The Evolution of PHP Programmers

Oct 17, 2017 misc-web php programming

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I think around 2015, there was a big splash of good training online for PHP. Frameworks upgraded/changed, helped programmers write better code faster earlier than that. Before that, it was a lot of RTFM. So, before, in the earlier days (maybe somewhat still today), I think PHP developers did this:

create crappy functional code
create crappy OO code
choose a random framework and mess up the implementation of it
write your own framework
choose you framework of choice and start to implement things great and rigidly to that framework
create great code, using a framework as a tool and time-saver

I think some of these steps are skipped now because of the sheer size and quality of training that we have access to now these days.

However, I was talking to Big Boy the other day (you might remember big boy from entries such as these) He had a different explanation of the lifecycle of programmers:

Stage 1: write shitty functional code
Stage 2: write shitty half assed OOP code
Stage 3: write awesome OOP code
Stage 4: Write awesome functional code
Stage 5: hack shitty stuff together based on business needs

I think I can agree with this, too. But, I want to abstract this a bit. What I think we’re both saying is that there is a progression of PHP (and other language) programmers that is manifested by the way we implement and use our tools at hand.

brave new world of programming, you’re excited
try to do better at it
do the “best practices” of it according to “everyone”
develop a flow that fits your logical brain/skillset best
start to focus on creating efficient code that solves business problems, code is secondary to problem solving

I think the point I’m trying to make is - there are many ways to get to the end - but the end is crafting quality code, that fits you, that solves the business problems the best. All of those are equally important. Great code that doesn’t solve the problem - or shitty code that solves the business problem (short-term) will always be a failure.