Is Python superior to PHP for backend in terms of speed and scalability?

PHP
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Is Python superior to PHP for backend development when it comes to speed, scalability, and performance?

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Impossible to quantify as there are far too many factors to incorporate. Just three off the top of my head are:

  • requirements of functionality - some things work better in PHP, others in Python
  • skills and knowledge of developer(s) working on project. An experienced PHP developer can develop a code base that is faster than one a novice python developer can do.
  • diligence of server admins to maintain versions of PHP and Python. Python by it’s history is newer so may be more likely to have the latest version of the interpreter on the server if the server hosts aren’t as diligent with keeping the language versions maintained.
3

With the processors and RAMs of modern servers, I’d say ‘No’. And if there is a difference in speed, it won’t be one that the human eye can see. We’re talking nanoseconds to microseconds at the most.

Also, scalability is determined by the database technique, not the operating language.

And you should always consider the general knowledge among programmers of the two systems. PHP is much more known than Python.

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PHP is much more known than Python.

Agree with everything you said but this.
In most surveys Python always come in the top 3 (if not in the top) of most popular languages.

For example, StackOverflow survey: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2024/technology

That majority of web apps outhere is written in PHP, yes.

PHP was developed to write web apps.

Python is a more generic language that can be used apart from webapps to write automation scripts, hacking tool, desktop, mobile, Machine Learning/AI, etc.

2 Likes
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Python is generally considered superior to PHP for backend development when it comes to scalability and versatility, especially for complex applications. While PHP may offer better performance in certain web-centric tasks and is highly optimized for server-side web development, Python’s rich ecosystem of frameworks like Django and FastAPI, along with its support for advanced technologies such as machine learning, makes it a more scalable and flexible choice for larger, high-demand applications. Python’s emphasis on readability and maintainability also contributes to better long-term performance and ease of scaling compared to PHP.

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You may be right, but let’s ask the OP @cobaxdua: does your question concern webdesign or a broader scope?

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@cobaxdua has left the building so this thread can end.

THREAD CLOSED.