PHP, often mocked by developers, powers 70-80% of websites and has evolved significantly since 1995. Like JavaScript, it grew from humble web scripting origins to become a major programming language despite initial design flaws. Modern PHP includes advanced OOP features, functional programming constructs, strong typing, and comprehensive tooling. The new FrankenPHP runtime, built with Go, promises to modernize PHP's execution model while maintaining compatibility. Despite ongoing stigma from its early days, PHP remains the "Toyota Corolla" of programming languages - reliable, accessible, and widely supported through affordable hosting options.