Websites and online applications built using PHP have the advantage of being the fastest and most popular server-side scripting language. Many programmers favor PHP over Python and Ruby, two other popular server-side languages. PHP has a large community, well-supported frameworks, extensive documentation, and a plethora of scripts that are ready to use. Several PHP development tools developed by professionals enhance the usage of the language and ease programmers' work. With the right PHP tools, an ideal Integrated Development Environment (IDE) can be created, allowing programmers to quickly create PHP applications that are engaging, imaginative, and packed with features.
There are many PHP tools available, hence choosing the correct one might be challenging. However, below are listed some of the top PHP development tools that you should consider.
Top PHP Development Tools
1. PHPStorm
When compared to other PHP development tools, PHPStorm is often considered to be the gold standard because of its lightweight, lightning-fast, and dynamic nature. This integrated development environment (IDE) for PHP is compatible with several well-known frameworks and CMSs, including Zend Framework, Symfony, Yii, Laravel, and CakePHP. Along with live editing, code refactoring, unit testing, and debugging, this IDE supports important front-end technologies such as CSS, HTML5, JavaScript, and more. In addition, developers may easily combine it with many technologies like databases, version control systems, composer, command line tools, rest client, and remote deployment.
2. NetBeans
Among integrated development environments (IDEs) for PHP applications, NetBeans has the most users. All the extensive capabilities are included in this tool, and it supports many languages. Although NetBeans was originally developed for Java, the latest version is more optimized for PHP development, quicker, and lighter. It comes with an add-on that makes it compatible with more languages, such as HTML5, C, and C++. Japanese, Russian, English, Brazilian Portuguese, and simplified Chinese are just a few of the languages it supports, and it also helps with building large-scale online programs. You may use this free and open-source PHP builder with Zend, Symfony 2, CakePHP, FuelPHP, Smarty, and WordPress CMS, among nearly all major PHP frameworks. Several tools tailored to building web applications with PHP 7 and later versions are available in the NetBeans PHP IDE.
3. CodeLobster
When it comes to integrated development environments (IDEs) for PHP, the community's favorite is CodeLobster, made by the Codelobster software company. Among the many PHP frameworks it is compatible with are CakePHP, Symfony, Laravel, CodeIgniter, Magento, Joomla, and Drupal. With CodeLobster IDE, you can simplify and expedite your development workflow. Thanks to its built-in autocomplete capabilities for HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and CSS, you won't have to keep track of each function, attribute, and tag name. You may do local code validation using its built-in PHP debugger. Not only that, but this PHP program can recognize the settings of your present servers and configure the files necessary to use the free debugger automatically. Important content management systems (CMSs) are also compatible with it.
4. Zend Studio
Zend Studio is admirable among web developers due to its exceptional speed. Developers won't have to spend any more time or energy writing or debugging code in Zend Studio. It integrates X-ray, Xdebug, and Zend Debugger to debug PHP programs; it supports PHP 7. The powerful capabilities of this all-inclusive PHP IDE allow for the deployment of applications to a wide range of servers, including those in the cloud. Eclipse plugins allow developers to expand Zend Studio.
5. Cloud 9
Among the many hundreds of languages supported by Cloud9, an open-source cloud-integrated development environment (IDE), are Python, C, C++, JavaScript, and PHP. Create web apps with tools like browser compatibility testing and live preview; developers can go right into writing in pre-configured environments called workspace. Collaborative coding capabilities allow them to work together with their peers. Thanks to our PHP IDE, you may work on your PHP projects regardless of where you are. It provides a faultless environment for developing server-less applications, letting you create resources, run server-less apps, and debug remotely. You can pair programs with your colleagues and keep tabs on all of their real-time inputs—all while sharing your development environment. Cloud9 makes it easy to construct server-less applications, so all you need is a browser and some code.
6. NuSphere PhpED
NuSphere's PhpED is a PHP development tool that is proprietary and integrated. A powerful PHP editor, profiler, debugger, database client, and code insight are all part of this integrated development environment (IDE) for PHP. This program gives programmers access to several features and adjustments that will streamline the web-building process as a whole. Using the commercial PHP accelerator known as PhpExpress, PhpEd shortens the time it takes to build applications. Web application and website developers will find this IDE to be an excellent choice. The framework provides extensive support for PHP 7.1 and is compatible with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS3. Code quality may be enhanced by the use of its refactoring capabilities. Developers may use PhpED to navigate the most popular PHP frameworks, including Yii, Zend, and Laravel.
7. Aptana Studio
The open-source PHP programming tool Aptana Studio integrates with a wide range of web technologies, both server-side and client-side. This includes languages and frameworks like as HTML5, CSS3, Ruby on Rails, and PHP. It facilitates the development of PHP applications by supporting debuggers and a command line interface. As a result, PHP developers may create and test web apps in the same setting. With it, you may personalize your IDE, SFTP, and FTP protocols. This robust web development framework takes use of Eclipse's flexibility and includes information on the extent of browser compatibility for each element. An appealing PHP-integrated development environment (IDE) with a plethora of useful features, Aptana Studio will help you get more done in less time.
8. Sublime Text
When it comes to text editors, Sublime Text is a top choice for PHP developers. Although it isn't an ideal integrated development environment (IDE), it may be transformed into a powerful editor for creating PHP applications by installing specific plugins and packages. This cross-platform source code editor naturally supports several programming and markup languages. Thanks to its feature-rich capabilities and outstanding concepts, the developer community regards the text editor as the best-integrated development environment (IDE) for PHP programming. Use the right key shortcuts to jump over symbols, words, or lines in this top-tier, fully customizable text editor with a unique user interface toolkit. On top of that, you are free to edit any line of code.
9. PHPDebugbar
PHPDebugbar is a versatile debugger that supports a wide variety of web apps and can be used with any project. The mainDebugBar object and data collectors and the render are the two components of this PHP development tool. There is a default set of collectors that come with a StandardDebugBar.
You can detect errors in HTML, JavaScript, and PHP. Additionally, PHPDebugbar can review your JavaScript code, monitor your network, and investigate CSS elements. It turns into a rather amazing open-source solution as it offers extra features developers wish for. If you need to profile data from any online app, it could be your best choice. With its help, you can easily make your collection or integrate existing ones.
10. Eclipse
Virtually every online search for "top PHP development tools" will include Eclipse somewhere in the results. It is one of the best PHP tools as it is a development tool alone. You can reduce the difficult PHP code and make it easier to create with the freedom to choose from a wide choice of plugins. In addition, it facilitates IDE customization and extension to meet project requirements. With this PHP IDE, you may create apps with or without a graphical user interface. Ideal for large PHP applications, this editor is cross-platform.
Conclusion
Every one of these tools has exceptional features and capabilities that make it easy and quick to create PHP websites. There are other options for PHP development tools out there as well both free and paid. But the "best PHP development tools" compiled here on the site will cover all your project needs.