PHP: Babysteps TutorialWhat is PHP?PHP is a server-side scripting language for creating dynamic Web pages. It has a very elegant design, that is both easy to use and powerful. PHP stands for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. It is a server side, HTML embedded language like ASP, SSI etc. In simple words - PHP sits on a web server, handles all the code and presents the final output in HTML format to the browser.
<html>
<body>
<?php
echo ("test");
?>
</body>
</html>
The above code demonstrates the usage of PHP. You might have noticed a similarity to Javascript. But one BIG difference is that PHP runs on the server and Javascript runs on the client. That makes PHP very powerful! So why use it?Haven't you atleast once thought that plain HTML sucks? Haven't you dearly wanted to create a counter for your site? Aren't you tired of using frames and wished there was an 'include' command in HTML? Haven't you pulled your hair while trying to do any file system operations with HTML? If you have, then PHP is the answer for you! It has the power to convert your drab, "just another website" into a real jazzy one (like sig9 off course ;). Counters, guestbooks, message boards, online polls, search engines... anything is possible with PHP! Learning PHPPHP amazingly with all its power is quite simple to learn, especially if you have some background in languages like C++. The syntax is quite similar, with a lot of interesting and some times wierd syntax.. and loads of built-in functions! I myself first thought that PHP was a tough nut to crack, but once I got into it, it was like a knife into butter. So how to do it? Follow these steps. I think this is the shortest practical way to glory.
That's it folks. I hope you have managed to take your first steps in learning PHP. If not, be a wimp and go learn Pearl! :)
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