Hello! I think you got tired of writing so many PHP codes that you learned from a reputed PHP training institutes for developing user-friendly web applications, interactive websites, excellent projects, etc.
Then, it’s time for you to take a break and have a cup of coffee. But at the same time, you feel like you don’t want to lose productivity because of your fatigue?
To resolve all your problems at once, there come the Best PHP IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) for the year 2020 to truncate your work and skyrocket your productivity like never before. However, there are numerous PHP IDEs that offer smart code completion and validate errors in real-time. But below listed are the popular handpicked and best working PHP IDEs which are a lot needs to be considered.
So, don’t miss out on making use of the following top 10 Best PHP IDEs of 2020, to minimize your mistakes and maximize your results so easily.
Why choose IDE:
But, before knowing the top 10 best PHP IDEs for you to use. What actually made you choose PHP IDEs rather than writing codes manually. That is nothing but their extraordinary features, which makes them exceptional than humans.
- SYNTAX HIGHLIGHTING
Having good syntax highlighting, you can improve code readability.
- CODE COMPLETION
With the help of automatic code completion/suggestions, you can avoid writing codes for a long time as of your own.
- NAVIGATION
The other best feature is “GoTo” actions. Having this type of feature helps you to find where a certain variable has been defined or used and this eventually decreases your time of the search.
- ERRORS AND WARNINGS HIGHLIGHTING
With this feature, you can avoid any common programming mistakes.
- REFACTORING AND CODE GENERATION
Refactoring sounds different, right? This is a type of technique for turning weak code into solid code. Hence with this refactoring feature, you can rename, safe delete and move a specific file to another directory.
In addition to that, some of the PHP IDEs also have features like code generation which seems to be very interesting.
- DEBUGGING
There are some good PHP IDEs, which provide you with a step-by-step debugging and helps you in saving hours.
- VERSIONING SYSTEM
Having this feature in some good PHP IDEs, you can visually compare revisions, revert to previous states and merge changes copy changes from one version to another, made by different team members.
Hence, this feature is extremely useful for both a team and one-person development.
Top 10 Best PHP IDE in 2020:
The below list contains both open source(free) and commercial(paid) software. And this helps you to choose the best PHP IDE with the required feature that you are looking for your project.
1. PHPStorm (The Lightning-Smart PHP IDE):
This is a cross-platform IDE that supports PHP 5.3/5.4/5.5/5.6/7.0/7.1/7.2. This will enable you to use all the features of WebStorm and front end technology such as HTML 5, CSS, Sass, Less, Stylus, CoffeeScript, TypeScript, Emmet, and Javascript.
As this PHP IDE also offers inspections to highlight deprecations and quick-fixes for upgrading your codebase.
Features of PHPStorm:
- This offers built-in tools for debugging, testing and profiling your applications.
- This supports MySQL (Structured Query Language).
- With PHPStorm, you can work with PHP based frameworks like Joomla, Magento, CakePHP, etc.
- PHPStorm provides hints for variables and methods.
- This has the ability to complete the code automatically.
- It has a smart code Navigation
- Fast and Safe Refactoring
2. Zend Studio (Your Proven PHP Integrated Development Environment):
It is an integrated development environment (IDE) for PHP 5.5 and newer. With this PHP IDE, you can develop a PHP application as it offers smart code completion and validates errors in real-time.
Features of Zend Studio:
- This IDE supports the latest version of programming languages like PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to develop high-performing applications.
- This has a faster coding feature, where it codes faster with an intelligent code editor.
- You can run this PHP IDE on various operating systems like Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc.
- Zend Studio uses popular source control, framework, and cloud options. Here it works with cloud platforms like Red Hat OpenShift, Microsoft Azure.
3. Eclipse PDT (Innovation and Collaboration):
Eclipse PDT framework is of the top website development tool for PHP and It can be used on different operating systems like Windows, Linux, and more. To develop PHP-based Web Applications, this encompasses the development components and facilitates extensibility. Moreover, it also leverages the existing Web Tools Project in providing developers with PHP capabilities.
Features of Eclipse PDT:
- It automatically does Syntax Highlighting and Validation
- It offers you a ready-made code template.
- Code Navigation
- PHP Debugging (Zend Debugger / Xdebug)
- PHP Profiling (Zend Debugger / Xdebug)
- PHPUnit
- Code Formatter
- It supports Code Refactoring
- Code Assist
- Eclipse CDT enables you to manage Projects Remotely
- Power of the Eclipse Ecosystem
4. NetBeans:
Apache NetBeans is a free, cross-platform and open-source PHP integrated development environment that is governed by the Apache Software Foundation.
