PHP tips that save me time every week
PHP tips that save me time every week
I have been writing PHP for years, and a few habits make a real difference. None of them are fancy tricks. They are small things that prevent bugs, make code easier to read, and save time when something goes wrong.
1. Use strict types
Add declare(strict_types=1); at the top of every PHP file. It stops PHP from silently converting types, which catches a whole class of bugs before they reach production. It is one line that saves hours of debugging.
2. Type your function signatures
Always declare the types of your parameters and return values. function getUser(int $id): ?User tells you exactly what a function expects and returns. It makes the code self-documenting and lets your IDE catch mistakes early.
3. Use null coalescing instead of isset
Instead of isset($arr['key']) ? $arr['key'] : null, write $arr['key'] ?? null. It is shorter, clearer, and does the same job. For nested values, use the null coalescing operator on each level.
4. Never trust user input
Sanitize and validate everything that comes from a form, a URL, or an API. Use prepared statements for database queries, escape output, and validate against a whitelist where you can. This is the difference between a secure app and a vulnerable one.
5. Use exceptions, not error codes
When something can fail, throw an exception instead of returning a false or an error code. Exceptions carry a message and a stack trace, which makes debugging much easier. Catch them at the right level and log the details.
6. Write small functions
A function should do one thing. If a function is doing three things, split it. Small functions are easier to test, easier to read, and easier to reuse. This is the simplest way to keep a codebase maintainable.
7. Log, do not echo
When debugging, use a logger instead of echo or var_dump. Echoing breaks your output and is easy to forget. A logger keeps your code clean and leaves a record you can check later.
The short version
Strict types, typed signatures, null coalescing, input validation, exceptions, small functions, and proper logging. These seven habits make PHP code safer, clearer, and easier to maintain. Start with one and build from there.
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