PHP: QuickIntro - an introduction to a server-side scripting language
A quick look at PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) and some of its uses.
PHPPHP: Hypertext Preprocessor is a server-side scripting language specifically designed for use on the Web. PHP is embedded into XHTMLExtensible Hypertext Markup Language or HTMLHypertext Markup Language and allows website developers to write dynamically generated web pages quickly. Its syntax is similar to languages such as C and Java but simpler: PHP contains only those features relevant to dynamic website construction.
PHP stands for "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor" a recursive acronym (it contains a reference to itself).
PHP runs server-side and is processed by the web server before the web page is sent to the client.
The basics of how the PHP enabled web server processes PHP:
The client web browser requests a web page that has a .php file extension
The web server recognizes that the request is for a .php file
The web server passes the request to the PHP parser on the web server
The PHP parser scans the file for any PHP code and executes that code, writing any output back to the web page
The file is passed back to the web server
The web server sends the file to the client that requested it
The client web browser displays the web page
Remember however:
PHP web pages do require a web server enabled to handle files with .php file extensions. You may need to discuss this with your Host Service Provider (HSP), but most HSPs would be able to deal with this request.
How to set-up a PHP enabled web server on your local computer for testing purposes using the free open source XAMPP package.
Here is a straightforward method for installing the Apache web server with PHP and MySQL as 'localhost' for a secure integrated development environment: Installing a web server.
PHP can be used to perform a variety of tasks.
PHP code snippets listed by task and organised in a tutorial style each building on the previous example. New topics are introduced when required.
1. |
Use of an 'include file' for sharing content that is repeated across many web pages. Learn the basics of the PHP include() function and include files. |
2. |
Process data from website forms: validate, save, return manipulated data to user. Learn how to process data from a form, validate, save to the server and return a thank you to the user. |
PHP can also:
Set and access cookies
Start and run sessions
Access databases
Authenticate users and restrict access to sections of websites
PHP is Open Source (See link below for further information on Open Source). PHP is cross-platform and will run on a variety of operating systems and web servers but has an association with and is especially suited to the Open Source Apache web server.
PHP is particularly comprehensive in its ability to interact with databases but especially the Open Source MySQL database. PHP and MySQL communicate well with each other and both are designed for use within websites.
This is just an introduction to what PHP is capable of, see links below for some further information on the use and uses of PHP.
Further PHP and Open Source resources:
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- http://www.php.net/ - home of PHP
- http://uk2.php.net/manual/en/index.php - PHP manual
- http://www.opensource.org/ - Open Source Initiative
- http://www.apache.org/ - home of the Apache web server
- http://www.mysql.com/ - home of MySQL
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