consistency
- Making dependency management easy
9. PHP Debug Bar
Debugging of web applications becomes easier with PHP Debug Bar. With this tool, you can have a complete breakdown of your web application’s errors and performance. Moreover, it offers integration with different PHP frameworks giving insights into memory usage and database queries.
Why opt for the PHP Debug Bar?
You should use PHP Debug Bar due to:
- Offering complete debugging
- Helping in pointing out performance issues
Wrapping Up
For building PHP applications using the right set of tools is important. These tools such as XAMPP, Composer, PHPStorm, PHPUnit, Docker, and a lot more streamline the web development process for you. It results in improved productivity. Moreover, hiring a PHP developer from Bizmia would be effective for better performance and leveraging the true potential of all PHP tools.
