I have been working as a web developer for a while now, mainly using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. However, my knowledge in these areas is quite basic. I've come to the realization that it's time to move away from relying on Wordpress and instead develop something of my own. One logical solution is to build a custom CMS (Content Management System) that suits my specific needs.

This brings me to the question of which programming language would be better suited for this task: PHP or Python. As a beginner, I lack the expertise to fully understand the differences between them. Speaking of my requirements, I need the CMS to have certain capabilities, such as seamless database interaction allowing for manipulation of data within lists, tables, rows, and the ability to dynamically build a table on the client side based on parameters, while being able to partially or fully modify its structure.

Additionally, I need the CMS to handle file uploads, automatically rename files before storing them in a designated directory. Lastly, it should support the creation of pages with multi-level hierarchical navigation. I'm torn between choosing PHP, known as the king of server languages, and Python, which is praised for its simplicity (though it does have difficulties transitioning from version 2 to version 3). I would greatly appreciate your guidance and advice on this matter, so I don't have to rely solely on Google for answers.

Choosing the right programming language for your custom CMS depends on several factors, including your familiarity with the language, the specific requirements of your project, and the available resources and community support. Here's a comparison of PHP and Python based on the requirements you mentioned:

Database Interaction:
Both PHP and Python have robust database interaction capabilities. PHP has been traditionally used for web development and has widespread support for interacting with databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and others through native extensions or popular libraries like PDO and mysqli. Python also offers excellent database support with libraries such as SQLAlchemy, Django ORM, and Flask-SQLAlchemy. Overall, both languages are well-suited for seamless database interaction.

Dynamic Table Creation:
Both PHP and Python provide libraries and frameworks that allow you to dynamically build tables on the client-side based on parameters. PHP has frameworks like Laravel and CodeIgniter that make dynamic table creation relatively straightforward. Python has Django, Flask, and other frameworks that also offer similar capabilities.

File Uploads and Management:
PHP has built-in features and functions for handling file uploads and renaming files before storing them in designated directories. Python, on the other hand, provides libraries like Flask-Uploads and Django File Uploads for file handling tasks. Both languages can efficiently handle file uploads and management.

Multi-level Hierarchical Navigation:
Creating pages with multi-level hierarchical navigation is possible in both PHP and Python. PHP frameworks like Wordpress have built-in support for creating hierarchical navigation menus. Python frameworks like Django and Flask offer similar capabilities for building navigation menus.

Considering simplicity, Python does have an easier learning curve compared to PHP, especially if you're new to programming. However, PHP has a massive community and extensive documentation due to its long-standing popularity in web development. The transition from PHP 5 to PHP 7 might require some adjustments, but it is generally less challenging than transitioning from Python 2 to Python 3.

Performance: In terms of performance, PHP typically has an advantage because it is specifically designed for web development. PHP is known for its speed and efficiency in processing web requests. Python, on the other hand, is a general-purpose language that can be slower compared to PHP in certain scenarios. However, the performance difference may not be significant for most CMS applications unless you have specific performance requirements.

Ecosystem and Community: PHP has a vast ecosystem and a large community of developers due to its long-standing presence in web development. There is abundant documentation, forums, and libraries available to support PHP development. Python also has a strong and growing community with a wide range of libraries and frameworks. While PHP offers more CMS-specific tools and platforms like WordPress and Drupal, Python has frameworks like Django, Wagtail, and Mezzanine specifically tailored for content management.

Scalability: Both PHP and Python are capable of building scalable applications. PHP has proven to be highly scalable and can handle large-scale web applications. Python, with frameworks like Django and Flask, also provides scalability options and can handle high traffic websites. The choice of language alone does not limit your ability to scale your CMS.

Code Reusability: Python is often praised for its code readability and reusability. It has a clean syntax and emphasizes writing elegant, maintainable code. PHP has come a long way in improving its code quality with the introduction of modern frameworks and coding standards like PSR. However, if code reusability and maintainability are top priorities, Python might have a slight edge over PHP.

Integration with Other Technologies: Consider the other technologies you plan to use alongside your CMS. PHP has extensive integration capabilities with popular web technologies like Apache, Nginx, and MySQL, making it easy to set up and deploy your CMS. Python has its own set of integrations and libraries for various web servers, databases, and services. Make sure to evaluate whether your preferred language has good integration support for the technologies you plan to use.

Learning Resources: Consider the availability of learning resources for each language. PHP has been around for a long time and has a vast amount of tutorials, documentation, and online courses available for beginners. Python also has a strong learning ecosystem with countless resources, tutorials, and a supportive community that is known for its beginner-friendly approach.

Integration with Front-end Technologies: Since you mentioned HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as your primary tools, it's important to assess the integration capabilities of each language with front-end technologies. Both PHP and Python can work effectively with front-end frameworks, libraries, and tools. However, PHP has historically been more closely associated with web development, so there might be more existing integrations and resources available for PHP in this regard.

