Why I'm Embracing Core PHP in 2023: Optimising Efficiency for Niche Projects
Tags: webdev, php, freelance, productivity
Published: 2023-06-21 12:21:32

**Introduction:**
As a solo freelance developer, my journey in the ever-evolving tech landscape has been an adventure of finding the perfect balance between the "best" technologies and the unique needs of my clients. In my pursuit of the ideal tech stack and learning path, I've explored a multitude of frameworks and architectures, catering to a wide range of clients, particularly small businesses and non-tech savvy individuals. However, after careful consideration, I've come to appreciate the power and efficiency of core PHP in certain scenarios.

**Exploring the Technological Spectrum:**
Throughout my career, I've ventured into various realms of web development. I've built websites from scratch using the foundational trio of vanilla JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. I've harnessed the capabilities of popular libraries like jQuery, and dived into the world of full-stack frameworks such as Django, React, Vue, and the exciting Svelte paired with Tailwind and Express. My projects have encompassed diverse architecture patterns, from traditional Monoliths to Microservices and even Serverless setups. While these technologies offer incredible flexibility, scalability, and developer experience, I've discovered a niche where core PHP excels.

**Understanding the Client's Needs:**
While it's tempting to embrace the latest and greatest, it's crucial to align with the specific requirements of each client. Many of the projects I've worked on possess distinct niches, limiting the number of potential users or catering to a focused target audience. Additionally, some clients have no intention of expanding their features or onboarding more developers in the future. For these particular scenarios, clients seek clearly defined solutions with low running costs, built within a short timeframe by a single developer. These are the clients I'm targeting, and this is where core PHP proves to be the ideal choice.

**Embracing the Power of Core PHP:**
Core PHP, the foundation of the PHP language without any specific frameworks, holds great potential for niche projects with constrained requirements. It allows for the development of lightweight, tailored solutions that can be deployed on cheap hosting providers that don't offer SSH access, relying solely on FTP for file uploads.

1. Cost-Effectiveness and Accessibility: Cheap hosting providers, such as cPanel-based platforms, often limit direct server access. In such cases, PHP shines as the go-to backend option due to its compatibility and support across a wide range of hosting providers. Deploying core PHP applications becomes hassle-free, ensuring that the project remains cost-effective without compromising functionality.

2. Simplicity and Rapid Deployment: By learning core PHP without relying on specific frameworks, developers gain the advantage of simplicity and speed. The lightweight nature of core PHP allows for rapid prototyping and swift development, resulting in reduced time-to-market for projects with tight deadlines.
 
3. Tailored Solutions: Core PHP provides the freedom to develop customized solutions that precisely meet the unique requirements of niche projects. Without the constraints imposed by frameworks, developers can design applications with optimized code tailored to the specific needs of the client.

**Conclusion:**
While the allure of cutting-edge technologies and trendy frameworks is undeniable, it's crucial to embrace pragmatism in our development choices. As a developer targeting clients with specific niche requirements and limited scalability needs, I've found that core PHP offers an optimal solution. Its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with cheap hosting providers empower me to deliver high-quality results efficiently. By embracing the power of core PHP, we can unlock the true potential of web development in 2023 and beyond, creating tailored solutions that cater to our clients' needs without compromising on accessibility or cost-effectiveness.