PHP Tutorial

PHP Tutorial and Guide

PHP is an object-oriented, open-source, server-side, and interpreted scripting language that is used to create web applications. It is very simple and easy to learn. The PHP files consist of text, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and PHP code. Since it is executed on the server, the result will be shown in the browser in HTML. Therefore, it is helpful for students and professionals interested in web development. This PHP tutorial offers in-depth knowledge of the PHP scripting language. Moreover, it simply helps in understanding PHP.

Why do we need to learn PHP?

There are several reasons why PHP is considered advantageous. It includes:

• Ability to run on different platforms such as Linux, Mac OS, Windows, Unix, etc.
• Supports a large range of DBs such as Oracle, MySQL, Sybase, PostgreSQL, etc.
• Open Source
• Easy to learn
• Compatible with different servers such as IIS, Apache, etc.
• Scripts run faster than JSP and ASP Scripts.
• Manage session tracking and dynamic content, and build E-Commerce sites.
• Supports various protocols like IMAP, POP3, LDAP, etc.
• C-like syntax
• Possible to encrypt data
• Performs system functions

In addition, characteristics such as Simplicity, Security, Familiarity, Efficiency, and Flexibility are the other reasons why programmers consider PHP.

Applications of PHP

PHP can be applied in different situations. They are:

• Dynamically generating pages as well as files.
• Sending emails to website users.
• Sending and receiving cookies to track the website, and visitors.
• Collecting data from web forms. i.e., collecting data from different files, saving data to a file, sending data through email, returning data to the proper user, etc.
• Storing, deleting, adding, and modifying data present in the database.
• Restrict unauthorized access to the website to protect it from hackers and other bugs.

Example

Normally, a PHP script can be written anywhere in the document, and its default file extension is .php.

The script begins with <?php and ends with ?>, as shown below.

<?php
// your PHP code will be written here .
?>

Moreover, the PHP file consists of HTML tags and some scripting code on PHP.

Here is an example:

<?php
echo "<h2> It's time to learn PHP.. Here you go !!! </h2>";
echo "Echo is used to print the content inside quotes.. <br>";
echo "This tutorial will be helpful for you to understand more on PHP.. <br>";
echo "This ", "line ", "is ", "written ", "to understand another way of writing in PHP. . .";
?>

Sample Output

As you can see, on executing the code, the following lines will be displayed. Since <h2> is used, that line is considered as a header. Several other notations will be discussed in this tutorial in detail.

Pre-requisites

It is advised to have a basic understanding of the Internet, Programming Databases, HTML, and MySQL before you start Learning PHP.

Target Audience

This tutorial on PHP is designed for beginners, professionals, and PHP programmers who are unaware of the various concepts in-depth.