PHP vs JSP: Differences Every Web Developer Must Understand

Updated on 13 June 2024 6 min Read
php vs jsp

Hello web geeks! Welcome to our new blog. MilesWeb has showcased different blogs on PHP, and we hope you have enjoyed this series.

The next blog in this series is PHP vs JSP. Our previous blogs were on PHP vs JavaScript, PHP vs NodeJS and PHP vs ASP.NET.

Today, in this blog, we will be discussing the difference between PHP and JSP. These are both related to the web development field because both are helpful in building website applications.

Although there is a huge debate about JSP Vs PHP Performance, both have unique propositions and requirements. That is why the development community cannot ignore it.

Let us dive deep deeper into this PHP vs JSP blog and decode how they differ.

What is PHP?

PHP is a “Hypertext Processor” that develops websites and applications. It is a back-end programming language where developers integrate web pages. In 1994, it was introduced to meet the website development tasks. There are millions of servers on which PHP is installed.

Several versions, along with the time it came. The current version is PHP 8.2, which offers read-only classes, DNF types, null, false, and true types, sensitive parameter redaction support, a new random extension, several new features, and a few deprecations.

Cross-platform support is available in the PHP language. While integrating websites, the developer need not worry about which operating system their project will run. PHP language and its created web projects are accessible on different operating systems. It’s easier to locate server-side scripting language or PHP hosting providers when comparing PHP vs JSP.

What is JSP?

JSP, or Java Server Pages, is a server-side programming technology. It enables the development of dynamic and independent sites. As Java Server Pages are built on top of Java Servlets, JSPs can access all the powerful Enterprise Java APIs, including JDBC, JNDI, EJB, JAXP, etc.

JSTL or another such language is needed for Java code to be written on JSP, which is primarily written in HTML. Text documents in JSP contain two types of text: predefined static text and dynamic text rendered after the server responds. With Java servlet template engines, JSP pages can be combined with servlets that handle business logic.

As far as elements are concerned in JSP, there are a total 4 types of it.

  • Expression
  • Declarations
  • Scriplets
  • Directives

Key Differences Between JSP and PHP

Differences Between PHP and JSP
  • There are two types of server-side programming technologies: JavaServer Pages (JSPs) and PHP scripts.
  • In contrast, PHP has a print statement to debug code, whereas JSPs can be debugged by editors.
  • In contrast to PHP, which doesn’t support garbage collection, JSP is an abstraction of the Java class.
  • Due to the fact that JSPs are, in fact, servlets, they require a servlet container like Tomcat to run, while PHP is a CGI engine that runs on its own.
  • Due to the Java programming language, JSP has large API support, while PHP has limited API support.
  • Due to its translation into Servlet and subsequent compilation and execution, JSP execution takes more time than PHP execution.
  • Since JSP code is compiled first, bugs can be identified at an early stage, whereas PHP does not have this feature of notifying the developer of bad code prior to optimization.
  • Learning and understanding PHP as a scripting language is more difficult than JSP because it requires knowledge of Java and HTML syntax.
  • The extensive API support in JSP makes it possible to cache objects, whereas PHP does not.
  • It is well known that JSP is very good at maintaining user sessions, whereas PHP destroys the user’s session every time a request is made.

 PHP vs JSP Performance: Who Wins in It?

The performance of PHP and JSP (JavaServer Pages) can vary depending on various factors, including the specific implementation, server configuration, and the nature of the application being developed. However, it’s important to note that both PHP and JSP are capable of delivering efficient and high-performance web applications when used properly.

When there is a performance debate between PHP and JSP, both frameworks are optimized to deliver efficient web applications. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind:

  • Language Efficiency: PHP is generally considered to have a lighter footprint and faster execution compared to JSP. This is because PHP’s interpreter is optimized for web scripting and requires less overhead. On the other hand, JSP relies on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which can have a higher memory footprint and may require more resources.
  • Caching: There is no tussle between PHP vs JSP when it comes to the caching mechanism. Both frameworks support it and significantly improve performance by reducing the need for repetitive computations. Effective caching strategies can help minimize the impact of interpreted or compiled code execution, resulting in faster response times for subsequent requests.
  • Code Optimization: The performance of both PHP and JSP can be improved through proper code optimization techniques, such as minimizing database queries, reducing file I/O operations, and employing efficient algorithms. Profiling tools can be used to identify performance bottlenecks and optimize code accordingly.
  • Server Configuration: The performance of PHP and JSP applications can also be influenced by the server configuration. Tweaking server settings, such as memory allocation, thread management, and connection pooling, can have a significant impact on overall performance.

Conclusion

That is all about the comparison between PHP vs JSP in this blog. If you reached till conclusion part, that’s great! Keep these comparison factors in mind whenever you develop a website. And after that, our web hosting services are available. If your websites are built on JSP, our cPanel VPS hosting services are recommended. Don’t worry, PHP users! For you, PHP website hosting services are available. Get guaranteed 99.95% uptime, 24×7 support and compelling features like an Indian data center.

FAQs

Which one is better for beginners, PHP or JSP?

As a beginner, the choice between PHP vs JSP depends on your background and objective. Here is how they stack up against each other:
Easier to Learn: PHP is commonly thought to be easier than JSP, particularly if you already know a little bit about scripting languages such as HTML. Knowing some Java is good when working with JSP.
Community Support: PHP is proud of its online community, which is wider and more vibrant, sharing an abundance of resources and tutorials for people who are new to the programming language.
In short, for beginners with no prior Java experience, PHP is a more accessible starting point.

What are the hosting requirements for PHP and JSP?

Both PHP and JSP require a web server to run your code. Here’s a basic comparison:
PHP: PHP is supported by so many web hosting services and it runs with Apache web server as well as a PHP module known as mod_php.
JSP: For JSP, it necessitates a Java-enabled web server such as Apache Tomcat. Although Apache Tomcat is free, discovering compatible hosting may require some more search.

How does community support compare between PHP and JSP?

Let’s compare PHP vs JSP in terms of community support.
PHP: It has a huge active online community. There are many forums, tutorials, Q&A platforms on PHP alone.
JSP: JSP has a smaller community compared to PHP. However, JSP benefits from the vast Java community resources that are pertinent for core functionalities.

What type of projects is PHP best suited for?

The PHP framework is suitable for the following categories.
– Simple to complex websites and web applications.
– E-commerce platforms.
– Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress.
– Rapid prototyping due to its ease of use.

What type of projects is JSP best suited for?

The JSP framework is suitable for the following categories.
– Enterprise-level applications due to Java’s robust features and scalability.
– Projects requiring complex data manipulation and security.
– Integration with existing Java frameworks and libraries.

The Author

I am an experienced Marketing Manager at MilesWeb UK, a leading web hosting company in the UK. With extensive knowledge in web hosting, WordPress, digital marketing, and web development, I'm committed to helping businesses succeed online. His expertise and enthusiasm for the digital world make him a valuable asset in the constantly changing field of online marketing.