HTML, JavaScript and PHP do not perform the same job. Nearly every website ultimately sends HTML to a browser. JavaScript may run in the browser or on a server, while PHP commonly handles server-side requests and data.
HTML: page structure
HTML describes headings, text, images, forms and links, whether a person wrote the file directly or a framework generated it.
JavaScript: interaction and application logic
JavaScript handles clicks, validation, search and live updates. It can also run on a server to produce APIs and search-friendly pages.
PHP: server-side work
PHP receives requests, reads databases, checks users and returns HTML or JSON. WordPress and Laravel are common examples. PHP is not automatically old or insecure; versions, architecture and maintenance determine that.
Choose from the product requirements
- How often content changes.
- Whether users need accounts and permissions.
- Payments, stock and integrations.
- Who will maintain the product and its budget.