INTRODUCTION TO PHP
HISTORY:
PHP, which stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, is a widely used open-source scripting language
primarily designed for web development and can be embedded into HTML. It was created by Danish-
Canadian programmer Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994, originally as a set of Common Gateway Interface (CGI)
binaries written in C for tracking visits to his online resume. Over time, PHP evolved into a full-fledged
programming language with a rich set of features and functionalities.
INSTALLATION:
Installing PHP on your computer is relatively straightforward and can be done using various methods
depending on your operating system. One common approach is to use a package manager such as
Homebrew for macOS or apt-get for Linux distributions like Ubuntu. Alternatively, you can download the
PHP binaries directly from the official PHP website and configure them manually. Additionally, there are
pre-packaged solutions like XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP that bundle PHP along with other components
like Apache web server and MySQL database, making it easier to set up a local development environment.
XAMPP: Cross-Platform, Apache, MySQL, PHP and Perl
IMPORTANCE:
PHP holds significant importance in web development for several reasons:
• Versatility: PHP can handle various tasks ranging from creating dynamic web pages to building
complex web applications. Its versatility allows developers to accomplish diverse tasks efficiently.
• Ease of Use: With its simple and intuitive syntax, PHP is relatively easy to learn and use, making it
accessible to both beginners and experienced developers alike.
• Large Community and Resources: PHP boasts a vast and active community of developers
contributing to its ecosystem by creating libraries, frameworks, and documentation. This extensive
support network ensures that developers can find solutions to their problems quickly.
• Compatibility: PHP is compatible with different operating systems and web servers, including
Apache, Nginx, and Microsoft IIS, providing developers with flexibility in choosing their development
environment.
• Scalability: PHP powers a significant portion of the web, from small personal websites to large-scale
enterprise applications. Its scalability makes it suitable for projects of all sizes, allowing developers to
grow their applications as needed.
HOW TO USE PHP:
1. Setting Up a Development Environment:
Local Development: Set up a local development environment on your computer. You can use solutions like
XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP, which provide a bundle of Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
Remote Development: Some developers prefer to work directly on remote servers. In this case, ensure your
server has PHP installed and configured.
2. Writing PHP Code:
• Create PHP Files: PHP code is typically written within files with a ".php" extension.
• Embedding PHP: PHP code can be embedded directly into HTML files using opening and closing
PHP tags <?php ?>.
• Basic Syntax: PHP statements end with a semicolon (;). Variables in PHP start with a dollar sign ($),
followed by the variable name.
• Comments: Use // for single-line comments and /* */ for multi-line comments.
3. Running PHP Code:
Local Testing: Save your PHP file in the appropriate directory of your local server (e.g., htdocs in XAMPP)
and access it through a web browser by navigating to http://localhost/yourfile.php.
Remote Deployment: Upload your PHP files to your web server using FTP or SSH, and access them through
the server's URL.
• FTP: File Transfer Protocol – computer software that facilitates the secure exchange of files over a
TCP/IP
• TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol – a communications standard that enables
application programs and devices to exchange messages over a network
• SSH: Secure Shell – a network communication protocol that enables two computers to communicate
and share data
4. PHP Features:
Variables: Declare and use variables to store data.
Operators: PHP supports various operators for arithmetic, comparison, and logical operations.
Control Structures: Use control structures like if-else, switch, while, for, foreach for flow control.
Functions: Define and call functions to encapsulate reusable code.
Arrays: Work with indexed arrays, associative arrays, and multidimensional arrays.
Forms Handling: Process form data submitted from HTML forms using $_POST or $_GET superglobal
arrays.
5. Integrating with Web Applications:
Server-Side Processing: Use PHP to dynamically generate web content, handle user authentication,
interact with databases, and more.
Database Interaction: PHP can connect to databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, etc., to perform
CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations.
Session Management: Manage user sessions and cookies to maintain state across multiple requests.
• User Sessions: a series of “user actions” performed by an individual on your website or web
application within a specific timeframe
➢ The user stays on your website
➢ The user session lasts only for a certain amount of time (the standard is 30 minutes)
• Cookies: text files with small pieces of data (like username and password) that identify your computer
as you use a network.
➢ Specific cookies are used to identify specific users and improve their web browsing
experience.
File Handling: PHP provides functions to manipulate files and directories on the server.
6. Learning Resources:
Documentation: Refer to the official PHP documentation (php.net) for detailed information on PHP functions,
syntax, and features.
Tutorials and Courses: Explore online tutorials, courses, and books dedicated to learning PHP.
Community Support: Engage with the PHP community through forums, user groups, and Q&A platforms for
assistance and guidance.
By following these steps and leveraging PHP's features, you can create dynamic and interactive web
applications to meet a wide range of requirements. Continuous practice and exploration will enhance your
proficiency in using PHP for web development.
