Developing A PHP Code

The most basic level of writing PHP Development codes requires only a text editor and a suitable test environment. The installation of the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) environment can be simplified in any machine whether you are using Windows, Mac, or Linux.

PHP development tools come in different configurations according to enhancements offered by each PHP development company.  

·         Text.  A good programmer’s text editor will provide you the tools and formatting you need for even the most complex web applications.  This is a program that allows “plain text files” to be edited.  It can edit .txt, .html, .php, .cgi, and a whole lot more. Unlike word processing programs, this does not save any formatting or other information except the code itself.  Mac and window users can readily edit plain text files for people who are writing codes.  Each program varies features from the others like color-text display which makes it easier to notice mistakes, quick code buttons for showing previews, or uploading capabilities.

·         Integrated Development Environments (IDE).  These provide same capabilities as text editors with additional tools.  If your code needs a simple VI editor then you can live without a good PHP IDE, however, there are benefits of having one that can make you more productive and obtain quicker results.  A specialized PHP IDE organizes your files with advanced code editors.  It also has more features such as debugging that set breakpoints and a step by step test of your code; profiling which measures and improves your code performance; integrated web browser that tests your code inside the IDE; and source and database controls.

·         Frameworks.  More often frameworks are used in conjunction with an IDE so they are basically not like the previous approaches.  They streamline PHP development of web applications by providing basic structures to build them.  They promote rapid application development (RAD) which reduces the repetitive coding amount and helps build more stable applications.

Keeping a suitable testing tool is also essential.  While a good PHP development company has to be well-versed with LAMP, the good news is that a programmer like you doesn’t have to be in order to get an environment running on your computer.  If you are running Windows for example, the Linux part is already taken cared of without affecting your Windows environment.  This would readily be accessible from the Program Files folder.

After these two simple features, the next ones are more crucial.  Some people would write or copy a bunch of codes but don’t have any idea on what to do just in case the code doesn’t work.  This is where debugging tools and strategies come in.

 Identify any syntax errors in your code.  Previously, executing PHP program ceases if there are any  errors.  However, having a PHP interpreter can do the trick.  Run the interpreter to find errors but you    may have to fix problems one at a time.  Errors become easier to debug as you gain experience working with PHP.  Some errors won’t be detected until several lines are already added and you have to work backwards to find out what is missing or erroneous.  If problem still remains unresolved then use a debugging package with more sophisticated capabilities or seek advice from a PHP development company.