PHP Topics

Introduction to PHP

Welcome to the world of PHP – a powerful, open-source, server-side scripting language widely used for web development.¹ PHP stands for “PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor,” and it’s what makes websites dynamic and interactive.² Unlike client-side languages like JavaScript, PHP code runs on the server, generating HTML that is then sent to the user’s browser.³

This capability allows PHP to connect with databases (like MySQL), process form data, manage user sessions, and handle files, forming the backbone of countless popular websites and web applications, including major platforms like WordPress and Facebook.⁴ It’s known for its flexibility, extensive community support, and relatively easy learning curve, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to dive into backend web development.⁵ Get ready to build dynamic web experiences!

What is PHP?

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a widely-used open-source server-side scripting language primarily designed for web development. PHP code runs on the server and sends the result (usually HTML) to the client browser.

PHP is embedded within HTML, making it a natural choice for building dynamic websites and web applications.

Why Learn PHP?

• ✅ Easy to Learn — Simple syntax similar to C and JavaScript
• 🌐 Web-Centric — Made for web development with built-in support for HTML, forms, sessions, databases, and more
• 🔒 Secure & Scalable — Powers platforms like Facebook, WordPress, and Wikipedia
• 📚 Vast Ecosystem — Thousands of libraries, CMSs (like WordPress), and frameworks (like Laravel)
• 💸 Cost-Effective — Works with free and open-source tech like Apache, MySQL, and Linux

Real-World Use Cases of PHP

• 📰 WordPress-based blogs and websites
• 🛒 E-commerce platforms (e.g., WooCommerce, OpenCart)
• 🧾 Form handling and data storage
• 🔐 Login systems with user authentication
• 📊 Dynamic dashboards and reports
• 💬 Forums, CMSs, and custom backend panels

Setting Up PHP on Your System

To run PHP scripts locally, you need a server stack like:

Recommended Options:

We recommend XAMPP for cross-platform users.

Steps to Set Up XAMPP:

1. Go to https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html
2. Download and install XAMPP for your OS.
3. Launch the XAMPP Control Panel.
4. Start Apache (Web Server) and MySQL (Database).
5. Place your PHP files inside the htdocs/ folder (e.g., C:\xampp\htdocs\myproject).
6. Access them in your browser via:
   http://localhost/myproject/hello.php

Writing Your First PHP Script

Let’s create a simple PHP file to display a message.

🔹 hello.php

<?php
  // This is a PHP comment
  echo "Hello, ScriptBuzz Learner!";
?>

Output:

Hello, ScriptBuzz Learner!

Hello, ScriptBuzz Learner!

File Placement:

Save this file as hello.php inside your XAMPP htdocs folder.

Open browser and navigate to:

http://localhost/hello.php

http://localhost/hello.php

Best Practices (Early Habits to Develop)

• Always use <?php ?> opening and closing tags.
• Use echo or print to display content.
• Comment your code for better readability.
• Save your PHP files with .php extension.
• Place PHP files in the server root (like htdocs) to run them.

Summary

• PHP is a server-side scripting language made for web development.
• It’s widely used, powerful, and easy to integrate with HTML.
• You need a local server (like XAMPP) to run PHP on your machine.
• Your first PHP script uses echo to print output to the browser.

Practice Challenge

✅ Try this on your own:

1. Create a new file info.php
2. Inside it, use this special function to view PHP environment settings:

<?php
  phpinfo();
?>

3. Run it in your browser via http://localhost/info.php
🔍 What do you see?
This output shows all PHP modules and settings — very useful for debugging!