Learn PHP The Ultimate Beginners Tutorial | iCert Global

PHP means Hypertext Preprocessor. It is a special language used on web servers to create websites and web apps. You can make both simple, unchanging websites (called static) and websites that change based on what users do (called dynamic). Big companies like Facebook, Wikipedia, and Tumblr use PHP even though many new developers are starting to use full-stack JavaScript. This PHP tutorial will help you learn the important things about PHP and how to use it.

What is the difference between HTML and PHP?

You might wonder why we need PHP if we already have HTML. The main difference is that HTML is used to create fixed web pages that stay the same for everyone. But PHP lets the coder make parts of a web page change depending on what the user does. PHP can also take information from users, work with it, and show the results they want. So, PHP makes web pages more interactive and flexible compared to plain HTML.

Things You Need to Learn PHP

Learning a new programming language can feel hard at first. Many people don’t know where to begin and stop before they even try. But learning PHP isn’t as hard as it looks. One big reason PHP is popular is because it has really good instructions and guides. You can start learning just by reading these guides, and you don’t need to have special skills before you begin.

Why Do We Need PHP?

You might be wondering why we need PHP for web programming when we already have other languages like HTML.

Here are some good reasons why PHP is useful:

• Free and Open-Source: Anyone can use PHP without paying.
• Easy to Learn: It is easier to learn than some other languages like JSP or ASP.
• Supported Everywhere: Most web hosting services already support PHP.
• Server-Side Language: PHP runs on the web server, so users don’t need to install anything on their computers.
• Works Well with Databases: PHP works closely with MySQL, a popular database.
• Cross-Platform: You can use PHP on different operating systems like Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.

Where Do We Use PHP?

PHP is mainly used in three ways:

1. Server-Side Scripting:
   This is the most common use. You need a PHP program, a web server, and a web browser. The server runs PHP and sends the results to your browser. This lets websites show pages that change based on what the user does.
2. Command Line Scripting:
   PHP can run scripts without a web browser or server. You just need the PHP software. This is useful for running tasks automatically, like scheduled jobs on Linux or Windows.
3. Writing Desktop Applications:
   Although PHP is not the best for desktop apps, you can still use some advanced features and tools like PHP-GTK to create programs that run on your computer.

How to Run PHP?

Running PHP on your own computer can be tricky because it needs a web server and setup. But there is an easy way using software like XAMPP.

What is XAMPP?

XAMPP is a free tool that includes everything you need to run PHP on your computer. It has:

• Apache Web Server
• MariaDB and MySQL Databases
• Support for PHP and Perl languages

The name XAMPP stands for:
X = Cross-Platform (works on many systems)
A = Apache Server
M = MariaDB & MySQL
P = PHP
P = Perl

XAMPP makes it easy for developers to test and build websites on their own computers before putting them online.

Using PHP with WAMP Server

If you use Windows and want a secure way to run PHP for projects, WAMP Server is a good choice. It is designed for Windows and focuses on security.

Steps to use WAMP Server:

• Install the software
• Set up the server
• Save your PHP files
• Run your PHP scripts
• Fix any problems that come up

What is a PHP IDE?

To write good PHP code quickly, developers use tools called IDE (Integrated Development Environment). An IDE helps you write, test, and fix code all in one place.

Some popular PHP IDEs are:

• PHPStorm
• NetBeans
• Aptana Studio
• Eclipse
• Visual Studio (with Xamarin)
• Zend Studio

PHP Data Types

In PHP, variables can hold different types of data like numbers, text, or lists.

PHP Operators

Operators help you do math and other actions with variables. Some types of operators in PHP are:

• Arithmetic operators: For math like adding (+), subtracting (-), multiplying (*), and dividing (/).
• Assignment operators: To give values to variables, like =, +=, -=.
• Comparison operators: To compare values, like == (equals), != (not equal), <, >.
• Logical operators: For making decisions, like AND (&&), OR (||), NOT (!).
• Array operators: To work with arrays, like combining or comparing arrays.

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Conclusion

In this PHP tutorial, you learned the basics of PHP like data types, variables, and operators. PHP is a powerful language for creating dynamic websites and apps. With guidance from iCert Global, you can build strong skills and create amazing web projects using PHP.

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