Like consumer applications, enterprise applications also need to deliver optimal user experience. But enterprise applications are developed with the aim to make employees productive and processes efficient. Hence, enterprises want to develop the custom software applications in the best programming language. The programmers have option to write enterprise software applications in a number of programming languages including Java and PHP. Java is a general purpose programming language, whereas PHP is used widely as a server-side scripting language. Java is a compiled programming language, whereas PHP is an interpreted programming language.
The programmers can write enterprise desktop applications in Java as well as use Java as a server-side programming language while developing enterprise web applications. At the same time, they can also use Java to build enterprise mobile apps for Android mobile platform. Many programmers use PHP as a general purpose programming language. But a large percentage of software developers use PHP as a robust server-side scripting language. It simplifies enterprise application development by generating content dynamically and interacting with databases efficiently. Hence, the developers must keep in mind the major differences between Java vs PHP to choose the right programming language for enterprise application development.
Java vs PHP for Enterprise Application Development
Programming Paradigm Support
PHP was originally developed as a simple programming language to simplify web form creation and database connectivity. But the programming language has been evolving consistently. PHP 5 supported object-oriented programming (OOP). Hence, many websites nowadays use PHP as an object-oriented programming language. Like PHP, Java also supports object oriented programming paradigm. But Java 8 supports a number of functional programming paradigms like lambda expressions and anonymous functions. Likewise, Java 9 enables programmers to write modular and maintainable software applications by providing a module system. Hence, many programmers prefer Java to PHP, while building enterprise applications, to take advantage of modern programming paradigms.
Code Execution
The developers can execute PHP code in a number of ways. They can embed PHP code in HTML code using the script tag. Otherwise, they can execute the PHP code through a web framework or content management system. But no developer can write enterprise applications in PHP without using a robust web framework. Also, an interpreter processes PHP code which is there as a module in the web server. On the other hand, the Java source code is complied into byte which is executed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). As JVM is executed by CPU, a Java application runs smoothly on various devices or platforms without code recompilation. JVM further enables Java developers to port Java-based enterprise applications from one environment to another.
Performance and Speed
Often developers have to build enterprise mobile applications to simplify complex business processes and operations. Likewise, some businesses require programmers to write enterprise applications to be accessed by a large number of employees simultaneously. A number of studies suggest that Java is much faster than PHP. A large number of employees can access an enterprise application written in Java simultaneously and efficiently. Also, Java uses multiple threads to manage and process multiple instruction sequence quickly and simultaneously. However, PHP 7.x enables developers to speed up enterprise applications while reducing memory consumption.
Web Application Development
PHP is one of the programming languages with built-in web development capabilities. At present, it is more popular than other web programming languages. The PHP web developers can further simplify and accelerate web-based enterprise application development by taking advantage of several PHP frameworks and libraries. Despite being a general purpose programming language, Java finds widespread use as a server-side programming language. The developers can further use Nashhorn JavaScript engine to integrate Java seamlessly with the popular client-side scripting language. They can even accelerate web-based enterprise application development by taking advantage of robust web frameworks for Java programming language.
Security
PHP lacks some of the built-in security features provided by other programming languages. Hence, developers have to avail the security features and mechanism provided by various PHP frameworks to protect the enterprise application from targeted malware attacks. On the other hand, each new version of Java comes with advanced security features to protect enterprise application and data. Java 9 comes with exciting features: it allows developers to make the client and server exchange data over secure protocols. While developing enterprise applications, many developers prefer Java to PHP to take advantage of its robust security features.
Enterprise Mobile App Development
Most enterprises nowadays allow employees to bring and use their own mobile devices. They even launch enterprise mobile apps to make employees perform business operations efficiently and access business data securely. Java is currently one of the two official programming languages for Android application development. Hence, developers can use Java directly for building enterprise mobile apps. On the other hand, PHP cannot be used directly for enterprise mobile app development. The developers have to use specific frameworks to write mobile apps in PHP. Also, they need to invest additional time and effort to write mobile apps in PHP.
Software Development Cost
PHP is an open source technology. Hence, developers can use PHP without paying any licensing fees. Also, they can customize the server-side scripting language according to precise needs of each enterprise application development project. Likewise, they can use open source PHP frameworks to accelerate enterprise application development without increasing project overheads. On the other hand, Java is neither open source nor free. But Oracle allows users to choose from several editions of Java – SE and EE. Also, the robust enterprise application development tools for Java are available as licensed software. Hence, the enterprise application development cost will increase when the programmers opt for Java. On the other hand, many developers opt for PHP to curtail development cost while building enterprise applications for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
On the whole, both Java and PHP find wide use for enterprise application development. But Java is a general purpose programming language, whereas PHP is a robust server-side programming language. Also, it of these two robust programming languages for enterprise application development has its own strengths and weaknesses. Hence, the developers must compare Java and PHP according to the type, nature, and requirements of individual enterprise application development.