The term PHP is an acronym for – Hypertext Preprocessor. PHP is a server-side scripting language designed specifically for web development. It is an open-source which means it is free to download and use. It is very simple to learn and use. The file extension of PHP is “.php”.
PHP is a server-side scripting language created primarily for web development but it is also used as a general-purpose programming language. Unlike client-side languages like JavaScript, which are executed on the user’s browser, PHP scripts run on the server. The results are then sent to the client’s web browser as plain HTML.
PHP can actually do anything related to server-side scripting or more popularly known as the backend of a website. For example, PHP can receive data from forms, generate dynamic page content, can work with databases, create sessions, send and receive cookies, send emails, etc. There are also many hash functions available in PHP to encrypt users’ data which makes PHP secure and reliable to be used as a server-side scripting language. So these are some of PHP’s abilities that make it suitable to be used as a server-side scripting language. You will get to know more of these abilities in
Even if the above abilities do not convince you of PHP, there are some more features of PHP. PHP can run on all major operating systems like Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS X, etc. Almost all of the major servers available today like Apache supports PHP. PHP allows using a wide range of databases. And the most important factor is that it is free to use and download and anyone can download PHP from its official source:
Open Source:
PHP is an open-source language, meaning it is freely available for anyone to use and distribute. This openness has fostered a large and active community of developers who continuously contribute to its growth, improvement, and feature development.
Easy to Learn:
The syntax of PHP is quite similar to C and other programming languages. This makes PHP relatively easy to learn, especially for developers who already have some programming experience. Beginners find it approachable due to its straightforward syntax and extensive online resources.
Web Integration:
PHP is designed specifically for web development and is embedded within HTML. It seamlessly integrates with various web technologies, facilitating the creation of dynamic and interactive web pages.
Database Support:
PHP has excellent support for various databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and more. This makes it easy to connect and interact with databases, a crucial aspect of many web applications.
Cross-Platform Compatibility:
PHP is platform-independent and runs on various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and others. This ensures compatibility across different environments.
Large Community and Documentation:
PHP has a vast and active community of developers. The abundance of online resources, tutorials, and documentation makes it easier for developers to find solutions and seek help when needed.
Frameworks and CMS:
There are popular PHP frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter, which provide pre-built modules and features, aiding in rapid development. Additionally, PHP supports widely used content management systems (CMS) like WordPress and Joomla.
Server-Side Scripting:
PHP scripts are executed on the server, reducing the load on the client’s side. This server-side scripting capability is crucial for generating dynamic content and performing server-related tasks.
Community Support:
The PHP community actively contributes to the language’s development, ensuring regular updates, security patches, and improvements.
