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PHP vs Python vs Ruby on Rails

Updated: Aug 1, 2023

In web development, choosing the right programming language and framework is important to the success of any project. Among the options available, there are three most considered for web development: PHP Ruby on Rails, and Python. Each has its own strengths and features, making them popular choices for building dynamic web applications.


In this comprehensive comparison article, we will learn the difference between PHP vs Python vs Ruby, and explore their attributes, use cases, and performance. We will also examine the strength and weaknesses of each technology to help you make the best decision when it comes to selecting an ideal solution for your next web development venture.


Table of content:

What is PHP?

PHP vs Python vs Ruby

PHP is a widely-used server-side scripting language designed for web development. It stands for "Hypertext Preprocessor." PHP is embedded within HTML code and executed on the server to generate dynamic web content. It offers a vast array of functionalities and is especially well-suited for building web applications, websites, and content management systems (CMS).


What is Ruby on Rails?

PHP vs Python vs Ruby

Ruby on Rails, commonly referred to as Rails, is an open-source web application framework written in Ruby. Rails follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern, emphasizing convention over configuration to boost developer productivity. It offers a coherent set of tools and best practices that enable rapid development and easy maintenance of web applications. Ruby on Rails gained popularity due to its emphasis on developer happiness and its ability to simplify complex web development tasks.


What is Python?

PHP vs Python vs Ruby

Python is a versatile and high-level programming language known for its simplicity, readability, and wide range of applications. It is used in various domains, including web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, scientific computing, automation, and more. Python's elegant syntax and clean code structure make it easy to learn and maintain. It has an active and enthusiastic community, contributing to its extensive library support and vibrant ecosystem.


PHP vs Ruby vs Python: Advantages

PHP

Ruby

Python

Free software released under the PHP license

Open-source and works on multiple platforms

Easy and quick to learn

Easy to Learn (Short learning curve)

Can be embedded into HTML

Runs in multiple systems and platforms

Large community users and developers

A very high-level Language

Readable and organized syntax

Provides extensive database support

A clean and easy syntax that allows new developers to learn Ruby very quickly

offers rapid prototyping and dynamic semantics capabilities

Offers a great number of available source codes

Can easily be connected to DB2, MySQL, Oracle, and Sybase

Great Community support

Allows execution of code in a restricted environment

Scalable and bug Programs Written in Ruby are easily maintainable

Easily construct applications by testing and importing crucial functions

Offers native session management and extension API

It has a debugger and flexible Syntax

Reusability through carefully implementing packages and modules

A great alternative for competitors like Microsoft's ASP(Active Server Pages)

Able to write external libraries in Ruby or C

Object-Oriented Programming-driven

Works on almost every operating system and platform

Ability to write multi-threaded applications with a simple API

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PHP vs Ruby vs Python: Disadvantages

PHP

Ruby

Python

Not Suitable for making desktop applications

Learning it can be difficult

It doesn't really do multi-processor/multi-core work very well

error handling is traditionally poor

Lacks informational resources

Database access layer limitations

Global configuration parameters can change language semantics, complicating deployment and portability

Slower processing time(CPU time) compared to other programming languages

Absence of a commercial support point, even for an open-source project

Objects are CallByValue by default, which is the opposite of most languages and catches lots of programmers off-guard

Development and updates are slower

A smaller pool of Python developers compared to other languages such as Java

Considered to be less secure than the other programming languages

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Reputed to be slower than languages such as Java

The Difference: PHP vs Ruby vs Python

Factors

Python

PHP

Ruby

Language Type

General-purpose

Server-Side Scripting

Web Application Framework

Syntax

Readable and Clean

Simple and C-like

Concise and developer-friendly

Web Frameworks

Django, Flask

Laravel, Symfony, Codelgniter

Ruby on Rails

Use cases

Web development, data analysis, AI, automation, scientific computing

Web development, CMS, server-side scripting

Web application development, content management systems

Performance

Rich ecosystem with many libraries and frameworks

Rich ecosystem with many libraries and frameworks

Strong ecosystem, Rails convention over configuration

Template Engine

Jinja2, Mako, etc.

Smarty, Blade, etc.

ERB, Haml, Slim, etc.

Database Support

Extensive, including popular ORMs like SQLAlchemy

Extensive, includes MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.

ActiveRecord, Mongoid, etc.

Testing Frameworks

unittest, pytest, etc.

PHPUnit, Codeception, etc.

RSpec, MiniTest, etc.

Error handling

Uses exceptions for error handling

Uses custom error handling and exceptions

Uses exceptions for error handling


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