If you’re just getting started with web development, you might feel overwhelmed with all the tools available. Sure you can use a text editor for writing code, but there are much better options out there that can help speed up your development process.
That’s why I decided to compile this comprehensive list of the best PHP tools around. Because let’s be honest, we can never have too many tools.
AWS Cloud 9
AWS Cloud 9 is a cloud based PHP IDE. You can code, execute, and debug your code using just your browser. It is a complete solution and consists of a code editor, debugger, and terminal. The best part is that all you need is an internet-connected machine to use it, your location doesn’t matter at all.
This open-source cloud PHP IDE is not just for PHP or web application development, it basically provides a development environment for hundreds of programming languages like C, C++, JavaScript, and Python. It has prepackaged development tools and environments that the PHP developers can use to start coding immediately and develop web applications with features like live preview and browser compatibility testing.
The developers collaborate with their colleagues with collaborative coding or programming features. This means that developers can share their development environment with their peers and fellow developers. It also allows them to pair a program with colleagues or team members and track real-time inputs.The best part about using Cloud 9 is that it enables you to create and execute serverless apps, define resources, and debug remotely. Building a serverless application is effortless and they can code in their browser with no issues.
AWS Cloud9 is ideal for developing PHP applications completely in the cloud. In addition to allowing you to create web applications without the need for a server, this tool supports all of the advanced features you’d expect from a modern IDE like code hinting and completion.
Some unique points of AWS Cloud9:
Carry out real-time language analysis
Marking or tabbing file management
The debugging process is integrated
Iterate your code directly
Allows access to AWS services
Built-in image-editor
Reformatting codeAdditional Specialties
It supports languages like PHP, JavaScript, C, C++, and HTML5
Supported platforms: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris
PHPDebugbar
You can guess it right from the name, so no points for guessing. PHPDebugbar is a PHP debugger and it can execute with any project and displays data from a variety of web apps. There are two parts to this PHP development tool viz. mainDebugBar object with data collectors and the renderer.
Data collectors collect specific data A StandardDebugBar consists of a prepackaged built-in set of collectors.Again, it is not only for PHP language even if the name might connote so. You can catch JavaSCript and HTML bugs using this.
Another feature of PHPDebugbar is that it can inspect CSS elements, check the JavaScript, and monitor a network.It has become a really impressive open-source solution as it offers more features than developers expect from it. If you are planning for profiling of data from any web application, this can be one of the best options.
DebugBar
DebugBar is a useful tool for any developer since it can catch HTML and JavaScript bugs as well. Additionally, DebugBar can monitor network traffic, inspect CSS elements and evaluate your JavaScript code. That may be more features than you need, but it’s pretty impressive for an open source solution.
PHPDesigner may be the most feature-rich IDE made for specifically PHP developers. It contains just about everything you need to create and debug dynamic web apps including a PHP code beautifier tool. Of course, all of those features come with a hefty licensing fee. Fortunately, the intuitive interface makes PHPDesigner especially helpful if you’re just getting started with learning PHP.
Some unique points of PHPDebugbar:
It has a clean, fast, and user-friendly interface
Network traffic can be monitored
It can also handle AJAX requests
Log & debug directly to Debugbar
You can save and reopen previous requests
Consists of generic and well-known data collector libraries
Application config and Preview configAdditional Specialties:
It supports languages like PHP, Ruby, .Net, and Java
Supported PHP versions: PHP 5.5 & above
Aptana Studio
Aptana Studio boasts a surprising amount of features for an open source IDE. Even better, it works on Windows, Mac and Linux. Thanks to the built-in PHP server and debugging tool, you can integrate your other PHP tools to build and test PHP apps in one environment.
Aptana Studio is an open-source PHP development tool used to integrate with multiple client-side and server-side web technologies like PHP, CSS3, Python, RoR, HTML5, Ruby, etc. It is a high-performing and productive PHP IDE.Features:
- Supports the most recent HTML5 specifications
- Collaborates with peers using actions like pull, push and merge
- IDE customization and Git integration capabilities
- The ability to set breakpoints, inspecting variables, and controlling the execution
Functions:
- Eases out PHP app development by supporting the debuggers and CLI
- Enables programmers to develop and test PHP apps within a single environment
- Leverages the flexibilities of Eclipse and also possesses detailed information on the range of support for each element of the popular browsers.
Best PHP development environments
PHPStorm
PHPStorm streamlines application development by offering integration with relational databases and other PHP tools. It supports many popular PHP web frameworks and CMS solutions including WordPress, Drupal, Magento and Joomla. This enterprise IDE is available to students and teachers at no cost, so take advantage of the discount if you can.
XAMPP
This tried-and-true PHP tool is well supported, easy to install and free for anyone to download. It might have more features than you need, but it’s especially helpful if you use MySQL for database management. You can even install CMS components on top of XAMPP with the help of Bitnami.
