Introduction: PHP, the Web's Language
There are good reasons why PHP is the most popular language on the web.
The PHP Way of Life
Towards a modern, yet simple PHP
Let’s embrace a PHP that stays true to its roots — lightweight and efficient
Arrays: The preferred way to transfer data, simple and flexible
PHP arrays are easy to use, highly versatile, and incredibly flexible. They can store any type of data, are simple to manipulate, and efficient to iterate over.
Objects: Perfect for organizing code, best used with procedural logic
Pragmatism should always come first. An 'everything must be an object' approach adds unnecessary complexity and makes code harder to maintain.
Typing: Strong in principle, adaptable in practice, but never strict
Specifying parameter and return types is good, but strict typing makes code unnecessarily complicated.
Web Interfaces: Server-generated HTML is key to a fast, accessible Internet
For user-oriented websites, generate HTML on the server side using a template engine, and add progressive enhancement to improve the interface with minimal Javascript.
Databases: ORMs and NoSQL look like your friends, but SQL truly is
Beware of ORMs: their promise of simplicity often masks unnecessary complexity. Understand how relational databases work, and you'll see that SQL can become your best ally.
Frameworks: Good servants but terrible masters
Let’s reject the dogmatic overuse of needlessly large and complex frameworks.
Automated tests: Unit, integration, functional − Find your balance
Automated tests are your best defense against regressions. But 100% unit test coverage may be expensive… and still far from enough.
Micro-services: Highly unlikely you’ll need them
Except for very large teams, a monolithic application will always be faster to develop, easier to debug, more performant, and less expensive.
APIs: Challenge the habits
Webhooks over APIs, RPC over REST, HTTP Basic over JWT… Embrace simplicity over trends, pragmatism over fashion.
Security: The Non-Negotiable Basics
Security practices take discipline, but some are easier than you think.
The Manifesto
Click here to read the full PHP Way of Life Manifesto.
Also available in other formats:
Other Resources
Major external resources worth exploring
PHP Zen
A regularly updated collection of curated articles and resources aligned with the Manifesto.
Temma
The simple and efficient framework − easier than the big ones, more capable than the micro ones.
PHP The Right Way
An authoritative guide to modern PHP practices, providing best practices, coding standards, and resources for writing clean, effective PHP code.
PHP The Wrong Way
A satirical take on PHP development, humorously highlighting bad practices and common pitfalls to avoid.