PHP is one of the most sought-after languages by beginners. It is so easy to learn that by following simple steps you may be able to write PHP scripts, within no time. Its simple script makes you feel very comfortable while writing. Though PHP is a very simple language, it offers various advanced features that are useful for a professional programmer, as well. In this article, we are going to discuss some basic information about PHP.
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What is PHP Programming?
Generally known as server-side scripting language PHP is a recursive acronym for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. It is a general-purpose scripting language that is embedded in HTML and is perfect for web development. It is compatible with all the Operating Systems like Linux, Unix, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and others.
PHP was developed in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf, who is a famous Danish-Canadian Programmer. He had given it the name- “Personal Home Page” which was replaced with its recursive initialism by Zeev Suraski and Andi Gutmans, the two renowned programmers, while they were developing PHP 3.
What is PHP Used For?
As we know that PHP is mainly used for server-side scripting. So, you can do almost anything with PHP. It is used to create dynamic page content, session tracking, databases, develop e-commerce sites, and so on. It is connected with various databases such as Oracle, MySQL, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, etc. One of the strongest features of PHP is that it supports a variety of databases.
The following are some of the areas where PHP scripts are successfully used:
Server-Side Script
This is the most common use of PHP scripts. It requires a Web server, PHP Parser, and a Web Browser
Command Line Script
Here PHP scripts run without any server or browser. The only thing you need is a PHP parser. These scripts are used for simple processing tasks. They are also ideal for scripts usually executed with cron jobs or Task Scheduler on Linux or Windows respectively.
Desktop Applications
Using some advanced features of PHP you can develop desktop applications. PHP-GTK is an advanced tool through which you can develop cross-platform applications. It is an extension to PHP.
You can also work with Laravel, Codeigniter, or Symfony which are the open-sourced PHP designed framework used to develop web applications very fast.
Why is PHP So Popular?
As we know PHP is one of the topmost languages. In Website Development, PHP is recognized as an A-list programming language. PHP is a robust and developer-friendly language. The Facebook that we use so comfortably is fully based on PHP. Many of the social media platforms are best developed underneath PHP. Some other Web developing languages such as Python, JAVA are also used for general purpose applications as well as mobile applications but PHP is always on the dominating side. It still works gracefully in the web world and has a deep impact on developers’ minds.
PHP is the most widely used programming script in web content development and database management. Many developers especially opt for PHP programmers as a career. Its popularity is due to its extreme simplicity in code and high compatibility with other platforms.
If only PHP can join hands with some latest technology tools then it can offer many more unbeatable development packages.
Final Thoughts
PHP is one of the best programming scripts used to develop web-based content. It can easily be learned through many online web tutorials, PHP cookbooks, and ebooks. You can choose any of the options available online or offline. Regular practice and thorough study will make you a PHP expert within no time and you can make a successful career as a PHP developer.
