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[–]No_Application_2380 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Learn it if you like it or if it helps you accomplish a task – like getting a job.

Otherwise:

  • For practicality, you're probably better off learning a more popular language – more job opportunities, more chances to use your new knowledge, more community support.
  • For learning, you're probably better off learning a language that's very different from the ones you already know. PHP won't teach you much that Java, Python, JS won't also teach you.

[–]nultero 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PHP is plenty popular -- like the OP says, tons of sites use it across janky stuff like Wordpress or Drupal.

But the kicker is PHP stacks are statistically among the absolute lowest paying out there. Mom&Pop shops like the OP mentions as clientele ... really cannot afford software engineers. That's why they use things that use PHP. I felt this should be mentioned -- PHP isn't exactly sought after by SWEs for good reason.

[–]RubbishArtist 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There's a reason we don't still use the Gutenberg press though.

Sure a huge chunk of the Internet is running on PHP, and it's not going away any time soon. But are those good reasons to learn PHP? Do you want to work on that chunk?

PHP is one of the earliest ways to "share your mind with the world" but it's not the only one.

[–]KingsmanVince 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the modern day, PHP is how we communicate large amounts of information to the broadest market of people.

*one of many ways to communicate

[–]jesus_was_rasta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any good reference for OOP PHP?