There are many ways to set up rules and conditions for a script to run, even before the internet. The algorithm is a set of rules and requirements. An algorithm must be written in a programming language to be executable in the world of computers.
Programming languages are like languages. A programming language is like a language. They can transmit the same message in different languages, but they can also contain different algorithms. Computers can understand many programming languages just like people can communicate in other languages. This is possible only if the program that interprets the programming languages is installed on your computer.
This article will discuss one of the most popular programming languages available today. Continue reading to learn more about PHP.
Programming language PHP
PHP is an open-source programming language that is very popular. It is used widely to create web-based websites and systems. The acronym PHP originally stood for Personal Home Page. However, it was changed to a recursive acronym PHP: Hypertext Processor. This could be translated as a hypertext processor. The PHP script is rendered on the server, and no static content (e.g., HTML, CSS, Javascript, and others) is sent to users’ browsers.
It is a language that runs only on the hosting server. The end-user cannot see the PHP script because it is not visible to them. Only programmers and those with server access will have the ability to see the source code of PHP programs. PHP is also known as a backend language because of this feature.
PHP’s popularity is partly due to its ability to be combined with HTML, the markup language that is used on every web page. HTML is not a programming language, and its content can be modified to suit your needs. PHP allows you to create dynamic content using scripts and schedules.
PHP can also be integrated with many databases, which makes it incredibly powerful. According to W3 Techs, PHP is currently used on over 80% of all websites.
What PHP can do for you
PHP can be used with HTML, making it much more accessible to beginners than languages like C and Java, which require complicated maneuvers to create HTML pages. PHP allows for a wide range of options, including simple websites to complex online management systems.
Let’s take a look at some examples of PHP-based web applications. Many of the systems that we use every day are written in PHP.
Dynamic websites
Any website whose pages can be controlled by an application on the server is called a dynamic website. The site source code defines the parameters and scripts that will control how pages are assembled before being sent to the browser. You can create many types of dynamic websites with PHP. These websites can be integrated into a MySQL database or not.
Many content managers were created with PHP, some of which are very popular. This list can be expanded to include Drupal, Joomla, WordPress, and Joomla. We can also have Open Cart and PrestaShop in the world of virtual shops and eCommerce systems. They are all created using PHP. We are only mentioning a few of the many examples.
Web-based systems
PHP can be used to build any system. You may need an intranet system that allows employees to log in and securely protect their passwords. PHP is the solution. Do you need a help desk system for your customers? Distance learning is possible. This can be done with PHP. A PHP-based open-source distance education system is also available. Moodle is the name of this open-source distance education system.
This language can be used to create many different types of systems, as we’ve seen. They don’t necessarily have to be posted on the internet. You can run PHP on a local machine that is only accessible to users who are connected to the network.
Systeme for desktops
It is possible to use PHP to create programs that are installed on personal computers, even though it wasn’t intended for this purpose. PHP-GTK is a library that allows you to do this. This library is great for creating an installed program if you are familiar with PHP and feel comfortable using the language.
More information about this can be found at the project website, available at gtk.php.net
PHP scripts that can be used with the command line
Programmers on-call can also fire PHP scripts from their terminals using the command line. It is not necessary that you have Apache or Microsoft IIS to use this mode. To run shell scripts using the language, you will only need the PHP interpreter.
More information about PHP CLI can be seen on the project website (php-cli.com)
Amazing sites made with PHP.
Language is the key to great websites. Even though not everyone uses PHP as a backend, you can still see Facebook and YouTube as examples of websites that were originally written in PHP.
Wikipedia, the largest repository of information on the planet, was also created with PHP. It is still maintained today. The source code of the system is open-source and can be downloaded from MediaWiki’s website.
Other sites that use PHP programming language are not only those mentioned. It is difficult to determine if a site uses PHP because it is a server language. You can only visit the page to find out. This is why it is important to refer to the statement of the authors on the language used.
Versions of PHP
PHP requires an interpreter in order to function, as we have already mentioned. It must be installed on your server to allow you to run the script. The interpreter is responsible for translating PHP code into HTML. It also handles other files necessary to create a website. The PHP interpreter is constantly evolving. A new version of the PHP interpreter is sometimes released. When we refer to the “PHP version,” it is the interpreter version.
Since its 1995 launch, PHP has been available in five versions: version 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Version 5 (5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, and 5.6) was the most important and widely used during the history of PHP. Although there was an effort by the community to release PHP 6, which would have support for Unicode, there was no consensus and the project never materialized. Version 6 was never released.
Version 7, 11 years ago, was released in 2015. It brought many improvements and a significant performance boost. Developers around the globe quickly adopted Version 7. For any new application that uses the language, this is the preferred version.
Web Hosting and PHP
PHP can be installed on all operating systems, including Linux, Mac, and Windows. This flexibility means that almost any hosting company can offer web hosting compatible sites and applications written in PHP.
There are many options for web hosting services. Apple does have a web server service, but it isn’t as well-known as the others.
It is possible to host PHP sites in nearly any company that provides such services. Linux Hosting is preferred for hosting sites written in PHP. Because PHP is an operating system language, the runtime for PHP will be slightly shorter. Linux servers. Select Windows server Only if you want to also host in the same environment a native application of the operating system such as ASP.NET.
Where can I learn PHP free of charge?
For those who want to learn a language, there is plenty of free material available online. We have divided some links that are useful both for language programmers and beginners who want to learn more about PHP and how to get started programming.
PHP Manual- This repository contains documentation in PHP in many languages.
W3 Schools- World’s largest website for web development, offering courses in many languages and all for free.
Conclusion
You’ve reached the end of this article, and you know what PHP is. It’s a versatile programming language that’s very popular. You’ve also seen what kind of websites and applications you can make with PHP and what to do to host systems and websites in PHP.
Have questions? Have something to share? Comment and take part!