The Fastest Way for PHP Devs to Learn Python

So you’ve been writing PHP for years, maybe shipping WordPress® sites, WooCommerce® stores, or custom plugins.

Now you’re stepping into the Python world – maybe because you found Stattic and realized you don’t need a bloated CMS to build a fast, modern site.

The good news?

PHP and Python aren’t as different as they look. Once you ditch the dollar signs and semicolons, you’ll realize the core logic is nearly identical.

Here are 10 code-level similarities that’ll help you feel right at home.

1. Variables Are Loosely Typed and Dynamically Assigned

PHP:

$name = "Matt";
$age = 34;

Python:

name = "Matt"
age = 34

Both languages let you assign variables without declaring types up front.

It’s all dynamic.

2. Functions Work the Same

PHP:

function greet( $name ) {
    return "Hello, $name!";
}

Python:

def greet(name):
    return f"Hello, {name}!"

Same logic applies here. The parameters go in the parentheses and then you return something.

Python uses def and f-strings for interpolation.

3. Associative Arrays = Dictionaries

PHP:

$user = array(
    "name" => "Sarah",
    "role" => "admin"
);

Or in modern PHP:

$user = [
    "name" => "Sarah",
    "role" => "admin"
];

Python:

user = {
    "name": "Sarah",
    "role": "admin"
}

Both languages support key/value data structures.

If you’re using modern PHP with [], the transition to Python’s dict syntax is especially easy.

4. Control Structures Feel Familiar

PHP:

if ( $logged_in ) {
    echo "Welcome!";
} else {
    echo "Please log in.";
}

Or with alternative syntax:

if ( $logged_in ):
    echo "Welcome!";
else:
    echo "Please log in.";
endif;

Python:

if logged_in:
    print("Welcome!")
else:
    print("Please log in.")

PHP supports both curly braces and : syntax with endif, endforeach, etc.

Python relies on indentation and colons.

5. Loops Are Straightforward

PHP:

foreach ( $items as $item ) {
    echo $item;
}

Python:

for item in items:
    print(item)

Looping through arrays/lists is nearly identical in logic.

You simply iterate over items and do something with each of them.

6. String Concatenation Works as Expected

PHP:

$full = $first . " " . $last;

Python:

full = first + " " + last

The dot becomes a plus in Python. Or you can skip it altogether with an f-string:

full = f"{first} {last}"

7. Truthy Logic Is Nearly Identical

PHP:

if ( !$items ) {
    echo "No items found.";
}

Python:

if not items:
    print("No items found.")

Falsy values like empty arrays, strings, null/None, and zero behave the same in conditionals.

8. You Can Organize Code Into Reusable Modules

PHP:

include 'helpers.php';
require_once 'lib/tools.php';

Python:

from helpers import format_date
import tools

PHP uses include and require; Python uses import and from.

Both let you reuse and organize code into separate files.

9. Object-Oriented Programming Is Available (and Optional)

PHP:

class Post {
    public $title;

    public function __construct( $title ) {
        $this->title = $title;
    }
}

Python:

class Post:
    def __init__(self, title):
        self.title = title

If you’ve written classes in PHP, Python’s version will feel familiar.

Constructors, properties, and methods behave the same in both languages.

10. Ternary Syntax Exists and Is Readable

PHP:

$status = ( $logged_in ) ? 'Welcome' : 'Guest';

Python:

status = "Welcome" if logged_in else "Guest"

Same idea, just in a different order.

PHP checks the condition first, while Python puts the condition in the middle.

Bonus: Jinja2 Templates Look a Lot Like PHP

If you’ve used <?php echo $title; ?> or <?= $title ?>, Jinja2 will feel very natural.

Example:

<h1>{{ title }}</h1>

{% if posts %}
  <ul>
    {% for post in posts %}
      <li>{{ post.title }}</li>
    {% endfor %}
  </ul>
{% else %}
  <p>No posts found.</p>
{% endif %}

• {{ variable }} outputs content
• {% control %} handles logic like if, for, etc.

It pairs perfectly with TailwindCSS too.

Keep your templates clean, semantic, and fast.

Continuing your Python journey

I’ve just released a new Python Course that goes over Python programming from beginner to advanced.

It’s broken up into digestable posts so you can learn at your own pace.

If you’re coming from PHP, you don’t need to relearn programming to use Python effectively – you just need to map over the syntax.

The logic, flow, and patterns are nearly identical.

With tools like Stattic and templating via Jinja2, you’ll be up and running fast – building modern, maintainable sites without the weight of a full CMS.

Check out the course, and welcome to the wonderful world of Python 🤘