I think you are correct. It sounds like PHP works well for the problems you solve. I think it's similar to saying Python is the best choice for data science. I

I think you are correct. It sounds like PHP works well for the problems you solve. I think it's similar to saying Python is the best choice for data science. It is. Not because it's a good language (it's not) but because due to factors like ecosystem it's the right tool for the job. There is nothing wrong with embracing these local maximums. I'm just tired of people asserting PHP is an -objectively- good/comparable language. Because it's not, for all of it's improvements it's still not close. Is that ok? I think it is. Still solves problems effectively. My "objectively inferior" language is Ruby. I use it all the time to do all sorts of things, little web servers, home automation, scripts on my desktop/laptop, etc. I like it, it works for me. Doesn't change the fact Ruby is flat out inferior to the languages I use at work.