PHP (recursive acronym for PHP: Hypertext Pre-processor) is a widely-used open source general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for web development and can be embedded into HTML.

PHP is one of the main languages used in dynamic web development. It’s one of the oldest language and a common component in the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP). If you want to create a website or any back-end web service, PHP is one of the main languages you can choose from. If you need revisions to an existing application that runs on a Linux server, it’s common for the back-end coding to be done with PHP.

About PHP Developers

PHP developers are often simply called “back-end engineers.” A PHP developer is responsible for writing server-side web application logic. PHP developers usually develop back-end components, connect the application with the other (often third-party) web services, and support the front-end developers by integrating their work with the application.

They’re turn client’s specifications into a workable, tangible product that runs on a web server. Although PHP can run in a Windows environment, it’s more commonly used on Linux servers with Apache running as the web client. Many PHP developers package their applications this way with Linux and Apache to make it easier for the client to host it.

PHP developers code the functionality and brings an app to life. Collaborating with designers, they ensure that the front-end application is appealing to users. You may find that some PHP developers have front-end design skills, but often times, they work with UI and UX designers to create a user interface that’s engaging and supported by solid back-end functionality.

What Can You Expect from a PHP Developer?

It is a PHP Developer's job to write, test and maintain the code for web pages and computer graphics programs. They use PHP, a widely used scripting language, to build websites, programs and applications that computers follow to perform functions. They are also responsible for writing, troubleshooting, testing and maintaining the source code for computer programs. If needed, PHP Developers also assist team members in problem solving.

A PHP developer should be able to visualize your application and what you need based on your conversations and documentation (if you have any). They should be able to understand your business so that they can provide you with an application that supports your goals and business logic.

PHP developers mainly create two types of applications: web apps with a database background, and APIs that provide your existing software and data to mobile apps and other developers. PHP code powers the back end of a web app, so a PHP developer will design and architect your code and the way it works to support the front end. APIs are often used when developers or apps need to query your internal data, and they allow you to provide this data to the outside world. For instance, your app might pull a list of tweets from Twitter’s API. A PHP developer will read the API documentation and implement it into your website. APIs are also used with some mobile apps to power the app’s data services.

Deliverables could be full source code files, or some developers help you upload the code to your web server of your choice choice. If you’re building a website from scratch, it’s vital that you choose a developer with the skills necessary to tackle a project from the ground up. A senior-level developer will know how to manage a project (they might assign a project manager), set expectations, estimate costs, and give you organized, scalable code that you can work with for years.

Just like other development areas, PHP developers have a variety of skill sets and levels. Senior-level PHP experts often have several other languages in their arsenal. They should be able to design a full application from the ground up. Junior-level developers have a few years of experience, but they often need to work with, or have their work reviewed by, a senior-level developer to ensure that code is efficient and properly written.

Defining Your Project

A developer can only do as good of a job as the specifications or information they get from the client. Communication is key so that your PHP developer fully understands your concepts and goals. When you post a project, you must be able to communicate key elements so that you can get the best estimates from the best developers.

Before you post a project request or talk to developers, you should sit down and map out your idea. This can be done using images, presentations, or other types of documentation. For instance, you can draw your own wireframes and then explain each concept in writing. Developers bidding on your project can get a better idea of what needs to be done and estimate far more accurately.

It can be difficult for a client to understand the duration of a project and its cost, but a developer can sit down and discuss project scope, a reasonable timeline, and any deliverables that you can expect during the project’s development process.

Writing a Project Description

Once you know what you want from your end product, it’s time to write your project description. You need to be concise but provide enough detail to attract top developers. You can attach documents and provide video links to your project description to help developers better understand your goals.

Below is one sample of how a PHP project description may look. Keep in mind that many people use the term “job description,” but a full job description is only needed for employees. When engaging a freelancer as an independent contractor, you typically just need a statement of work, job post, or any other document that describes the work to be done.

Title: PHP Developer Needed to Build E-Commerce Website

Description: We need a PHP developer to build an e-commerce platform for our website. We have a rough wireframe document that explains the front end and the back end. We need help determining back-end architecture, so we want a developer to determine the way it will be built. We currently have hosting and need help uploading the code after it’s finished. The e-commerce store will host our product catalogue, take orders, allow customers to sign up, and then send email reminders to customers that left products in their shopping cart.

