JavaScript vs. PHP
Extends for Hypertext Preprocessor. It is the most widely used web application development language. It is commonly known as an open-source javascript scripting language. PHP code can be embedded into html files. The code is written between start and end processing instructions, i.e., in-between <?php> and ?>. PHP is a simple language for a newcomer too.
Although PHP and JavaScript are both used in web development, they serve completely different purposes. In some cases, PHP and JavaScript work together to achieve a common objective. The front-end of a website is handled by JavaScript, while the back-end is handled by PHP. Nevertheless, when they work independently, both can play an important role in web development. Popular and trending websites such as Facebook, Yahoo, and Flickr are built using JavaScript and PHP together.
Difference between JavaScript and PHP
| JavaScript | PHP |
| At present, it is a full-stack programming language. As a result, it can serve both client and server sites. | This is a server-side scripting language. Only the backend of the website is served by it. |
| It is faster but difficult to learn. | It is slower but easy to learn. |
| As an asynchronous programming language, it does not wait for the execution of input-output operations to complete. | This is a synchronous programming language. As a result, it waits for the input-output operation to be completed. |
| All web browsers, including Mozilla, Google Chrome, and many others, support it. | It is compatible with a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, etc. IIS, Apache, and Lighttpd web servers are supported. |
| It carries less securable code. | PHP code is highly securable. |
| Access to the database requires an environment. | Access to the database is easy and direct. |
| The code is written within <script>…<script> tags. | The code is written within <?php….?> tag. |
| In the past, Javascript was capable of creating interactive pages for clients. Currently, it is capable of developing real-time games and applications, as well as mobile applications. | PHP programs can generate dynamic pages, send and receive cookies, collect form data, etc. |
| The language is single-threaded. Thus, each and every input-output operation is concurrently carried out. | The language is multi-threaded. As a result, it blocks if multiple input-output operations are performed. |
| A javascript file is saved as a .js file. | Files are saved using the ‘.php’ extension. |
| The JS code can be embedded in HTML, XML, and AJAX documents. | PHP code can only be embedded in HTML. |
| It supports fewer features. | It supports more advanced features as compared to JavaScript. |
| Popular frameworks of JavaScript are Angular, React, Vue.js, Meteor, etc. | Among the most popular PHP frameworks are Laravel, Symfony, FuelPHP, CakePHP, etc. |
| Among the websites that use JavaScript are Twitter, LinkedIn, Amazon, etc. | PHP-based websites include WordPress, Tumblr, MailChimp, iStockPhoto, etc. |