Eclipse PDT
Though originally intended for Java coding, Eclipse can be extended to support PHP with the PDT plugin. Eclipse is open source and has all of the features you’d expect out of an IDE such as PHP profiling, syntax highlighting and unit testing; however, it requires a lot of resources to run, which could present an issue for smaller development teams.
ScriptCase
With ScriptCase you can create web-enabled applications in a matter of minutes. ScriptCase connects to most database engines, and it can produce interactive reports with helpful charts and tables. You can try ScriptCase for free for 20 days, but after that expect to pay an annual fee of $280-480 depending on which package you prefer.
Code Lobster
If you’re looking for a portable IDE solution, Code Lobster is probably available as a plugin for your favorite CMS. You can use a limited version of Code Lobster for free, but you’ll have to pay for full access to all features.
PhpED
PhpED is one of many PHP tools made by NuSphere. In addition to PHP 7.1, this code editor supports HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. Notable features include code insights, refactoring capabilities and remote debugging. Best of all, it’s compatible with many of the other PHP tools on this list.
Sublime Text
If you just need a text editor and not a full IDE, then Sublime Text is the obvious choice for PHP developers. The go-to-anything feature lets you quickly locate files or lines of code, and simultaneous editing allows you to make changes to multiple instances of code at once. For a one-time fee of $80, Sublime Text is perfect for the independent developer on a budget. Check out our other comprehensive guides for a complete list of the best IDE’s and text editors available.
Best PHP testing tools
PHPUnit
PHPUnit is just like JUnit except that it’s for PHP testing instead of Java testing. It allows you to create your own unit tests and see the results in several different formats. PHPUnit is particularly useful for consistency and scalability testing.
Selenium
Selenium is a lightweight, open source testing framework that lets anyone create custom UI tests in any language. It is compatible with most browsers, and it deploys on Windows, Linux and macOS.
Best PHP debugging tools
Xdebug
Since it debuted in 2002, Xdebug has become one of the most trusted PHP tools. This open source solution enables single-step debugging and stack trace functionality. Available as a plugin for Eclipse, PHPDesigner and most other development environments, Xdebug is compatible with dozens of other frontend debugging tools.
MacGDBp
As its name suggests, MacGDBp was made specifically for debugging PHP on Mac. Combine it with the Xdebug extension to view local variables and call stacks in a macOS interface.
Best PHP documentation tools
PHPDocumentor
This open source PHP documentation generator features a web-based command line interface. It automatically parses PHP code and outputs documentation in HTML, PDF, CHM and Docbook formats. You can integrate cross referencing and tutorials by linking between documentation. Check out the demo version of PHPDocumentor 2 to see the selection of new and improved PHP templates.
PHPDox
If you need quick API documentation for your PHP application, PHPDox is the perfect solution. It even includes helpful details like code coverage and complexity information. In addition to the handy search feature that lets you quickly find the information you need, you can expand the tool’s functionality with a number of plugins.
Best PHP security tools
RIPS
RIPS started out as an open source tool for identifying vulnerabilities in PHP applications, but it has evolved into a comprehensive security monitoring service. Unfortunately, the free version of RIPS is no longer supported, but you can still use it. The premium service purportedly provides ongoing threat analysis with no false positives.
Securimage
This open source script lets you make and manage CAPTCHA codes to secure your PHP applications. CAPTCHA codes are especially useful on submission forms for filtering out spam and security threats.
Best PHP performance monitoring tools
Retrace
Retrace is a performance monitoring tool with an excellent error tracking feature to help you identify exceptions and address bugs quickly and efficiently. Take advantage of the two-week free trial before you decide if it’s worth the monthly fee.
New Relic APM
New Relic is similar to Retrace in that it gives you a thorough overview of your PHP application’s performance. Aside from infrastructure monitoring, New Relic can collect user data and provide valuable analysis to assist you in creating a better user experience.
AppOptics
If you’ve ever used TraceView, then you should feel right at home with AppOptics. That’s because its creator, Solarwinds, acquired TraceView and incorporated all of its features into their own performance monitoring tool. At just $20 per month per host, AppOptics supports a surprising amount of integrations, plugins and custom metrics.
AppDynamics
AppDynamics boasts more features than other performance tuning tools including end-to-end monitoring and code-level diagnostics. AppDynamics comes with a steep price tag of $230 per month per server, but you certainly get what you pay for in this case.
Well, PHP has certainly evolved over the past few years. Back in the day it was tough to really “get into” and create a website. Not only did you need to learn the language itself but you had to learn basic HTML and CSS as well, and worse of all – FTP (fear!). These days though we’ve got some great editors which make everything a lot easier – thank goodness!
Conclusion
These are the best tools for PHP development. Some of them I’m currently using, while some are simply on my wishlist. As a beginner in software development, I would recommend you to start with Eclipse + PDT for your project.
My best PHP IDE is Codelobster – http://www.codelobster.com