You can modify this description to better fit what you’re looking for, but it gives the basic requirements that a PHP development project might have.

PHP projects can take a long time, so expect a big project to take several months. PHP projects may require sit-downs to understand your requirements, design, coding, prototyping, and testing. All of these extend the deadline and can require several months for larger projects. A developer might even add a small percentage of time to the duration to ensure that deadlines are met. As with any project, the more descriptive your post is and the more you communicate with your programmer, the smoother the process will be.

Picking the right company structure for your business is as important as any other business-related activity. The right business structure can allow your enterprise to control efficiently and meet your required business targets. In India, each business should register themselves as a part of the necessary legal compliance. Before we tend to learn how to register a company, let’s try and understand the types of business structures in India.

Types of business structure in India:

1. One Person Company (OPC): It is the simplest way to start a company if there exists only 1 promoter or owner. It allows a sole-proprietor to hold on his work and still be a part of the company framework.
2. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): This kind of business structure was essentially formed to provide limited liability to its owners. To become a partner of LLP doesn’t involve a huge lengthy complicated method. It’s simple to form as well as simple to become a partner. In it, each partner has limited liability to the extent of capital contributed by them. They don’t have to suffer on behalf of its other partners.
3. Private Limited Company: A Private Limited Company is that company which is owned privately by the individuals. It is more flexible and easy to form than a Public company. It can be formed with just 2 members and 2 directors. But there is a restriction in the maximum number of its partners which is restricted to 200. The number of shareholders is limited to 50 only. A Private company cannot invite public to apply for its shares. This kind of company is more preferred by investors because they can buy/sell stakes easily.
4. Public Limited Company: A Public Limited Company is that company which is owned by public or in which the public can subscribe. The minimum number of directors is 3 and the minimum number of shareholders is 7. There is no limit on the maximum number of shareholders. The shareholders have limited liability to the extent of the face value of its shares and the premium respectively.

Steps for registration of new company

Obtain Director Identification Number

Director identification number is a unique number allotted by Central Government to any person assuming to be a director or existing director of company in India. Director identification number is 8 digit unique number which has a lifetime validity, details of director are maintained in database through this number.

Whenever a return, an application or any information associated with a corporation or company are going to be submitted under any law, the director signing such return, application or information will mention his Director Identification Number underneath his signature.

Procedure to obtain DIN: There are three different forms

1.      Spice Form (Application Of First Directors In Case Of New Companies): SPICe form is used by the first directors of new companies. The intended person who has not obtained DIN shall make an application through eForm SPICe. The documents which  need to be attached are

·         Proof of identity

·         Proof of address

2.      DIR-3 Form: Any person intending to become a director in an already existing company shall have to make an application in eForm DIR-3 for allotment of DIN.

·         Procedure to obtain DIR-3 Form: The form shall be mandatorily signed by the applicant and the same shall be verified digitally by a:

·   Company Secretary (who is fulltime employment of the company)

·   Managing director or manager.

·   Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer.

Two supporting documents need to be attached that is:

·   Photograph of the concerned applicant.

·   Proof of identity and Proof of residence.

3.      DIR-6 Form: DIR-6 Form is used by the directors when there are any changes in the particulars of the directors. The form shall be signed by the applicant and certified by a Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, Cost accountant (whole time practice), Director of an existing company.

Obtain Digital Signature Certificate

A Digital Signature Certificate is a secure digital key that is issued by the certifying authorities for the purpose of validating and certifying the identity of the person holding this certificate. Digital Signatures make use of the general public key encryptions to create the signatures. A digital signature certificate (DSC) contains information concerning the user’s name, pin code, country, email address, date of issuance of certificate and name of the certifying authority.

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) explicitly associates the identity of an individual/device with a two keys - public and private keys. The certificate contains data about a user's identity (for example, their name, pincode, country, email address, the date the certificate was issued and also the name of the CA. These keys will not work in the absence of the other. They’re used by browsers and servers to encode and decode data concerning the identity of the certificate user.

