PHP vs. Python

• a scripting language for everday (not strictly limited to web programming; PHP's CLI implementation is weak...)
• indentation rather than curly braces makes for nicer-looking, and easier-to-write code
• much less namespace pollution. each module is assigned its own namespace (unless you choose otherwise). this significantly clears up the global namespace and lets you worry less about naming conflicts.
• everything is an object.
• method chaining allows you to put things that would take five or six lines into one line.
• small core makes for a faster language
• concise, intuitive syntax. python is the kind of language you can pick up and go with -- it works with you, not against you.
• tons of modules to accomplish any task you could possibly dream of
• self-documenting with docstrings
• exception handling
• excellent methods for tuples, dictionaries and lists, as well as differentiation between all three.

Overall Python makes for a better language, and it is extremely enjoyable to program in. Python does exactly what you expect it do which is part of what makes it so great. If you're looking for a new programming language, check out Python.