There was an interesting post on The Server Side last week, regarding the difference in focus between the PHP and Java open-source development communities. PHP developers are comming out with huge volumes of collaboration and portal applications, whereas Java programmers seem to be obsessed with the latest and greatest framework.
Large corporations are more likely to standardize on a platform like Java for their development, and the people who develop in it are going to be focused on solving technical issues beyond the business domain. Most Java developers I have spoken to are looking for ways to get better industrial-strength software developed in as short a timeframe as possible, thus the focus on testing, integration frameworks and the like.
PHP, despite the claim (which has been around since I developed in it 4 years ago) that it is gaining acceptance within the enterprise, still remains a way to get something out in a short amount of time. It may be quick but I wouldn’t go around developing mission critical software in it – especially since I can’t test it easily (at the time of writing there isn’t a standard package to test PHP scripts – despite the fact the the language is in version 5). Given it’s accessibility and ease of learning many non-professionals may pick up on PHP to get whatever they need out the door.
According to Irishjobs.ie there are 35 PHP jobs and 658 Java jobs advertised in Dublin today – that’s could account for at least some of the difference.