Chapter 1: Introduction to PHP
Chapter 1 of 15
Chapter 1: Introduction to PHP
1.1 What is PHP?
PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a server-side scripting language designed for web development. It is embedded in HTML and executed on the server before the page is sent to the browser.
Key Features:
- Server-Side: Executes on the server, not in the browser
- Open Source: Free to use and modify
- Cross-Platform: Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS
- Database Integration: Excellent support for MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.
- Large Community: Extensive documentation and support
1.2 PHP Use Cases
PHP is used for various web development tasks.
Common Uses:
- Dynamic web pages and web applications
- Content management systems (WordPress, Drupal)
- E-commerce platforms
- API development
- Server-side form processing
1.3 PHP vs Other Languages
Understanding PHP in context helps you choose the right tool.
PHP vs JavaScript:
- PHP: Server-side, processes before page loads
- JavaScript: Client-side, runs in browser
PHP vs Python:
- PHP: Optimized for web development
- Python: General-purpose, strong in data science