Introduction to PHP

PHP – Hypertext Preprocessor

PHP is a widely-used, open-source scripting language designed especially for web development. It runs on the server side and is used to create dynamic, interactive websites and web applications. Unlike HTML, which is static, PHP can interact with databases, handle forms, manage sessions, and generate customized web pages based on user input.

Key features of PHP include:

• Server-side execution: PHP code is processed on the server before the output is sent to the user’s browser.

• Database connectivity: It can easily connect with databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle to store and retrieve data.

• Cross-platform support: PHP runs on major operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS.

• Integration with HTML: PHP can be embedded directly within HTML code, making it simple to add functionality to web pages.

• Open-source and community-driven: PHP has a large developer community that contributes frameworks (like Laravel, CodeIgniter) and content management systems (like WordPress, Joomla).

Because of its simplicity, flexibility, and wide support, PHP remains one of the most popular tools for developing websites, e-commerce platforms, and content management systems.