The design of a language and the performance of programs written in that language are fairly separate issues. Of course they combine to create the overall value

The design of a language and the performance of programs written in that language are fairly separate issues. Of course they combine to create the overall value of PHP, but it's like... To use an auto analogy... imagine a really uncomfortable car with no cup holders that has amazing transmission performance. When I say 'the language itself' I mean the interface as presented to a programmer, not a sysadmin.