Development Speed: Consider the speed at which you can develop your CMS using each language. PHP was designed specifically for web development, making it quick to set up and start building applications. Python, although not specialized for web development, has a concise syntax and a large number of libraries and frameworks that can help speed up development. Ultimately, the development speed will depend on your familiarity with the language and the specific tools you choose to use.

Community Support: The size and activity of the developer community for each language can greatly impact your development experience. PHP has an enormous community due to its widespread adoption in web development for many years. This means there are large forums, communities, and resources available to help you troubleshoot problems or seek advice. Python also has a strong and active community, with numerous conferences, meetups, and online forums where you can connect with other developers.

Job Market: If you're considering the potential career opportunities related to your CMS development skills, it's worth looking into the job market for both PHP and Python developers. PHP has traditionally been a popular choice for web development jobs, especially in the context of CMS platforms like WordPress. However, Python has been gaining popularity and is widely used in various domains beyond web development, such as data science, machine learning, and automation.

Security: Both PHP and Python have security measures in place, but PHP has often been associated with more security vulnerabilities in the past. However, with the introduction of modern frameworks and coding practices, PHP has significantly improved its security. Python, on the other hand, has a reputation for prioritizing security and has built-in security features like input sanitization. In practice, the level of security depends on how well you follow best practices and maintain your code, regardless of the programming language.

Development Speed: Python is known for its simplicity and ease of use, which can lead to faster development times. Its clean syntax and extensive library support enable developers to write concise code, reducing the development effort required. PHP is also relatively fast to develop with, especially when using frameworks that provide scaffolding and predefined functionalities. Assess your project's timeline and complexity to determine how important development speed is for your CMS.

Job Market and Future Opportunities: The job market for both PHP and Python is strong, but PHP has historically had more opportunities due to its widespread use in web development. However, Python is gaining popularity across various domains, including web development, data science, machine learning, and more. Consider the long-term viability and potential future opportunities associated with each language when making your decision.

Codebase and Community Support: PHP has a large codebase and an extensive community supporting it. This means you can easily find solutions to common problems and leverage existing PHP libraries, frameworks, and plugins to enhance your custom CMS. Python, while not as extensive as PHP in terms of codebase, also has a vibrant community with a wide range of libraries and packages. Assess the availability of relevant resources and community support specific to your project needs.

Hosting and Server Compatibility: PHP is well-supported by most hosting providers, and many popular Content Management Systems like WordPress and Drupal are built on it. Python, while still widely supported, may require more setup and configuration on certain hosting platforms. Check hosting provider documentation to ensure your choice of language aligns with your server setup requirements.

Ultimately, the best choice between PHP and Python will depend on your specific project requirements, your comfort level with the language, the existing ecosystem and community support, and any other considerations unique to your situation. It can be helpful to create a small prototype or experiment with both languages to get a better sense of how they fit your needs.

he specific programming language itself isn't the most important aspect. What matters is how well you comprehend the underlying processes and anticipate potential scenarios. While certain languages may be better suited for specific tasks, almost all tasks can be accomplished in any language. Thus, understanding the fundamental processes holds more significance than knowledge of particular languages. To put it simply, if someone asks you how to pass something, but you don't know the answer, you won't be able to explain it even in your native language. However, if you do know, then regardless of whether you have a dictionary or not, you can explain it in any language.

Since you are already familiar with WordPress, consider learning PHP. As for a framework recommendation, I suggest using CodeIgniter as it is the simplest one.

I don't recommend delving into Python or other languages at the moment. PHP, even without frameworks, is designed specifically for web development and simplifies the work process. It is relatively easy to grasp and perform basic operations such as database communication, query processing, the concepts of object-oriented programming (OOP), Model-View-Controller (MVC), and Design Patterns. Once you feel proficient in PHP and have a solid understanding of programming fundamentals, you can broaden your knowledge to include Python, Ruby, Java, and so on.

Furthermore, PHP offers ample job opportunities and more tasks to work on.

Based on my personal experience, I would advise against both writing your own content management system (CMS) and using a pre-made one, especially if you are a beginner developer. This means that creating a CMS just for the sake of having a CMS is not worthwhile. The reason is that when you try to apply it to a non-standard project, you may encounter limitations in the architecture, forcing you to resort to workarounds or "crutches." Consequently, after a few iterations, the CMS ends up being a collection of confusing and convoluted solutions.

From my more than ten years of experience, I have concluded that CMSs and libraries can be too restrictive. However, over time, a plethora of solutions for various typical tasks has emerged. Now, when starting a new project, we can simply import classes and functions from our "experienced toolbox" and customize them to fit our specific needs. In essence, this is still a form of using workarounds, but without all the unnecessary baggage.

Therefore, my advice is simple: if you have the time available, start from scratch and write your code in a way that allows you to reuse it in future projects. However, don't strive for universality at all costs. It's better to make adjustments to a few methods in a class for each new project than to spend a whole day creating a generic class that caters to all possible scenarios. By the time you move on to the next project, you will have gained insights into the convenience or clumsiness of certain elements in your workarounds and may choose to refine them. As a result, your "toolbox of crutches" will continue to evolve and improve with each project, becoming more efficient and refined.