How to Be PHP Developer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 11, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The increased demand for PHP developers has caused a surge in the number of people seeking to specialize in the technology. This in turn has led to a competitive job market, with employers often requiring applicants to have higher levels of expertise in order to stand out. As a result, prospective PHP developers must invest time and effort into understanding the language, its frameworks and libraries, and building a portfolio of past work to demonstrate their proficiency. Additionally, knowledge of web development technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript can be beneficial to those looking to specialize in PHP.

Steps How to Become

Learn the basics. Start by learning the fundamentals of PHP, such as variables, control statements, functions, and arrays.
Get familiar with the syntax. Learn the syntax of PHP, such as how to write comments, write code blocks, define functions, and use basic operators.
Understand HTML. Understanding HTML is also essential to becoming a successful PHP developer, as HTML is often used in combination with PHP.
Learn about databases. To become a full-fledged PHP developer, you need to learn about databases and how to interact with them using PHP.
Practice. Practice writing code in PHP and playing around with it until you get comfortable with the language.
Get familiar with frameworks. Frameworks are an important part of modern web development, and learning one such as Laravel or Symfony can help you become a better PHP developer.
Join a community. Joining a community of PHP developers can help you stay up to date on industry trends, ask questions, and learn from others.
Keep learning. Technology is constantly changing and evolving, so its important to keep up with the latest trends and technologies in order to stay competitive.

In order to stay updated and qualified as a PHP developer, it is important to stay on top of the latest trends in web development. This can be done by attending webinars, reading industry related blogs, and staying active in online forums. Additionally, it is beneficial to practice coding regularly and take courses to expand your knowledge of programming. By doing these things, you can stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends in the industry, which will help you to stay competitive and qualified as a PHP developer.

You may want to check Android Developer, IOS Developer, and Mobile App Architect for alternative.

Job Description

Design, develop, and implement web applications using PHP.
Write efficient and reliable code using best practices for security and performance.
Develop database-driven applications, create and maintain databases, and optimize database performance.
Integrate existing systems with new features and functionality.
Troubleshoot and debug applications.
Develop and maintain internal tools and frameworks.
Collaborate with other teams to ensure successful integration of new features and applications.
Stay up to date with the latest technologies and industry trends.
Participate in code reviews to ensure the quality of code produced.
Provide technical support and guidance to other team members.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong knowledge in OOP, MVC and other software design patterns.
In-depth understanding of web technologies, including HTML, JavaScript, CSS, AJAX, etc.
Proficient in server-side scripting language such as PHP, Perl, and Python.
Experience in database design and development, including MySQL and MongoDB.
Good knowledge of version control systems like Git and SVN.
Ability to create and maintain RESTful web services.
Understanding of security principles and secure coding practices.
Ability to debug and optimize code for maximum performance and scalability.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Excellent communication skills and analytical problem solving skills.

Having a strong knowledge of the PHP programming language is essential for any PHP developer. It is the basis for all of their work and allows them to effectively create dynamic web applications and websites. Knowing how to properly write, debug, and maintain code is not only important but also fundamental to success in this field.

Being able to understand and use object-oriented programming techniques is also essential for any serious PHP developer. Having experience in working with databases and HTML/CSS is also important as these are commonly used in development. Lastly, having excellent communication and problem solving skills are equally important as they are needed to effectively collaborate with other team members and solve problems that arise.

In conclusion, having a strong knowledge of the PHP programming language along with experience in working with databases, HTML/CSS, object-oriented programming techniques, excellent communication, and problem solving skills are all important attributes for any successful PHP developer.

UI Developer, Cloud Solutions Architect, and Network Developer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have developing web applications with PHP?
What techniques do you use to debug and optimize your code?
What have been your greatest challenges and successes when developing with PHP?
How do you ensure that your PHP code is secure?
What is your experience working with databases such as MySQL?
What frameworks have you used and how comfortable are you with learning new frameworks?
How do you handle conflict resolution when working with other developers?
What approaches do you use to ensure scalability and performance in your applications?
Are you comfortable working with version control systems such as Git or Subversion?
Do you have any experience with object-oriented programming in PHP?

Common Tools in Industry

PHP Composer. Package manager for PHP, used to manage dependencies and libraries (eg: Symfony).
PHPUnit. Unit Testing Framework for PHP, used for writing automated tests (eg: testing a function output).
Xdebug. Debugging and Profiling Tool for PHP, used to detect errors (eg: memory leak).
PHPStorm. IDE for PHP Development, provides features such as code completion, syntax highlighting and debugging (eg: setting breakpoints).
PhpDoc. Documentation Generator for PHP, used to generate API documentation from source code (eg: for libraries).
MySQL Workbench. Database Design and Development Tool for MySQL, used to design and manage databases (eg: creating tables).
Version Control Systems (VCS). Software used to track changes in source code over time (eg: Git or Subversion).
Apache or Nginx Web Servers. Web Servers used to host web applications (eg: running a website).

Professional Organizations to Know

PHP Architect
PHP Round Table
PHP UK Conference
The PHP Community
PHP Classes
The PHP Group
International PHP Conference
PHP users Group
The PHP League
Zend Technologies

We also have Virtual Reality (VR) Developer, Front-End Developer, and Robotics Developer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

HTML. Hypertext Markup Language, a markup language used for creating webpages.
CSS. Cascading Style Sheets, a style sheet language used for describing the look and formatting of a document written in a markup language.
JavaScript. An object-oriented scripting language primarily used to create client-side dynamic webpages and applications.
SQL. Structured Query Language, a database computer language designed for managing data held in relational database management systems.
APIs. Application Programming Interfaces, a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications.
PHP. Hypertext Preprocessor, a scripting language designed for web development, used to produce dynamic webpages.
AJAX. Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technique for creating interactive web applications by loading data from a server without reloading the page.
MVC. Model-View-Controller, an architectural pattern used for developing software applications, separating an application into three main components: model, view, and controller.
Web Services. A programmable application interface that provides services over a network.
Frameworks. A software framework used to build and deploy web applications, providing structure and support for the development process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a PHP Developer?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a PHP Developer is $81,757 per year in the United States.

What skills are necessary for a PHP Developer?

A PHP Developer should have knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and SQL. They should also be familiar with object-oriented programming, web development frameworks, and version control tools.

What is the job outlook for PHP Developers?

The job outlook for PHP Developers is expected to be strong over the next decade. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16% job growth through 2029.

What type of companies hire PHP Developers?

Many types of companies hire PHP Developers, such as web development companies, software companies, IT departments, and e-commerce businesses.

What qualifications do I need to become a PHP Developer?

To become a PHP Developer, you should have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. You should also have experience with HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and SQL.

Web Resources

IT-PHP Professional Web Developer Certificate | Madison College madisoncollege.edu
FCIT. | PHP Web Developer - Punjab University College of pucit.edu.pk
(PDF) Web Development Using PHP | Sahil Showkat - Academia.edu www.academia.edu