What is PHP? What is PHP used for? Common Usage of PHP

The word PHP will come to mind while considering the development of websites or online programmes. I will try to help you comprehend the basics of PHP and its usage if you are a beginner web developer or would like to learn more about this.

What is PHP?

Hypertext Pre-processor is sometimes known as Personal Home Pages, or PHP. PHP is an object-oriented server-side programming language that is open-source. Its goal is to develop web-based, dynamic, and static applications. Before using any PHP programmes, it must first be installed on a local host or web host. Only servers with PHP installed may modify PHP scripts. Only a web browser may be used to view the PHP script. PHP file has a.php suffix and contains PHP tags. You may use and download it for free.

Also, You may visit What is PHP to know the fundamentals of PHP

Why use PHP?

• Free and Open Source

• There are almost all required documentation and videos.

• extensive community backing

• practically all hosting servers support

• HTML integration is simple

• shorter learning curve than other languages

• built-in assistance

• PHP is platform-neutral.

• runs effectively on the server-side or backend

• simple to learn

• Database connections are simple. The most used database for PHP is MySQL. Additional databases

1. Oracle

2. Postgres

3. MS SQL Server

4. ODBC etc.

Examples of PHP’s popularity

The most widely used server-side or backend programming language is PHP. WordPress, the top blogging platform on the internet, was created using PHP. Facebook, the most widely used social network, is also created with PHP.

Examples-

• Facebook.com

• Wikipedia.org

• Microsoft.com

• WordPress.com

• Zoom.us

• Vk.com

• 17ok.com

• Instructure.com

• 360. cn

• Sina.com.cn

PHP Syntex

The PHP file contains PHP tags. PHP files may contain a wide variety of tags, including HTML and front-side scripts like JavaScript.

PHP File Extensions

Some old extension

• .phtml

• .php3

• .php4

• .php5

• .phps

But currently, The file must save with the “.php” extension

Versions of PHP

The most recent version is PHP 7 (7.4.12, Till November 2020). In PHP 7, error handling has improved and become noticeably faster. However, PHP 5.6 is the most popular. PHP 5.3 is also widely used.

Most Popular PHP Frameworks

• Laravel

• Codeigniter

• Phalcon

• CakePHP

• Symfony

• Zend

• FuelPHP

• YII

• PHPixie

• Slim

What will PHP do with it?

• Dynamic page creation

• Can create, delete, add, close, read, write, open, and modify possible

• Data encryption

• Database edit

• Cookies receive and send

• User Access Control

What is Scripting Language?

Programming that comprises of instructions for automating the performance of tasks and interpreting them at run time is known as scripting, sometimes referred to as a scripting language.

The script language's objective is to increase performance and complete each work for an application in order. HTML may be used for server-side and client-side operations. Both client-side and server-side functionalities are included in the HTML page.

Difference between Scripting Language and Programming Language

Scripting Language

• It is used for routine work.

• Execution is possible without compilation

• It has been incorporated into a number of software platforms.

Programming Language

• The best server-side language for building any kind of internet application is PHP.

• Prior to execution, compilation is essential.

• No extra software has to be integrated.

What is PHP used for? and Common Usage of PHP

According to data from W3Techs, PHP is used by 78.9% of all websites worldwide.

Common PHP use-

• CMS (Example: WordPress, Joomla)

• Blogs (News365)

• E-Commerce (Example: Prestashop, Magento, Opencart, etc.)

• Social Media Sites (Example: Facebook, Digg)

• Others (Example: Wikipedia, Yahoo)

Comparison between PHP and other Languages

PHP-

Hypertext Pre-processor, or PHP.

• Easy to Learn

• practically all web hosting support is open-source

• It's easy to incorporate HTML.

• possibility of extending to other languages

• Since MySQL is native, it can be supported by other databases.

• built-in web services support.

ASP

Active Server Pages are referred to as ASP.

• a bit difficult to learn

• The program ASP is not open-source.

• There must be a dedicated hosting server.

• HTML Extended allows for complex interfaces, which other languages cannot.

• Third-party drivers are necessary in order to connect to the database.

• using web services

• Internet architecture

JSP-

Java Server Pages are referred to as JSP.

• difficult than PHP

• Web hosting's open-source assistance is sufficient.

• Complex integration with HTML Extension is made possible by Java classes and libraries.

• Third-party drivers are necessary in order to connect to the database.

• Web services make use of add-on libraries.

CFML-

Cold Fusion Markup Language is known as CFML.

• difficult than PHP

• It is possible to access both the open-source and paid versions.

• There must be a dedicated hosting server.

• Connecting HTML Extended to other languages is straightforward.

• The most recent version makes use of native support, whereas earlier iterations used ODBC.

Wrapping Up

Popular server-side programming languages include PHP. Almost all sorts of websites utilize PHP. PHP and the PHP framework are used to construct complex online applications like management tools, such as CMS, eCommerce, hospitals, pharmacies, HRMS, ERP, inventory, learning management systems for restaurants and hotels, and chatbots.

Learn the essentials of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript if you're just getting started. Think about the fact that PHP still commands a 78% market share.

Interested in testing your knowledge? For online tests, go to online PHP for test.

Thanks for Reading!

Happy Learning!