Good evening.

I came across a website that contains benchmarks for programming languages, which I find quite useful. However, I am a bit confused about the accuracy of these benchmarks.

Two months ago, I switched from PHP 5.6 to Python 3 (Fleksy) without having the chance to try PHP 7. Today, I decided to learn more about PHP 7 and read tests that compare its speed with HHVM, and they seem to be comparable without any deviations. It appears that Python used to be on par with PHP but now it is incomparable in a negative way. Could this be true?

Despite this, I still think that Python is a beautiful language, and I am glad I learned it. However, I am questioning the value of convenience if it does not yield the desired results. Do you have any insights or explanations that could clarify this matter?

As server performance continues to increase while maintaining cost, the emphasis will shift towards languages that offer speedy and easy program writing over execution speed. The cumbersome nature of PHP, with its dollar sign in every variable and lack of multithreading, will make it difficult to compete. Those who solely praise PHP likely lack the skill or knowledge to develop with other languages.

As one employer stated, a job applicant who only knows PHP will not be considered. Python is currently the most popular language according to statistics. Personally, I use C# and find it to be a miraculous language. Nevertheless, I am keen on mastering Python in order to expand my knowledge and abilities. After all, learning occurs through comparison.

You must have realized by now how enjoyable coding in Python can be, given your question. However, the allure of Python doesn't lie solely in its speed. To illustrate this point, consider a scenario where you were faced with the choice between a Lada (which, according to certain tests, can travel 20 km/s faster than a Mercedes) and a Mercedes. It's not simply a matter of speed. Looking back, I shudder at the number of years we spent on Php during the late 90s and early 2000s.

Switching from Php to Python can elicit a sense of amazement akin to "B%I, is it really possible?" If speed is a priority for you, it may be worthwhile to check out GO Lang- it's quite impressive. Despite these options, many people still choose to stick with Php because they're too lazy to familiarize themselves with something new. Due to this trend, I've stopped interviewing programmers who only know Php for job openings.

Php may have faster speeds in single-threaded tasks, but it lacks support for asynchrony and multithreading, making it less suitable for serious projects. While there are ways to balance servers at the Nginx level, it may not provide the desired level of stability unless multiple servers are purchased.

Python, on the other hand, provides plenty of syntactic sugar and works smoothly with ffi. Additionally, it offers the option to write fine points in C, improving productivity significantly.

Benchmarking programming languages can be a complex task, and the accuracy of these benchmarks depends on various factors. It's important to consider the methodology, hardware used, software optimizations, and the specific test cases employed in these benchmarks.

PHP 7 introduced significant performance improvements compared to previous versions, including faster execution times and reduced memory usage. Comparing PHP 7 with HHVM (HipHop Virtual Machine) is also interesting since HHVM was created by Facebook to improve PHP performance. However, keep in mind that benchmark results can vary depending on the specific use case and workload.

Regarding Python, it is generally considered to be a beautiful and expressive language with a focus on readability and ease of use. While Python may not always outperform PHP or other languages in terms of raw speed, it offers other advantages such as a large and active community, extensive libraries, and a straightforward syntax that makes it easy to learn and write code.

When considering the value of convenience in a programming language, it's crucial to think about the specific requirements and goals of your project. Here are a few additional insights and explanations that might help clarify this matter:

1. Performance is not the only factor: While performance is important, it's not the sole criteria for assessing the value of a programming language. Other factors like development speed, maintainability, community support, ecosystem, and scalability also play significant roles. Python, for example, is known for its simplicity, readability, and extensive library support, which can enhance productivity and code quality.

2. Use case matters: Different languages are designed to excel in specific domains or use cases. Python is often favored for tasks like web development, data analysis, scientific computing, machine learning, and scripting. PHP, on the other hand, has traditionally been associated with web development and has a strong presence in that domain. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each language in relation to your project's requirements can help you make an informed decision.

3. Consider trade-offs: Every programming language has trade-offs. While a language like Python may be slightly slower than PHP for certain tasks, it offers a more straightforward syntax, a larger community, and a wide range of libraries. These factors can contribute to faster development times and easier maintenance. Assessing these trade-offs and finding the right balance between performance and convenience is important.

4. Language performance can evolve: Programming languages are constantly evolving, with new versions and optimizations being released. As you mentioned, the transition from PHP 5.6 to PHP 7 brought significant performance improvements. Similarly, Python continues to evolve, and its performance can be enhanced through various techniques like using optimized libraries or just-in-time compilers. It's worth keeping an eye on the latest developments and updates for any language you're interested in.

points to consider:

1. Reliability and stability: The maturity and stability of a programming language can be crucial for long-term projects. Python, for example, has been around for decades and has built a robust ecosystem with extensive libraries and frameworks. PHP, especially with the recent improvements in PHP 7, has also matured and is widely used in web development.

