PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor

What is PHP?

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a widely-used open-source server-side scripting language designed for web development. Originally created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1995, PHP powers millions of websites including WordPress, Facebook, and Wikipedia.

PHP code is executed on the server, generating HTML which is then sent to the client. This makes PHP ideal for creating dynamic web pages, processing forms, managing databases, and building complete web applications.

Key Features

• Easy to Learn: Simple syntax similar to C
• Cross-Platform: Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS
• Database Integration: Native support for MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.
• Rich Framework Ecosystem: Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter
• Built-in Web Server: Development server included
• Object-Oriented: Full OOP support
• Extensive Libraries: Thousands of built-in functions
• Session Management: Built-in session and cookie handling

Common Uses

• Content Management Systems (WordPress, Drupal, Joomla)
• E-commerce platforms (Magento, WooCommerce)
• Web applications and APIs
• Database-driven websites
• Form processing and validation
• User authentication and authorization systems
• RESTful web services
• Command-line scripting

Advantages

• Free and open-source with permissive license
• Huge community and extensive documentation
• Wide hosting support (virtually all web hosts)
• Mature ecosystem with many frameworks and libraries
• Easy database connectivity
• Fast development cycle
• Excellent CMS ecosystem (WordPress, etc.)
• Regular updates and improvements

Limitations

• Inconsistent function naming conventions
• Security issues if not properly coded
• Not suitable for mobile app development
• Can be slower than compiled languages
• Legacy code compatibility issues
• Weak error handling in older versions

Technical Information