A developer is always imagined as regularly writing codes. It is good how much you can learn by coding and exploring the different dimensions of PHP. One can never learn if s/he is not willing to get your hands dirty. So, write the PHP codes for something that you like and do not be afraid of failures. Here are some few important tips that a PHP can use while development.
Take Benefit out of SQL Injection Cheat Sheet
SQL injection is a type of web application security in which an attacker can submit a database SQL command, which is executed by a web application. It is exposed by the backend database. SQL injection allows an attacker to create, read, update, alter or delete data stored in the backend database. It may attack if a web application utilizes user supplied data without proper validation or encoding as part of a command or query. An SQL injection attack may give access to sensitive information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers or other financial data.
So an Injection Cheat Sheet can provide a summary of everything a PHP developer needs to know about SQL injection. The SQL Injection Cheat Sheet contains all the essential concepts of an SQL injection attack.
Use a Framework
It is hard to hear the fact that many developers think that a framework is much slower than regular PHP code. One may experience a small learning curve in the beginning, but one may easily understand how the API of the framework works. It has incredible productivity and efficiency benefits. Using a framework forces the developers to use better web development patterns.
For example frameworks like CakePHP or CodeIgniter allows the developer to create PHP applications, without having to be an expert with PHP, which means that this framework behaves like a PHP training wheels that show what a PHP application should look like, etc. Also, developers should consider using a Joomla template framework.
Save time with good source editor
An editor can save a majority of his/her time. Syntax highlighting is a must and something you should be looking for as a software feature. Other bonuses include code hinting, code navigation, and builtin debugging tools. An example of a source code editor/IDE for PHP is phpDesigner.
Use a MySQL Administration Tool (Like phpMyAdmin)
Learn to administer your MySQL database using MySQL admin. Also, learn using a graphical user interface like phpMyAdmin to speed up database development and administration. phpMyAdmin is an excellent open-source database viewer/manager that allows viewing MySQL databases graphically. It helps to save time and prevent the developer from going through the command line. A developer can quickly build databases and tables, export your databases into SQL files, run SQL queries, optimize tables, check for issues, create MySQL database users and set up their privileges quickly, and much more.
Use single quotes instead of double quotes
Always try to use single quotes. In fact, it is more efficient to use single quotes in strings as the parser doesn't have to sift through the code to look for escaped characters. The double quotes might be a problem when HTML tags and their corresponding syntax are involved.
Don’t Overcomment Your Code
Commenting your scripts via proper documentation is a good practice, but is it necessary to comment on every single line? The answer is No. Comment the complicated parts of your source code so that when you revisit it later you’ll quickly remember what’s going, but don’t comment simple things such as your MySQL connection code.
The image below shows a good example of commenting.
The image below shows the bad example of commenting.
Use the braces
It becomes an absolute necessity to maintain clarity and readability in the code. Using braces makes your code less congested and minimizes the possibility of errors. The image below will explain the correct usage of braces.
Follow Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
OOP is essentially a method of programming. Objects are essentially classes that can be reused over and over again. OOP is faster, simpler, easier to debug, uses fewer server resources, less code, is faster loading, and more logical to work with once you figure out the basic principles.
So, these were some practice and valuable tips for a PHP Developer to follow. Always remember, one cannot become a good developer by reading. To become a good developer watch, someone developing. Write codes but make sure not to go and to code without interest. Build what you like, and you will be excited and interested.
Happy coding!
Author Bio
Ella Cooper works in a leading web development company as a programmer. Apart from programming she has a penchant for writing and thus she shares her development experience through blogging.