PHP is one of those languages both derided and loved in equal measure, with those who hate it still usually giving it the grudging respect it deserves. Because it is used in the creation of WordPress and the plugins that provide that particular CMS with such a tremendous amount of flexibility, it also happens to be one of the most well-used programming languages worldwide. Because this is the case, there are plenty of new users seeking to create their very own plugins to sell, as well as those on the hidden side of the internet who need to make some server-side script to remedy an issue. However, the reason we said it is loved and hated in equal measure is due to the…complexity of the syntax, which can throw those coming from other languages off a tad. This post aims to help those at the start of their PHP coding life avoid the most common mistakes so that they can focus on the task at hand rather than constantly combing through code based on info derived from Stack Overflow!
Not Handling Errors Properly
Even the most greenhorn PHP programmer (or indeed that of any language) should understand that failing to handle eros adequately can lead to some pretty catastrophic issues down the line (think poor UX at best and severe security issues at worst). Most folks just dabbling would be better placed to hire the pros to perform most of the heavy lifting in this regard, as error handling is so vital to almost every aspect of whatever it is you’re trying to achieve using PHP. You can click here to find out more about this, but the primary point is that unhandled errors can result in abrupt application crashes or unintended behavior, frustrating users and potentially driving them away. Enforcing proper error-handling means, such as try-catch blocks, custom error handlers, and logging, can really help you ensure that the worst errors are managed effectively. If you want to go it alone, you should opt to use specialist error-tracking systems that can keep you informed and updated on any issues that you might have missed or perhaps never even thought of.
Ignoring Code Readability Practices
Although you don’t necessarily need to craft sublime code that is flawlessly readable to both humans and compliers alike, ignoring some best practices can leave you open to criticisms among peers and possibly even an inability to scale a project up if the need arises. Essentially, just as a book that has been written in some form of pidgin English might be challenging for most people to read and understand (even if it has the barebones of the structure), so too is it difficult for others to read and comprehend poorly written code. In fact, in many ways, it’s even more of a challenge because the syntax of PHP is already somewhat challenging for beginners. It can also make it almost impossible to debug an application, which is not an issue if you’re writing the code for yourself, but it will cause significant delays in development time and be a massive cause of frustration for other team members. Instead, you really ought to start where you intend to leave off, which in this case is learning how to code correctly, using proper syntax, and leaving messages to other developers where it makes sense. If you have already picked up some bad habits, you may find retribution by utilizing tools that can automatically enforce coding standards.
Poor Database Query Practices
Most PHP use cases involve some kind of database query, or at least will at some point during usage. This is especially true when developing applications that need to link back to a database to retrieve and use data. By not implementing proper database query instructions, you will severely degrade the usability of the app you’re creating, either from incredibly slow data retrieval or simply causing a loading screen that never ends for the user. The most common cause of this is neglecting to use proper indexing, which leads to the need for the code to perform a full table scan and slowing down the performance almost to a crawl (or a complete stop if the database contains enormous tables of data). To mitigate this, carefully design your database schema and write queries that minimize the number of joins and the size of datasets being processed.
Not Testing Code Thoroughly
When it comes to code, you should always follow the mantra of test, test, and test again. The more you take this step, the more it will become second nature and enable you to catch any issues before they become more serious.
PHP is a language that underpins much of the web and can be used for many applications. Nonetheless, it can be pretty complex for beginners to get to grips with, causing plenty of carriage along the way. This post has provided a few common issues that can typically arise and some ways to avoid them.