What is PHP?
- PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor.
- PHP is a server-side scripting language which is primarily used for web development.
- PHP code is executed on the server, generating HTML which is then sent to the user's web browser.
- It is a server-side scripting language and a powerful tool for creating interactive and dynamic web pages.
- PHP is widely used, and it's free for all.
Uses of PHP
- PHP is used for Dynamic web page content generation.
- PHP is used for Data Processing and Form Handling.
- PHP interacts with databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL).
- PHP is used for Developing web-based applications like Content Management Systems (CMS), E-Commerce Platforms, and Forums.
What PHP Can Do
- PHP can generate dynamic page content for web pages.
- It can Create, Read, Write, Open, Delete, and Close files on the server.
- It can collect form data and can send or receive cookies.
- PHP can Add, Delete, and Modify data in your database.
- It can be used to control user-access.
Advantages of PHP
- PHP is easy to learn and use for beginners.
- PHP is Open-Source and Platform-Independent, and it is also compatible with various Operating Systems.
- PHP is a great choice for integrating with databases, and it provides robust support for database interaction.
- PHP has a large and active community with extensive documentation and numerous libraries and frameworks available.
Disadvantages of PHP
- In PHP inconsistent function names and parameter orders across versions, lead to potential compatibility issues.
- If PHP is not properly set or programmed, it can create vulnerability to security breaches.
- PHP has limited support for multithreading compared to some other server-side languages.
- Performance may be an issue for highly demanding applications when compared to compiled languages like C++.
Popular PHP Frameworks
1. Laravel: Laravel is a powerful MVC (Model-View-Controller) framework with expressive syntax for PHP.
2. Symfony: Symfony is an extensive collection of PHP components that may be reused, as well as a strong framework for developing websites.
3. CodeIgniter: It is a lightweight MVC framework known for its speed and simplicity.
4. Zend Framework: An enterprise-level framework with a focus on flexibility and scalability.
PHP Syntax with HTML
index.php
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<h1>Tutorial 1 - Introduction to PHP</h1>
<?php
echo "Hello World!";
?>
</body>
</html>
