PHP or .NET – which of them will define the success of your next project?

Selection of the particular language or technology for a digital product can become the crucial point defining the future serviceability of the launched product. One of our previous customers could not select one among the two – PHP and .NET. To prevent possible hassles in future, we share the comprehensive article with a comparison of these two languages. Compare pros and cons, check which of them suits your goals in the best way and launch your future product with the best tools. 

We have selected PHP and .NET since these languages are the most popular in the development of extensive and complicated systems, applications, websites. Though, each of them has specific points and areas of application where they can show their strongest points. So, let us move to our first competitor – PHP.

PHP – description and how to apply

Description

PHP – is the open-source server language for scenarios. It was developed in 1995 and uses C and C++ as the core languages. Basically, PHP is the mix between a programming language and a web framework. It currently supports Windows, Linux, macOS. 

Principles, characteristics

The focus of the products developed with PHP is on client-facing and user interfaces which defines its main principle – visual clarity. If only the designers create something unusual and uncommon.

It is supported by most hosting providers and is commonly used for the creation of server-side web applications.

The clear syntax makes the language a starting point for numerous developers entering this business. The developer should not describe the variables, applied modules to run the minimal script.  

Development environment, frameworks

As an independent coding language, PHP has several frameworks that separated from it and found their own development path. They include Symfony, Laravel, Yii, CodeIgniter, CakePHP, Phalcon PHP. 

Database

Allows connection of most of the current databases, such as MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle Database, Redis and others.

Prices for development

As far as the language is distributed with an open-source licence its use requires limited funds. 

The project’s size varies from small to large, as the result, the total cost for the development can change greatly as well.

Security

As far as PHP is rather flexible and passed a long way from its development start, sometimes there can arise some security issues in architecture. Though, current methodologies help to avoid most of them. The projects of the same difficulty can be developed differently that depends mostly on the skills of the particular developers performing this task, especially as for Laravel development services. 

Project size, specifics of the project

Great for small, medium and large projects. Can successfully handle the high load without slowing down other processes. The clear modular architecture allows building additional functional scope in parallel along with the live product.

PHP in brief

Pros

• Has a big community of developers who can help;
• Requires basic knowledge in coding to start working;
• Highly scalable and offers numerous options for customization;
• Great both for big and small projects.

Cons

• Not suitable for developing desktop and mobile apps;
• Sometimes broad customization leads to a bigger number of bugs;
• Supports a limited number of languages, mostly C and C#.

.NET – description and how to apply

Description

.NET – a licensed platform for various applications and websites development. Was launched in 2002 by Microsoft. Currently became an open-source cross-platform service (.NET Core) that supports Windows, Linux, Android, macOS, iOS, tvOS, watchOS and processors architecture x64, x86, ARM32, ARM64. 

Principles, characteristics

The basic principle was defined by Microsoft – to provide the maximal level of freedom to the developer by allowing them to create applications of different types that can run on various devices and in various environments. 

The use of C# language as the basis defines the strict type design leading to less divergence, and as a result, code errors. Moreover, before the final compilation, the code is checked for mistakes, if any errors are found, the entire project would not compile.  

It has a special garbage collector that runs in particular periods and removes unused files saving memory in such a method. This memory is allocated and used for new objects. 

Development environment, frameworks

Numerous IDEs allow code creation: Visual Studio (Windows, macOS), Visual Studio Code (cross-platform), SharpDevelop, MonoDevelop, JetBrains Rider.

.NET supports the following languages: C, C++, C#, F#, Visual Basic. 

Database

Allows connection of most of the current databases, and interaction with them through SQL requests and with the help of Entity Framework. 

Prices for development

The initial development requires a subscription fee on Visual Studio Professional Enterprise for business users. Individual persons or non-corporate organizations can use this tool for free. Besides, in the case of development on Windows, it is obvious that a developer should have the licence for this operational system. 

Together with the fact that this framework is defined for large and medium-sized projects, that makes the price for the ready-made product grow respectively. 

Security

One of the initial goals of this framework composition was the provision of a high level of security and architecture stability. That lead to limited customization and a reduced number of critical bugs. The predefined security mechanism helps in managing memory as its secondary function. 

Project size, specifics of the project

Great for medium and large projects with complicated architecture and deep logic. 
Stands high load if the architecture was properly created by the developer.

.NET in brief

Pros

• Has a big community of developers who can help;
• Serves as cross-platform framework;
• Prevents errors during compilation and informs about them;
• Makes development faster with pre-defined blocks;
• Shows a special attitude to security.

Cons

• Difficult to learn and start working;
• Costs a bit more due to the higher price for developers;
• Not every possibility available in .NET Framework 4 is already available in .NET 5.

The overall comparison of PHP and .NET – practical application

Though it is rather complicated to parallel these self-consistent techniques, the complementary table describing weak and strong points is below. What is general for PHP project and .NET is that they are good in performance and scalability. Both found their recognition in high-load projects with constantly developing architecture. 

It would be easier to separate and analyse the features of each technique by comparing them in a single comprehensive table: 

Based on these points, it would be rather easy to define the particular technology suitable for your product. Nevertheless, using any of these technologies, it is possible to develop the product of the highest and lowest quality. The main defining point – is the developer and their skills. Choose one who has enough experience and is ready to solve the particular tasks of the business, no matter the technique.