Using this IDE, you can quickly and easily develop desktop, mobile, and web applications with Java, JavaScript, HTML5, PHP, C/C++ and more.
Features of NetBeans:
- Fast & Smart Code Editing
- Easy & Efficient Project Management
- Write Bug-Free Code
- Support for multiple languages like C/C++, PHP, XML, HTML, PHP, Groovy, Javadoc, JavaScript, and JSP.
- Rapid User Interface Development
- NetBeans automatically completes the brackets.
- Netbeans provides parameter hints by typing $ symbol.
- It also offers readymade templates for writing a script.
5. Sublime Text 3 (sophisticated text editor for code, markup, and prose):
Sublime Text 3 is a cross-platform PHP IDE used for developing PHP based web applications. Having a Goto Anything feature, you can open files, jump to symbol, word or line through a keyboard shortcut instantly. It is also available for different operating systems like Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Features of Sublime Text 3:
- It offers you a Multiple Selections feature, which enables you to make ten changes at one time.
- It has a Powerful API and Package Ecosystem
- Can Customize anything
- Sublime Text sets the bar for performance.
- Split Editing
6. NuSphere
NuSphere is a software used for developing a web-based application using PHP. This helps you to write code in PHP without any hassle. In addition to this, it also supports PhpED for debugging PHP code.
Features of NuSphere:
- It supports JavaScript and it is a built-in code validator.
- You can publish a project that targets multiple frameworks.
- This tool autocorrects PHP code.
- NuSphere offers you a completely customizable shortcut.
- You have the option of hiding and displaying a particular section in a file.
- It matches a pair of braces.
7. ATOM:
Atom is an up to date open source text editor built by GitHub folks and is a simple editor for writing a PHP program. It can also be customized to perform anything without modifying a config file.
Features of ATOM:
- This helps you in smart auto-completion of the PHP code
- This has Diagnostics (errors & warnings)
- This tool allows cross-platform editing
- Find references
- It has a “Go to definition” feature which jumps to the symbol under the cursor.
- Hover
- This Supports command palette to run available commands
- With this, you can find, preview, and replace text typed in a file or across the entire project.
- Signature help
- It has an integrated built-in package manager.
- This app allows cross-platform editing
- Supports command palette to run available commands.
8.Aptana PHP
This is the finest open-source PHP development tool to build web applications. It is easy to download from the web and can be accessible at a free of cost. Aptana Studio, that increases the flexibility of Eclipse and focuses more on a powerful web development engine.
Features of Aptana PHP:
- It supports Windows, Mac and Linux OS.
- As it supports the latest versions of HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Ruby.
- It Comes up with a Syntax Error Annotations
- Supports DOM and CSS
- Code Formatting and Auto Indexing
- Supports PHP Debugger
- It has a built-in terminal for execution of operating system commands and language utilities such as gem, rake, etc.
9. Komodo:
Komodo is a PHP Integrated Development Environment that supports web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Drupal, Zend, etc. Moreover, with the help of this software, you can debug the PHP program quickly and easily.
Features of Komodo:
- With Komodo, you can debug, inspect, and test your code.
- This app contains tons of add-ons, which can be used to customize the features.
- This also helps you to collaborate with your teammates.
- With project and file navigation, you can define your own workflow.
- This highlights and detects multiple languages within a file.
- Without leaving Komodo IDE, you can make changes in the HTML file.
- Komodo allows you to place a numeric bookmark which enables you to quickly go to the specific line of code.
- You can also check the occurrences of variables in the code.
10. Codelobster
It is a Free portable PHP IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for PHP. As it supports numerous plugins, including JQuery, Facebook, Twig, WordPress, Joomla, Javascript, Angular JS, etc.
Features of Codelobster:
- It has a feature that highlights a pair of square brackets.
- CodeLobster also has a popup list that contains constants and variables.
- Using this tool, you can organize your files into the project.
- This also supports PHP debugger to validate the code.
- This helps you to hide code blocks on which you are not currently working.
- You can also collapse the code to see the code in detail.
Takeaway:
I hope this article helps you to choose one of the best PHP IDE with a suitable feature that you are searching for your project.
So, stop wasting your time and give it a try. I promise you’ll see a massive difference before and then in your work.
Author bio:
Janani is an enthusiastic content manager who loves to explore in the field of PHP. With a goal to fulfill her enthusiasm, she founded a perfect place to grow- Zuan technology!
