Why Node.js Is Overtaking PHP: A Historical Comparison of Backend Technologies

In 2019, using Node.js to develop lightweight web applications was one of the most popular technologies, and historically only PHP’s evolution has been on a comparable scale; both share language flexibility, lightweight containers, and strong community support.

Peers are gradually feeling that PHP is declining—perhaps due to survivor bias or other reasons—but the PHP ecosystem still lives on and performs well; even though recent industry conferences rarely promote PHP, many still claim it is the world’s best language.

As the saying goes, a skinny camel is still larger than a horse; we cannot deny that the volume of PHP applications still far exceeds that of Node.js, accumulated over 20 years and remaining a giant, though over time we will see PHP applications decrease while Node.js applications proliferate, entering a new cycle.

Today we chose this article, which starts from history and uses language as a thread to weave the whole comparison; even if some readers are unfamiliar with or have never used PHP, the text hints at PHP’s capabilities, history, philosophy, and depth, allowing a contrast with the rise of Node.js.

The ebb and flow of history, good and bad, are all within; click the original article to see more.