Need help choosing a PHP editor? This article’s purpose is not to compare and contrast different editors but to give the reader information that can be used to make an informed decision as to which one is right for them.
The letters PHP started out to mean Personal Home Page but the programming language has grown far beyond that into fully functional graphical interfaces as well as powerful applications. Its ability to be weaved together with HTML, it’s incredibly easy to understand syntax and price tag of free has made PHP very widely used.
So your trying to pick an editor, here are a few things to consider:
Do you need an editor?
Not really, you can use almost any word processing program to create PHP code since it does not need to be compiled like other languages. Notepad, which comes with Microsoft Windows free, is a great easy to use tool for creating PHP and a number of other programming language codes as well. Think about this option before moving forward.
Can your computer support the new editor you have chosen?
It gets pretty frustrating when your looking for software to download and when its time to install you realize that you just wasted half your day on a program that was not designed for your computer. Sometimes the PHP editor you pick will not be compatible because your computer system doesn’t have enough RAM or ROM and in some cases your processor speed isn’t fast enough, but generally its because the editor wasn’t made for your operating system.
Whats your experience level?
If you’re new you will need something that is user friendly, intuitive, and sometimes free. If you’re a professional you may want to look for something a little more advanced with features that can save you time. Some of the best features to look for in any language editor is definitely auto recognition of certain key syntax you don’t want to continually type. Or highlighting syntax that has not been completed yet such as when you write loops and need to end them. Or in some cases the editors will complete the code for you.
Whats it Cost?
To pay for a package or to use free software is another big decision. Either way, before deciding, read the reviews from other users and ask yourself some questions.
Questions such as:
- How much?
- How many users are using it?
- Is there support if you need help?
- Is the support free or does it cost money?
- How new is the software?
- What operating systems or platforms does it support?
- Can I use it to program other languages or HTML?
- What are others saying about it?
In the end it’s up to you, the reader and PHP programmer to decide. Make sure the company is reputable and has a good following, it’s always good if the PHP editor has a following with forums where you can ask other users questions too. Good Luck!