8 PHP Tools to Boost Productivity and Efficiency of Developers
PHP is one of those popular programming languages that every professional engaged with the Software Development Space have worked with one time or another.
And it’s not only developers with whom the PHP is a Big Hit.
There are tens of thousands of Companies from various Industry Verticals who are powered by Web Solutions built using this programming language.
The reason why PHP comes up as the first choice for Web Application Development is because of its large network of tools.
Experts have developed different tools for helping PHP developers to write codes more efficiently and effectively.
But with so many tools comes confusion. Confusion regarding which tools to use and which not to use.
This specifically becomes a matter of concern because What tools you use in a Project impacts not only the development process but also the final product.
So, to help you out in deciding the best fit tool for your PHP Development Project, I have discussed 8 popular PHP tools that you must consider utilizing at some point or the other.
Eclipse PHP IDE
Eclipse is one of the tools that always pop up in every list on the internet for top PHP Tools. And indeed, it ranks in the top positions as the best performance-optimized and enhanced PHP editor Software.
It helps you to customize, optimize and extend the IDE to meet Project needs and requirements.
Eclipse Highlights:
· Faster PHP Indexer- It primarily helps in the effective compilation of PHP code.
· Supported on all 3 platforms- Windows, macOS, Linux
· Code Highlighting functionalities — This helps Developers to easily understand and write better codes contrary to the command line.
· Advanced Code Debugging functionalities- It allows developers to write error-free codes by helping eliminate nearly 100% of the bugs.
· It is supported by the latest PHP version which is PHP7.
NetBeans PHP IDE
Although initially used for Java, the current version of NetBeans comes with rich features that support PHP and its various Frameworks.
NetBeans Highlights:
· Supports Content Management Software such as Wordpress. It facilitates in creating CMS Wordpress powered PHP website or blog.
· Consists of primary and fundamentals components like Source Code Editor and Code Debugger
· Includes features and functionalities for Continuous Integration (CI).
· Comprises of In-built Configuration settings helping developers to quickly set up and configure their projects.
· Comes with source code formatting features that support automatic formatting of source code.
· Best PHP development tool out there for migrating your website to PHP.
PHPStorm
It is a Lightweight and extremely fast PHP IDE that supports PHP Frameworks like CakePHP, Zend, Symfony, and Laravel.
It also works well with popular Content Management Systems like Drupal, Magento, and Wordpress.
PHP Storm Highlights:
· Supports and Integrates with various relational databases
· Consists of advanced features such as- Command-line functionalities, code versioning, and control systems for software versions.
· Also comes with features to work with REST APIs.
· Facilitates extension with many useful plugins.
· Live editing support for popular front-end languages and technologies — HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Aptana Studio
Aptana is an open-source PHP IDE that can be used along with several client-side and server-side technologies.
In addition to the above PHP tools, we also have another top-rated tool that our team prefers to use called Aptana Studio.
HTML5, CSS3 are some examples of such client-side technologies while JavaScript, Python, and Ruby on Rails are some of the supported back-end technologies.
Apatana Studio Highlights-
· Allows developers to build and test Web applications in one environment.
· Supports command-line interface for helping developers who wish to manually configure and develop one or the other parts of their PHP Web application.
· Comes with an advanced debugger
· Supports Git Integration
Code Lobster
One of the most popular tools among the PHP developer community, Code Lobster supports most of the PHP frameworks like Symfony, Laravel, CodeIgniter, CakePHP.
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It also provides support for major CMS such as Joomla, Magento, Wordpress, Drupal and so.
Code Lobster Highlights-
· Consists of internal PHP debugger for easy bug detection
· Code Autocomplete features which saves up a lot of developer’s time
· Syntax highlighting functionality allowing developers to write quality codes
· Comes with Code Validator and SQL Manager
Zend Studio
Speed is what makes Zend Studio a preferred PHP tool. It allows developers to quickly and effortlessly write as well as debug codes.
It comes with a powerful and intelligent set of features to enhance productivity.
Zend Studio Highlights:
· Debugs PHP codes through Zend Debugger, XDebug, X-Ray
· Comes with functionality to deploy a PHP application on various web servers including the cloud
· Facility for extending Zend Studio functionalities via Eclipse Plugins.
· Docker Support
NuSphere PHPED
Offered by NuSphere, PHPED is propriety Integrating PHP tool.
It is one of the most robust tools for PHP Developers that offers support for PHP version 7.1.
It’s wide range of features and functionalities make Web application development an easier and effortless process.
NuSphere PhpED Highlights-
· Consists of advanced features like PHP editor, PHP debugger, Profiler, Code Insight, etc.
· Code refactoring and code completion functionalities help developers to improve their codes
· It speeds up the application development process with the PHP accelerator- PHPExpress.
· Parallel Debugging functionality
· Supports composite file extensions
AWS CLOUD9
Cloud 9 is an open-source cloud-based IDE provided by Amazon. It supports quite a large number of programming languages including PHP.
Cloud9 Highlights-
· Enables write, running and debugging of codes at the same time
· Its pre-configured environments allow developers to start coding immediately.
· It allows developers to code in browsers, hence resulting in effortless coding.
· Facilitates real-time coding
· Provides direct access to AWS terminal
· Consists of fully-featured code editor along with integrated debugger
· Collaborative coding and chat features for teams to better communicate and collaborate for developing high performing PHP applications.
· Availability of numerous custom themes and a variety of RUN configurations.
· Comes with a powerful built-in image editor
· Facility for connecting to any Linux Server Platform
· Feature for real-time language analysis and code reformatting
Well, different tools are packed with different features and functionalities that facilitate PHP developers to quickly and efficiently build PHP powered Web Solutions.
The ones mentioned above are 8 of the many top-rated PHP tools that developers prefer to use in their PHP development Projects.
However, each project is different and so are their requirements. Hence, it is crucial that developers use the appropriate PHP tool to meet all Project needs.
ChromeInfotech is a leading PHP Development Company with experienced PHP developers who first understand the requirements of a Project and then accordingly adopt the right PHP tool.
Apart from being proficient in the above PHP tools, Our PHP developers are also well-versed with the various PHP frameworks.
With such skills and expertise, We hold the capability to deliver top-notch PHP powered Digital Solutions as per your Business specifications.
So, on a Concluding note,
There are numerous PHP tools available as of today, but only a handful of them make it to the top as the best and most preferred ones.
And PHP developers who are well versed in these tools hold the key to developing a Software Application of the highest quality that fulfills all your business needs and requirements.
