The language itself is whatever. As usual, though, it's the system built up around it. PHP is associated with shoddy craftsmanship and below-entry-level "webdev

The language itself is whatever. As usual, though, it's the system built up around it. PHP is associated with shoddy craftsmanship and below-entry-level "webdev" shops shoving out slop, usually in the form of semi-customized CSMs like WordPress or Joomla (and which are generally really terrible quality) for local/regional mom-and-pops, or personal blogs/forumns, because that is what the bulk of the "80% of websites" is. The fact that some big name companies use it doesn't change that perception (especially when one examines the claim more deeply and realizes their use of PHP is surface-level at best anyway).