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What it takes to be a versatile PHP developer

Updated: Oct 7, 2019

A PHP developer writes, tests, and maintains source code for applications, programs, and websites that use PHP - a scripting language on the server that is primarily used for business applications and web development. They also take care of writing, solving problems, testing and maintaining the code for computer programs. From January 2019, it is estimated that approximately 78.9% of all websites that use server-side programming are based on PHP. That is why there is a lot of demand for PHP developers in the software development market


What does a PHP developer do?


What it takes to be a versatile PHP developer

Job responsibilities and duties


A PHP developer takes on various tasks and job responsibilities, whether he works for a company or as a freelancer. Here is a list of the responsibilities of a PHP developer:


Code analysis - There is a comprehensive analysis of the requirements of the new or existing website. The developer meets with the development team to come up with new ideas for creating or reviewing the website and performs a feasibility study of those ideas to decide which to use. The developer also determines the functions and functionalities that must be included in the website and ultimately decides on the final design and layout of the site.

Development and database optimization - Developers use their technical knowledge for the actual development of the website. They also ensure that the website is dynamic in nature and that the necessary PHP script is embedded in it. They then check the website for database optimization.

Testing and implementation - PHP developers test the website to detect, assess and debug errors. They seek the registration from the management to complete the website and host it on the internet after they have been approved.

Maintenance and improvement of visibility - Regular maintenance and updates of the website are performed by the developer after it becomes active on the internet. He fine-tunes the functionalities of the website to improve the user interface and visibility to ensure that the site has a good impression for its users


The duties of PHP developers are correlated with the duties of other software developers. The duties of a PHP developer are:


  • Design, implementation and maintenance of the phases of PHP applications

  • Develop, test, implement and maintain application software

  • The development of technical designs for application development and application code for PHP programs

  • Participation in the architectural and software development activities of the development team

  • Analyze, program, test and debug software

  • Identification of production and non-production problems for the applications

  • Convert the requirements of a software to specifications

  • Sign up for changes to the software to improve application processes


Do you need to be a versatile PHP developer


The parties that want to offshore PHP developers are software development company owners and third-party offshore service providers. They have clients who are looking for well-rounded PHP developers who have the necessary education, training, experience, technical skills and soft skills. All of these features define a balanced PHP developer.


The characteristics of a well-rounded PHP developer:


Education - Most developers have an undergraduate degree in computer science, information technology, software engineering or other IT related fields. To prepare for a career in PHP development, the Bachelor's program must include courses in computer architecture, algorithms and data structures, object-oriented programming, operating systems, quantitative reasoning and web programming.

Training - An IT graduate pursuing a career in PHP development can do an internship of two to four months at IT companies where he or she can gain practical skills in a real working environment. He or she can also follow short-term PHP courses through online tutorials or lessons at school. The short-term courses that can be followed include PHP for beginners, PHP with MySQL, PHP with Laravel and object-oriented PHP. The best websites for learning PHP are Stack Overflow, Udemy, Codecourse, Stone River eLearning, PHP Manual, Killer PHP, PHP 101, Hacking with PHP, Tizag, Learn-PHP Interactive Tutorial, PHP: The Right Way, SitePoint PHP and PHP basics.

Technical skills - It has become essential for a PHP developer to have knowledge of Ajax, jQuery and MySQL. It is also important to be Full Stack developers with the skills to use JavaScript, CSS, and HTML to correctly code websites, because these skills enable them to correct the mistakes of a web designer. Skills in CakePHP (open source web framework) and PHPUnit (unit testing framework) have also become important. Other skills that are useful for them to learn are APIs, Unix / Linux and MVC Framework Architecture. All of these technical skills are important for developers, whether they work in a business environment or work freelance.

Work experience - The work experience of a well-rounded PHP developer depends on the level of the developer - junior, mid-level and senior developer. A junior developer has zero to two years of experience. A mid-level developer has two to four years of experience. A senior developer has five to eight years of experience, including extensive experience in solving problems of various complexities.


Soft skills

The soft skills are a combination of personal attributes and characteristics, communication skills, social skills, people skills and emotional and social intelligence that employees need to succeed in the workplace. These soft skills apply to PHP developers because they work in team-oriented environments where collaboration and coordination are essential. Soft skills are just as important as technical skills to make a well-rounded PHP developer.


A PHP developer must have the following soft skills:


Troubleshooting - Many problems are detected during the software development lifecycle process. The developer must know how the problem can be identified and analyzed and must come up with possible solutions. He or she and the development team then select which solution is the best.

Critical thinking - This is the assessment of the facts and details of a particular problem before the best solution is determined and implemented. By thinking critically, a developer can mentally test a solution before choosing the most efficient one.

Adaptability - This refers to the openness of a developer to learn new skills and acquire additional responsibilities. Adaptability allows a developer to adapt to changing situations and to respond positively to comments and criticism of the results of his or her results.

Empathy - This allows developers to fully understand the issues facing their team and to work together to find solutions. Moreover, empathy with the intended users of the software enables developers to view things from their point of view, so that they can understand what they need to develop software.

Continuous learning - Learning is a continuous process. As developers move from one company to another, they must continue to improve their skills and knowledge. They can also gain additional knowledge through the guidance of more experienced colleagues.

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