What Is PHP? Uses, Examples & How PHP Works

PHP

PHP originally stood for Personal Home Page.
PHP is a general purpose scripting language that is widely used by the majority of the websites today.
Especially suited for web development - PHP may be embedded into HTML code or pages.
You can use it in combination with various web template systems, content management systems, web frameworks, or even executed with a Command Line Interface (CLI)

Complete PHP Resources

Related Posts

Framework Programs

What Is PHP Used For

Why is PHP used on the majority of all web pages?
What are the benefits of using PHP?

PHP is used to add functionality to your website that HTML coding alone can not do.
Lets look at some poplar reason to use PHP

PHP Can Collect User Input

Users can interact directly with PHP scripts. This might be through a a simple HTML form. Maybe letting you participate in a survey, use a "Contact Us" page or even post to any type of forum.

PHP Can Perform Math Calculations

PHP can perform different types of math calculations or Arithmetic Operators, These includes performing mathematical equations. to even calculating dates for a given year.

Here is a link showing how to create a simple PHP calculator.

PHP Can Interact With MySQL Databases

PHP is especially good at interacting with MySQL databases. This can open endless possibilities.
MySQL is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). It is the most popular database system used with PHP. MySQL is developed, distributed, and supported by The Oracle Corporation.

Major Features PHP Is Used For

PHP main focus is on server-side scripting. You can do anything CGI programming can do, such as collect form data, generate dynamic page content, or send and receive cookies. But PHP can do much more.
There are three major areas where PHP scripts are mostly used.

Server Side Scripting

Server-side scripts provide an interface between the user and the website. This helps limit access to proprietary data and will keep control of the script source code.

You need a few things to make PHP scripting to work. The "PHP parser", CGI or server module, a "Web Server" and of course a "Web Browser".

Many languages can create Server-side scripts. They include but are not limited to the examples below.

• • ActiveVFP
• • ASP
• • DC
• • Java
• • JavaScript
• • Perl
• • PHP
• • Python
• • R
• • Ruby

Writing Desktop Apps

PHP is primarily designed for web application development and is not commonly used for desktop application development. However, there are some tools and frameworks that allow developers to use PHP for desktop application development But if you use some advanced PHP features in your client side applications. You can write cross-platform applications. PHP-GTK is an extension to PHP, not available in the main distribution. If you are interested in PHP-GTK, visit Their Website

Command Line Scripting

You can make a PHP script run without any server or browser. You only need the PHP parser to use in this way. This type of use is ideal for PHP scripts regularly executed using cron (on *nix or Linux) or Task Scheduler (on Windows). This can also be used for simple text processing tasks

This type of usage is ideal for scripts regularly executed using cron (on *nix or Linux) or Task Scheduler (on Windows). These scripts can also be used for simple text processing tasks. See the section about Command line usage of PHP for more information.

Advantages of PHP

• • PHP is used for creating dynamic websites and platforms
• • PHP is a Server Side coding language
• • PHP use is completely free, as well as more powerful and efficient over programs such as Microsoft ASP
• • PHP will run on multiple platforms like Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Unix, etc
• • PHP is very portable and convenient to use
• • PHP can open, write, add, modify, read, delete, and close database information completely on the Web Server
• • PHP will collect data from forms and send to email or databases
• • PHP can connect to almost any Web Servers such as Apache, nginx, IIS by Microsoft, LiteSpeed Web Server, GWS by Google
• • PHP can receive, store and send cookies. Perform data encryption
• • PHP will output not only HTML, but also PDF, Flash, XML files or any other text type file

What distinguishes PHP from client side JavaScript is that the code is executed on the Web Server. It generates HTML, which is then sent to the client. The client receives the results of the PHP script without knowing what the underlying code was. You can even configure the Web Server to process all your HTML files with PHP and then there would be no way that users can tell how you are coding your website
In fact, RSH Web Services website runs completely by PHP

PHP is extremely simple for newcomers, but also offers many advanced features for those professional programmers. Don't be afraid reading the long list of PHP's features. You can jump in and start writing simple scripts in no time

Although PHP's development is focused on server-side scripting, you can do much more with it

Examples Of PHP Coding

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang=en>
  <head>
     <title>Example</title>
  </head>
 <body>
     <?php
        echo "Hi, I'm a PHP script!";
      ?>
  </body>
</html>

Instead of a lot of commands to output HTML (as seen in C or Perl), PHP pages contain HTML with embedded code that does "something" (in this case, output "Hi, I'm a PHP script!"). The PHP code is enclosed in special start and end processing instructions that allow you to jump into and out of "PHP mode"

<?php
?>

Typical example of what a RSH Web's PHP file might look like:

<?php
include("assets/config.php");
include("assets/header.php");
include("assets/add/blog-what-is-php.html");
include("assets/footer.php");
?>

PHP can be used on all major operating systems, including Linux, many Unix variants, including HP-UX, Solaris and OpenBSD, Microsoft Windows, macOS, RISC OS, and no doubt others. PHP also has support for most of the web servers today

This includes Apache, IIS, and many others. And this includes any web server that can utilize the FastCGI PHP binary, like lighttpd and nginx

