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Improve PHP Coding Standards: Practical Guide to Enhance Project Readability and Maintainability

gitbox 2025-06-15

1. Introduction

PHP is a widely used programming language with flexible syntax. While this flexibility offers convenience to beginners, it often results in inconsistent coding styles that hinder future maintenance. Establishing uniform coding standards is essential for maintaining clean and manageable code.

2. Naming Conventions

2.1 Constants

Constant names should be written in uppercase letters, with words separated by underscores. This approach helps prevent naming conflicts and improves code clarity.


const TAX_RATE = 0.1;
const MAX_NUMBER = 100;

2.2 Variables

Variable names should be descriptive and start with a letter or underscore, followed by letters, numbers, or underscores. Prefer lowercase letters, separate multiple words with underscores, and keep names concise.


$username = 'example';
$num_of_items = 5;

2.3 Functions

Function names should be concise yet descriptive, starting with a lowercase letter and using underscores to separate words. Avoid overly short names to prevent confusion.


function get_user_name($user_id) {
    // some code here
}

3. Indentation and Spacing

Proper indentation and spacing are fundamental to code readability. Use 4 spaces for indentation and avoid tabs. Add spaces around operators and between function parameters to improve clarity.


$result = 2 + 3;
$array = array('one', 'two', 'three');
function get_user_info($user_id, $user_name) {
    // some code here
}

4. Comments

4.1 Block and Line Comments

Block comments should be paired and used to explain larger code sections. Line comments are for explaining single lines, enhancing code understanding.


// Get user name by ID
function get_user_name($user_id) {
    // some code here
}

4.2 Function Comments

Functions should include detailed comment blocks explaining their purpose, parameters, and return values to aid understanding and use.


/**
 * Get user info by ID
 *
 * @param int $user_id User ID
 *
 * @return array User info
 */
function get_user_info($user_id) {
    // some code here
}

5. Braces

Always use curly braces to enclose code blocks, regardless of whether they contain single or multiple lines, to maintain clear structure.


if ($condition) {
    // some code here
}

6. Conditional Statements

Conditional statements must use braces even for single lines to avoid potential errors.


if ($condition) {
    $result = 1;
} else {
    $result = 2;
}

7. Classes

Each class should reside in its own file named after the class. Class names use PascalCase. Member variables and methods should explicitly declare access modifiers (public, protected, private).


class User {
    protected $name;
    private $age;
    public function __construct($name, $age) {
        $this->name = $name;
        $this->age = $age;
    }
    return $this->name;
}

protected function get_age() {
    return $this->age;
}

}

8. Conclusion

Following these PHP coding standards significantly improves code readability and maintenance efficiency, preventing confusion and redundant work during future development. Good coding habits are the foundation of high-quality, sustainable projects and deserve every developer's attention and practice.

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