Even though on-the-job training is how most developers get their start, getting certified in PHP is one way to set yourself apart from the competition. In addition to this, it demonstrates to a potential employer that you are capable of working with the language to a certain level, which can help you stand out from the competition when looking for a new job or requesting a pay increase. The requirements of your employer and the environment in which you work are also factors in determining whether or not you should get certified in PHP. It can be challenging for a developer to find work when they fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum when it comes to whether or not their employer values PHP certifications for their developers.
It may be more beneficial to spend time building code based on what you already know how to do rather than studying to become certified in PHP in certain circumstances. This may involve participating in the development of an open-source project or developing something from the ground up. There is a good chance that employers will learn more about your linguistic abilities from this than they would from a PHP certification.
Permit me to walk you through some of the most reputable certifications that can be found on the internet
- Zend PHP Certification: The Zend certification has a high level of credibility and is widely recognized, making it an excellent metric for ranking and choosing PHP candidates. The test is designed for PHP developers who have intermediate to advanced experience. In addition to this, it provides candidates with the opportunity to attend classes tailored to their level of expertise in order to better prepare for the exam. The PHP advisory board is responsible for the development of all three levels of this course as well as its ongoing monitoring. You can also do your own self-study if you already have some programming experience; for example, you can drill yourself thoroughly on strings, arrays, file I/O, OOP concepts, and pass by reference. You can determine whether you are ready for the exam or whether you need more time to study by purchasing the Zend official guide e-book from their website. It costs $19.95, and it will help you determine whether you are ready for the exam or whether you need more time to study.
- PHP Certification through LinkedIn: This certification course from LinkedIn teaches PHP from scratch using a variety of videos and other educational resources. You will be able to demonstrate your success on LinkedIn by earning a completion badge, which you can add to your profile under the "Professional Development" section. In a manner analogous to that of Coursera, LinkedIn charges on a monthly rather than per course basis, and this fee grants access to a variety of additional courses and features.
Potential Advantages
- The primary goal of certification is, without a doubt, to provide you with official confirmation of the programming skills that you possess. After you have successfully passed the exam, you will be able to refer to yourself as a Zend Certified Engineer (for example, on your resume), and you will also be included in a directory that lists all of the individuals who have successfully passed the exam.
- Getting certified in PHP is something you should consider doing if you're an intermediate PHP developer who wants to differentiate yourself from those who are just starting out in the field. My opinion is that first-timers won't be able to handle the level of difficulty of the test because it is not an easy one.
- The test will cover a variety of aspects of PHP in a manner that is probably not necessary for beginners and will be too difficult for them. On the other hand, it is essential to keep in mind that more experienced PHP programmers can demonstrate their level of expertise by referring to their previous work experience. As evidence of their abilities, the applications they have worked on in the past, the code they have written, and their dedication to open source projects may be more valuable than the certificate.
Potential Disadvantage
The second disadvantage is a direct result of getting PHP certified. Exactly what does it take to succeed on the Zend Certification exam? (or any other exam built in a similar way). To illustrate, pretend you are being interviewed for a job and a representative from the company asks you, "What does your certificate prove?" Is this an endorsement of your software development skills? that you're capable of writing code that is well-structured, well-maintained, and adheres to best practices? that you'll have the chops to code an entire app from scratch or add functionality to an existing one? I'm sorry to say that it's not.
Keep in mind that the certificate may not be sufficient evidence that you can perform effectively in a developer role if you decide to take the exam. While it verifies your PHP expertise, it doesn't attest to how well you apply that knowledge in the real world. As such, it merely demonstrates familiarity with the equipment, but not necessarily competence in constructing anything.
Summary
One of the best languages for web development, PHP has been consistently ranked alongside Java, C++, and Python as one of the best languages overall. It is a powerful, widely used, and open-source scripting language for dynamic content. The combination of PHP and SQL is a powerful tool for finding the job of your dreams. When competing with others for a promotion, a challenging project, or a job, having certification in either one or both of these areas can unquestionably give you a significant advantage. This is true not only in your home country but also in other countries around the world.
