PHP programming is the most widely used programming language for Web applications. Many of the most popular websites today are built on PHP, while others contain scripts and projects built on this acclaimed programming language. Since its inception in 1995, PHP programming has become the favorite of all web developers. Every second web application has been made on the PHP platform, making it mandatory for a web developer to have some tricks up his or her sleeve: the more in-depth the knowledge, the more satisfying the result. You, too, can improve your proficiency and make your codes more responsive by having some aces up your sleeve.
Here are some tips and tricks that PHP users can incorporate into their projects:
Use a Cheat Sheet of SQL Injection
Using an SQL injection can make your web applications more secure and foolproof. Every web developer should be aware that good security practices are important in today’s web world. SQL injection will not allow any escape output so that it cannot be misinterpreted. Using an SQL injection also filters input so that malicious content cannot gain a backdoor entry into your website.
Know Your Comparison Operators
While using PHP, you should know the difference between comparison operators. This is mainly because a non strict comparison can be problematic. If you use strpos() to find out whether there is an existing substring within a string, the results could be inaccurate. It may return as False in the absence of a sub-string.
Shortcut the Else
Variables can be initialized by the Else before you use them. This tip is particularly helpful when the logic is complicated and you have more than two or three administrators for your website.
Leave the Curly Brackets
This tip may not always be helpful unless you have an advanced knowledge of PHP. If not properly applied, readability and maintenance may be affected.
Use str_replace() Instead of ereg_replace and preg_replace
The basic rule is to use a regular expression function if you want to match a pattern and use a string function if you need to match a string.
Make Use of Ternary Operators
The ternary operators are particularly helpful for prototypes, templates and one-liners. However, at times, an ordinary conditional statement scores over the ternary operators, because PHP is descriptive and verbose.
Use Memcached
Memcached is a system for distributed memory object caching that can be used when your web application is distributed across multiple servers. Otherwise, you can use the shared memory helpers in APC.
Use a framework
This tip works well if you have sufficient knowhow of PHP.
Use the Suppression Operator Correctly
PHP dynamically changes error reporting to 0, before it executes a suppressed statement and the at once changes it back. Therefore, always avoid using the suppression operator.
Use isset() in place of strlen()
Each character in the string is an array, when you consider strings as arrays. Calling a function is more expensive than using a language construct. Isset() is a language construct while strlen() is a function. Therefore, it makes sense to use isset() instead of strlen() to increase the speed of your web page loading.
About the author: Margaret is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on design and technology. Beside this she is fond of books. She recently bought a Nikon Coolpix L120. These days she is busy in writing an article on Coffee shops.
