What Is PHP?

Posted by raj on 04/26/06 in Acronyms, Web programming + scripting, What is

PHP stands for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. The name is an afterthought, hence the self-reference. PHP is a widely-available OpenSource web scripting language that is relatively easy to use. It powers the vast majority of weblog platforms.

It is arguably the most widely used web scripting language on the Internet, powering many millions of websites. The reason for this wide use is its ease of use and easy availability. Many Internet host providers offer PHP as a standard feature with their basic hosting packages. Other languages such as Perl, Java, etc., often are only included in advanced hosting packages, which of course cost more.

PHP has several computer language influences including C, Java, and Perl, but is relatively easier to use. In fact, it probably could be proven to be the web scripting language of choice for people without formal computer science backgrounds.

This is primarily because PHP code can be interleaved with HTML code, making it easier to read the resulting web scripts. PHP’s interface to relational database packages such as the free mySQL is also relatively easy to follow.

You can learn more about PHP or download a copy for your computer. If you download, keep in mind that you should probably work with a version of PHP that is compatible with the version of PHP that is available from your Internet host provider. Most host providers are running V4.23 or thereabouts. PHP is currently at V5.

If you are looking for tutorials on PHP, please visit the WebGuru Web Programming journal. I have several tutorials planned. As well, later this year, I will be posting the unpublished introductory chapters of a PHP/ mySQL book that I wrote 2002.

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