2. Team expertise and familiarity: Consider the skills and expertise of your development team. If you have developers who are already proficient in Python or PHP, it may be more beneficial to leverage their existing knowledge rather than switching to a completely different language.

3. Community and resources: The availability of a supportive community and abundant learning resources is important when considering a programming language. Both Python and PHP have active and vibrant communities, which means you can find help, documentation, tutorials, and open-source libraries easily.

4. Language flexibility: Different languages have different strengths, and each one is better suited for specific types of projects or problem domains. Python's versatility makes it useful for a wide range of applications, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, and scientific computing. PHP, on the other hand, has historically had a strong focus on web development, with frameworks like Laravel and WordPress being popular choices.

5. Project requirements and constraints: The specific requirements and constraints of your project can heavily influence language selection. For example, if your project relies on certain frameworks or tools that are only available in one language, that might tip the scales in favor of that particular language.

Python and PHP are both popular programming languages, but they have different strengths and are commonly used in different domains.

Python is known for its simplicity, readability, and versatility. It has a clean and elegant syntax that makes it easy to learn and use. Python is often used in areas like web development, data analysis, machine learning, scientific computing, and scripting. It has a large and active community with extensive libraries and frameworks, such as Django and Flask, that make it efficient for building web applications.

PHP, on the other hand, is primarily designed for web development. It excels in server-side scripting and is widely used for building dynamic websites and web applications. PHP has a focus on performance and efficiency, particularly with recent advancements like PHP 7. It has a vast ecosystem of frameworks, including Laravel and Symfony, which provide developers with powerful tools for creating robust web applications.

Choosing between Python and PHP depends on your specific needs and goals. If you are focused on web development and want a language specifically tailored for building dynamic websites, PHP may be a better choice. On the other hand, if you are interested in a more versatile language with a broader range of applications, Python may be a better fit.

Here are a few more points of comparison between Python and PHP:

1. Syntax and readability: Python is known for its clean and readable syntax, which makes it easier to write and understand code. PHP, while also designed to be easy to learn, can sometimes be considered less elegant due to its origins as a scripting language.

2. Community and ecosystem: Both Python and PHP have large and active communities, but they serve different purposes. Python has a strong presence in scientific computing, data analysis, and machine learning, with libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and TensorFlow. PHP, on the other hand, has a vast ecosystem specifically built around web development, with numerous frameworks, CMS platforms, and extensions available.

3. Performance: Historically, PHP had a reputation for better performance in web applications, especially with PHP 7's introduction of significant speed improvements. However, Python has made strides in performance as well, with projects like PyPy and Just-In-Time (JIT) compilers. While PHP still excels in specific web development scenarios, Python's increasing performance has made it more competitive in certain use cases.

4. Learning curve and ease of use: Python is often praised for its simplicity and readability, which makes it relatively easy to learn and use, especially for beginners. PHP, being more geared towards web development, may have a steeper learning curve for someone completely new to programming. However, both languages offer ample documentation, tutorials, and community support to aid learning.

5. Use cases: Python's versatility makes it well-suited for a wide range of applications, including web development, scientific computing, data analysis, machine learning, automation, and more. PHP, on the other hand, is primarily used for web development, particularly in building dynamic websites and server-side scripting.

 few more points of comparison between Python and PHP:

1. Scalability: When it comes to building large-scale applications, PHP has a proven track record of scalability and performance. It has been widely used for handling high-traffic websites, and its architecture is often optimized for efficient request handling. Python, while also capable of scaling, may require additional effort and architectural considerations for high-performance and scalability in certain scenarios.

2. Database connectivity: Both Python and PHP have strong support for connecting to various databases. However, PHP has traditionally been more closely associated with popular databases like MySQL due to its historical ties with web development. Python also has robust database integration capabilities through libraries like SQLAlchemy, allowing you to work with a wide range of databases.

3. Development speed: Python's simplicity and ease of use can contribute to faster development times, especially when building prototypes or smaller applications. The language emphasizes readability and encourages developers to write code that is concise and expressive. PHP, with its focus on web development, can be highly productive for creating web applications quickly, especially with the extensive libraries and frameworks available.

4. Community and job market: Python has experienced significant growth in popularity over the years, with a thriving community and a wide range of job opportunities. It is often chosen as a language for teaching programming and is widely adopted in industry and academia. PHP, while still widely used in web development, has seen some competition from other languages like Python, JavaScript, and Ruby. However, there are still ample job opportunities and an established PHP community.

5. Integration with other technologies: Python has strong integration capabilities with other technologies and platforms. It can be used for scripting, automation, and building APIs, thanks to frameworks like Flask and Django. Python also has solid support for scientific computing and data analysis, making it a popular choice in fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning. PHP, on the other hand, excels in web development and has extensive integration with popular web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.