Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned developer, these light PHP tips can streamline your workflow, boost performance, and prevent common pitfalls. Let’s dive into practical advice that’s easy to implement.
Use Strict Types for Safer Code
Declare declare(strict_types=1); at the top of your PHP files. This enforces type checking, catching errors early.
<?php declare(strict_types=1);
function add(int $a, int $b): int {
return $a + $b;
}
echo add(5, 3); // Works: 8
// echo add(5, '3'); // TypeErrorIt reduces bugs in large projects. Ideal for PHP 7+.
Leverage Modern PHP Features
Upgrade to PHP 8+ for nullsafe operators (?->) and match expressions.
// Nullsafe
$user = getUser()?->getProfile()?->getName();
// Match (like switch but better)
$result = match($status) {
1 => 'Active',
0 => 'Inactive',
default => 'Unknown',
};These make code concise and readable. Ditch outdated switch statements.
Sanitize Inputs to Avoid Security Issues
Always validate and escape user data. Use filter_input() or prepared statements with PDO.
$email = filter_input(INPUT_POST, 'email', FILTER_SANITIZE_EMAIL);
$stmt = $pdo->prepare("SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = ?");
$stmt->execute([$email]);Prevents SQL injection and XSS. A must for forms.
Optimize Loops and Arrays
Use foreach over for for arrays. Pre-allocate arrays when possible.
$items = [];
foreach ($data as $item) {
$items[] = process($item);
}For large datasets, consider generators to save memory:
function gen(): Generator {
for ($i = 0; $i < 1000000; $i++) {
yield $i;
}
}Saves RAM on big operations.
Error Handling with Try-Catch
Wrap risky code in try-catch. Log errors instead of displaying them in production.
try {
$data = json_decode($json, true, 512, JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR);
} catch (JsonException $e) {
error_log($e->getMessage());
// Handle gracefully
}Improves user experience and security.
These PHP tips are simple yet powerful. Apply them to write cleaner, faster code. Experiment in your next project—your future self will thank you! Share your favorite tip in the comments.
