I've been building websites using Next.js for a while, but most of my projects are pretty straightforward—typically just a contact form as the most complex feature. I'm feeling like a lighter solution might be better for these cases. Although PHP has been around for a long time, I hear a lot of negative things about its security and capability. Are these concerns justified? Should I consider learning PHP for my projects?
2 Answers
Learning PHP can be fun and really gives you control over your backend. If your only goal is to whip up nice-looking sites quickly with just a contact form, then static site generators might be better. But PHP has helped me understand backend mechanics a lot better. Security issues mainly arise from poor coding practices, which you can avoid, especially with modern tools out there.
If you don't really need a backend, like a database or API, stick to static sites for easy stuff. But modern PHP is pretty great! A lot of the horror stories are from people who haven't actually worked with current PHP or just used it through WordPress. If you’re looking to improve your backend skills, learning the basics of PHP and checking out a framework like Laravel could be worth your time.
I get your point, but relying on AI for coding can be risky. You might not fully grasp how to maintain the code it generates. In terms of security, it's safer to code with a solid understanding rather than depending on AI.