Shodor PHP Tutorial

PHP --> Hypertext Preprocessor

What is PHP?


Definition: PHP is a scripting language1 that is especially suitable for web development.

*It can be, and is usually nested into HTML.

Please click here for an example!

Useful Terms

1. Scripting Language: a programming language that allows control of multiple softwares.

2. PHP Page: the page that will appear during the running of the HTML code in which the PHP code has been embedded into. (Basically the page that will come up when you run the HTML code with the PHP code in it)


Three main areas that PHP scripts are used in:

  • Server-side scripting: the most widely used target field for PHP. Three things are needed to make this work:
  • 1. The PHP parser (CGI or server module)
    • A PHP parser is the part that reads human-readable representation of code, and later execute representation of code that can be interpreted by PHP interpreter.
  • 2. A web server
  • 3. A web browser
  • Command line scripting: PHP script can run without the presence of a web browser or server.
  • Please see this link for more information about command line scripting!
  • Writing desktop applications: a language in which you have the ability to write cross-platform applications.
  • Please see this link for more information about writing desktop applications!

Some Advantages of PHP:

  • Open Source

  • PHP is effortlessly available, and it's free.

  • Cross Platform

  • Being cross platformed gives the capability of a software to effectively run on different operating systems.

  • Support

  • PHP is quite popular; therefore there are a lot of online sources such as, tutorials, blogs, and information websites that can accommodate users with the program.

  • High Returns

  • The use of PHP enables users to create dynamic and appealing websites, which increases visitor participation, therefore better returns.

  • SFS

  • Stability, Flexibility, and Speed are the qualities that PHP is known for.