Introduction to PHP

Introduction to PHP

What is PHP?

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a widely-used open-source scripting language specifically designed for web development. It is embedded in HTML and executed on the server, making it a powerful tool for creating dynamic web pages and applications.

Why Use PHP?

  • Easy to learn and use
  • Open-source and free
  • Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, Linux, macOS)
  • Supports a wide range of databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.)
  • Highly flexible and scalable for both small and large projects

Basic PHP Syntax

A simple PHP script looks like this:



        

Key Features of PHP

  • Server-side scripting
  • Supports object-oriented programming
  • Built-in session management
  • Strong security features
  • Wide community support