PHP is popular because users know it is a good compromise between javaish stuffs ( type hinting in functions and methods , private,protected,public members, int

PHP is popular because users know it is a good compromise between javaish stuffs ( type hinting in functions and methods , private,protected,public members, interfaces,and abstract classes ) and some whatever dynamic stuff out there ( dynamic , weak typing ) and some weird/functional stuffs ( pointers , closures , callbacks ). Yes PHP has a lot of bad parts. But its good parts are really really good. Most hosting providers dont allow serious php development anyway , so it makes little difference. You need a vps or a PAAS to do serious PHP development , like any other solution out there. I love python and ruby. But I really miss type hinting everytime i use one of these.