Josh_Hacking

Lesson
Detailed Info

Creating your first Php Program with Mysql

What is PHP?

PHP is a server side scripting language. that is used to develop Static websites or Dynamic websites or Web applications.

PHP stands for Hypertext Pre-processor, that earlier stood for Personal Home Pages. PHP scripts can only be interpreted on a server that has PHP installed.

The client computers accessing the PHP scripts require a web browser only.

What does PHP stand for?

PHP means - Personal Home Page, but it now stands for the recursive backronym PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor.

PHP code may be embedded into HTML code, or it can be used in combination with various web template systems, web content management system and web frameworks.

Php Syntax

A PHP file can also contain tags such as HTML and client side scripts such as JavaScript.

HTML is an added advantage when learning PHP Language. You can even learn PHP without knowing HTML but it’s recommended you at least know the basics of HTML.
Database management systems DBMS for database powered applications.
For more advanced topics such as interactive applications and web services, you will need JavaScript and XML.

The flowchart diagram shown below illustrates the basic architecture of a PHP web application and how the server handles the requests.

Why use PHP?

You have obviously heard of a number of programming languages out there; you may be wondering why we would want to use PHP as our poison for the web programming. Below are some of the compelling reasons.

PHP is open source and free.
Short learning curve compared to other languages such as JSP, ASP etc.
Large community document
Most web hosting servers support PHP by default unlike other languages such as ASP that need IIS. This makes PHP a cost effective choice.
PHP is regular updated to keep abreast with the latest technology trends.
Other benefit that you get with PHP is that it’s a server side scripting language; this means you only need to install it on the server and client computers requesting for resources from the server do not need to have PHP installed; only a web browser would be enough.
PHP has in built support for working hand in hand with MySQL; this doesn’t mean you can’t use PHP with other database management systems. You can still use PHP with
- Postgres
- Oracle
- MS SQL Server
- ODBC etc.
PHP is cross platform; this means you can deploy your application on a number of different operating systems such as windows, Linux, Mac OS etc.

Install WAMP or XAMPP and create your own php website and run it from your server