I have extensive experience with various PHP frameworks, including Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter. My proficiency lies primarily in Laravel due to its robust ecosystem, elegant syntax, and powerful features such as Eloquent ORM and Blade templating engine. I have successfully developed and maintained several web applications using Laravel, ensuring high performance, scalability, and security.

I utilize a combination of tools and techniques for debugging PHP applications. This includes using Xdebug for step-by-step debugging, logging errors and exceptions in a centralized log system, and employing tools like PHPStorm for code analysis. Additionally, I follow a systematic approach by isolating the issue, reviewing relevant code, and testing potential solutions iteratively to ensure the root cause is identified and resolved efficiently.

Ensuring the security of PHP applications involves multiple strategies. I implement input validation and sanitization to prevent SQL injection and XSS attacks. I also use prepared statements and parameterized queries to safeguard against SQL injection. Regularly updating dependencies and frameworks, applying the principle of least privilege, and conducting regular security audits and penetration testing are integral parts of my security practices.

Performance optimization in PHP involves several techniques. I start by profiling the application to identify bottlenecks, such as slow database queries or inefficient algorithms. I then optimize these areas by indexing databases, caching frequently accessed data, and refactoring code for better efficiency. Additionally, I leverage opcode caching with tools like OPcache and employ load balancing and horizontal scaling for high-traffic applications.

I have extensive experience with version control systems, particularly Git. My workflow involves creating feature branches for new developments, using pull requests for code reviews, and merging changes through a central repository. I also employ tools like GitHub or GitLab for issue tracking and continuous integration. This collaborative approach ensures code quality, facilitates team communication, and maintains a clean and organized codebase.