Best Programming Language for Backend Web Development: PHP vs Python

May 25, 2026 · 5:29 AM UTC ·7 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 37 views

#programming #backend #php #python #softwaredevelopment

Best Programming Language for Backend Web Development: PHP vs Python

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The article compares PHP and Python as backend programming languages, highlighting their unique histories and strengths. PHP is optimized for web performance, while Python excels in computational tasks. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the specific needs of the application being developed.

Key facts

▪PHP was created in 1994 as a set of CGI scripts for tracking website visits, while Python was designed as a teaching language prioritizing readability.
▪PHP is generally faster for serving web requests, whereas Python is more efficient for computationally intensive tasks due to its powerful libraries.
▪Python's syntax is often considered easier to read, which can reduce cognitive overhead during team collaboration.

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Original publisher	DEV.to (Top)
Canonical URL	https://dev.to/sahil_khurana_486f374ecf2/best-programming-language-for-backend-web-development-php-vs-python-32f4
Publication time	Mon, 25 May 2026 05:29:29 +0000
Retrieval time	2026-05-25T05:37:36.224Z
Last seen	2026-05-25T05:37:36.224Z
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Indexing	May the item be indexed (stored, ranked, made findable)?	Allowed
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Basis: Derived from the published RSS/Atom feed. Contact: [email protected]. Reviewed: 2026-07-24.

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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand

try { if(localStorage) { let currentUser = localStorage.getItem('current_user'); if (currentUser) { currentUser = JSON.parse(currentUser); if (currentUser.id === 3911388) { document.getElementById('article-show-container').classList.add('current-user-is-article-author'); } } } } catch (e) { console.error(e); } Sahil Khurana Posted on May 25 • Originally published at innostax.com Best Programming Language for Backend Web Development: PHP vs Python #python #php #laravel #softwaredevelopment Something I get asked constantly by developers picking up their second or third language: PHP or Python for the backend? My answer used to be more confident than it should have been. I had a preference, I leaned on it, and I gave advice that was really just personal bias dressed up as guidance.

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