The private key is stored on the user's computer hard disk or on an external device like a USB token. The user retains control of the private key; it will solely be used with the issued password. The public key is disseminated with the encrypted data. The authentication method fails if either one of these keys in not available or do not match. This means that the encrypted information cannot be decrypted and so, is inaccessible to unauthorized parties.

Procedure to obtain digital signature certificate

1. Submission of DSC Application form duly filled in by the applicant. Any individual applying for a Digital Signature Certificate is required to fill an Application Form for online submission and verification of personal details by the certifying authority.
2. Producing Photo ID proof
3. Producing  Address proof
4. To fill in the Application form the please log in to the website of the Certifying Authority.

Register a Company Name

Tips for naming your startup company:

1. Avoid hard to spell, you don’t want potential customers getting confused concerning how to find your business on-line. You would like to avoid having to continually correct the misspelled version of your name. Keep it simple.
2. Don’t pick a name that could be limiting as your business grows.
3. Once you have determined a name you like, do a web search on the name. You will find that someone else is already using that business name.
4. Use the most secure “.com” domain name for your business rather than alternatives such as .net, .org, .biz, or other possible domain extensions.
5. You want the business name to convey something meaningful and positive related to your business.
6. Make sure you are personally happy with the name.

To register your company, you will file your completed application online with the Indian government’s Registrar of Companies, or RoC. The RoC, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, oversees the incorporation of new companies and the administration of businesses under the statutory regulations of the Companies Act.

Check online to see if your choice of company name is available. Before you file your application to register your company, it’s a good idea to have your company names firmly in place to ensure the registration process isn’t hindered.

Get Certificate of Incorporation

A Certificate of Incorporation (COI) is a legal document that is issued by Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) once a Company is successfully registered with them. The COI is a proof that the company is now registered with the Registrar of Companies (ROC).

COI issued consists of a date which depicts the date from which the company is deemed to be official registered. It can then commence its business and start working. Unlike sole proprietorship registration of private limited company is mandatory. It is the duty of the promoter to apply for a COI.

Obtain Permanent Account Number

Permanent Account number (PAN) refers to a ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a laminated card, by the income tax Department in India. it is a must to have a PAN number for all those who file their income tax returns, because from 2005 onward, it has been made mandatory by the income tax Department to quote the PAN on return of income as well as on all correspondence with any income tax authority in the country.

Registration of GST

GST is the biggest tax reform in India, tremendously improving ease of doing business and increasing the taxpayer base in India by bringing in millions of small businesses in India. By abolishing and subsuming multiple taxes into a single system, tax complexities would be reduced while tax base is increased substantially. Under the new GST regime, all entities involved in buying or selling goods or providing services or both are required to register for GST. Entities without GST registration would not be allowed to collect GST from a customer or claim an input tax credit of GST paid and/or could be penalized. Further, registration under GST is mandatory once an entity crosses the minimum threshold turnover of starts a new business that is expected to cross the prescribed turnover.

JavaScript (JS) is a lightweight interpreted or JIT-compiled programming language with first-class functions. While it is most well-known as the scripting language for Web pages, many non-browser environmentsalso use it, such as Node.js, Apache CouchDB and Adobe Acrobat.JavaScript is a prototype-based, multi-paradigm, dynamic language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and declarative (e.g. functional programming) styles.

JavaScript is a cross-platform, object-oriented scripting language used to make webpages interactive (e.x. having complex animations, clickable buttons, popup menus, etc.).  There are also more advanced server side versions of javascript such as Node.Js which allow you to add more functionality to a website than simply downloading files (such as realtime collaboration between multiple computers). Inside a host environment (for example, a web browser), JavaScript can be connected to the objects of its environment to provide programmatic control over them.

JavaScript contains a standard library of objects, such as Array, Date, and Math, and a core set of language elements such as operators, control structures, and statements. Core JavaScript can be extended for a variety of purposes by supplementing it with additional objects; for example:

• Client-side JavaScript extends the core language by supplying objects to control a browser and its Document Object Model (DOM). For example, client-side extensions allow an application to place elements on an HTML form and respond to user events such as mouse clicks, form input, and page navigation.

• Server-side JavaScript extends the core language by supplying objects relevant to running JavaScript on a server. For example, server-side extensions allow an application to communicate with a database, provide continuity of information from one invocation to another of the application, or perform file manipulations on a server.