PHP Introduction

PHP stand for Hypertext Preprocessor or simply PHP.

PHP is a server-side programming language basically designed for web development. It is use in web application to develop static and dynamic web base application. It was originally created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994.

PHP application are designed embedding PHP scripts within a web page along with its HTML. Basically PHP language deal with HTML language to develop a web application (website).

History of PHP

PHP was originally created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994.

What meant by server-side scripting or language?

A server-side scripting or language is which only run on server side. Mean, that languages not run on client side (mean client machine). To run these languages a server required like Apache Web Server, LAMP.

How PHP work?

Unlike standard HTML pages which are sent directly from the web server to the end user, PHP files are first interpreted by the PHP application which then converts the PHP scripts into on other form for display. This process eliminates the end user from being able to see the original PHP script that was embedded in the HTML and provides true interaction in HTML files. This process is similar to proprietary application such as ASP.

PHP file extension

PHP file is save with “.php” extension. It's run on server with help of browser.

What we can do in PHP?

• We can create dynamic pages.
• We can collect data from user.
• We can create, send and receive cookies.
• We can create session.
• We can encrypt the data.

Why PHP?

• It is easy to learn and runs smoothly on server side.
• It is very light weighted to use.
• It’s run on various platforms like (Windows OS, Linux OS, Mac OS X, etc.)
• It’s support a wide range of database like (MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, etc.)
• It is open source.
• It is free and you can download it from its official website www.php.net