PHP works as either a module, or as a CGI processor, and you have the freedom of choosing any operating system and Web Server. You also have the choice of using Procedural Programming or Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), or a mixture of both

With PHP, you are not limited to just HTML output. PHP's abilities includes images, PDF files and videos

Using libswf and Ming, generated on the fly. You could also output easily any text, such as XHTML and any other XML file
PHP can auto-generate these files, and save them in the file system, instead of printing it out, forming a server-side cache for your dynamic content

One of the best and most significant features in PHP is the support for a wide range of databases. Writing a database-enabled web page is incredibly simple using one of the database specific extensions to any database supporting the Open Database Connection standard via the ODBC extension. Other databases may utilize cURL or sockets like CouchDB

PHP also has support for talking to other services using protocols such as LDAP, IMAP, SNMP, NNTP, POP3, HTTP, COM (on Windows) and countless others. You can also open raw network sockets and interact using any other protocol. PHP has support for the WDDX, a complex data exchange between virtually all Web programming languages. Talking about interconnection, PHP has support for instantiation of Java objects and using them transparently as PHP objects

PHP Resources

PHP Official Website
A complete resource for everything PHP. PHP is a popular general purpose scripting language that is especially suited to web development

PHP Manual
The official online manual for the PHP language

RSH Web Services PHP Resources Article
PHP Resources, E-books, PHP Script Codes, Videos, Cheat Sheets, Security Cheat Sheet, Code Library, Development Tools

PHP Builder
Articles and tutorials in PHP programming, PHP snippets, PHP tutorials and PHP Forums

Wikipedia
This article is about the scripting language PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. Or simply PHP. A general purpose programming language originally designed for web development

PHP Tutorial by W3Schools
Another popular programming tutorial site for PHP

phpBB
A free flat forum bulletin board software solution

PEAR
PHP Extension and Application Repository and useful PHP packages. PEAR is a fFramework script and distribution system for reusable PHP components

Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure PHP Tutorial, contains PHP tutorial and documentation related to Azure cloud computing services

MySQL Homepage
From the Oracle Corporation, download the latest MySQL release

Zend
Zend Technologies is the leading provider of products and services for developing, deploying and managing business critical PHP applications

PHP Cheat sheets
PHP Cheat sheets is a quick reference guide for intermediate to advanced programmers

PHP Scripts

Listing Free, Open Source and Paid scripts
Warning: Be careful when downloading PHP scripts. Never assume the code is harmless

Source Forge
Listing over 600 PHP scripts

PHP Junkyard
Free PHP scripts for your website. PHP scripts that made this website famous

SeekScripts
The Website doesn’t host the scripts. It links to the creators sites

PHP Jabbers
Download the free PHP scripts listed below along with the full source codes and customize them

WordPress PHP Plugins

Insert PHP Code Snippet
Insert PHP Code Snippet allows you to create shortcodes corresponding to PHP code snippets. You can create a shortcode corresponding to any random PHP code such as ad codes, login validation etc. and use the same in your posts, pages or widgets.

WordPress Native PHP Sessions
Use native PHP sessions and stay horizontally scalable. WordPress core does not use PHP sessions, but sometimes they are required by your use-case, a plugin or theme.

PHP Compatibility Checker
The WP Engine PHP Compatibility Checker can be used by any WordPress website on any web host to check PHP version compatibility.

PHP Enkoder
PHPEnkoder is a port of the excellent Hivelogic. Enkoder to PHP and, more specifically, to WordPress. It is used to display text in a way that users can see and bots can’t.

Display PHP Version
lightweight and simple plugin that displays the currently installed PHP/MySQL version in the “At a Glance” admin dashboard widget.

WP Coder
WP Coder can embed HTML, JS, CSS and PHP codes directly into your WordPress pages.

WP phpMyAdmin
The famous database browser & manager (for MySQL & MariaDB) – use it inside WordPress Dashboard without an extra hassle.

WordPress PHP Console
WP Console brings the renowned PsySH directly to your browser. PsySH serves as a runtime developer console, an interactive debugger, and a PHP REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop).

PHP Server Configuration
A simple Light weight plugin to look up information about PHP Info and manage PHP configurations values.

Custom PHP Settings
This plugin can be used to customize php settings for you wordpress installation. The plugin will modify either the .htaccess file or .user.ini file in order to change the current php settings directly from within the settings page.

Listing a few Websites that use PHP

Best Practices for Using PHP

PHP works best when code is organized, secure, maintainable, and written for a supported PHP version. Whether you are creating a simple form, a database-driven website, or a larger web application, clear coding practices help improve reliability, performance, and long-term maintenance while making the purpose and structure of your PHP application easier to understand.

• • Use a supported PHP version: Run your website on a currently supported PHP release whenever your application, plugins, themes, and other dependencies allow it. Supported versions receive important security and maintenance updates. Before changing versions on a production website, test compatibility carefully because older scripts may depend on functions or behavior that have changed or been removed.
• • Keep PHP code clearly organized: Separate configuration, reusable functions, templates, database logic, and application code instead of placing everything in one large file. Descriptive function and variable names also make scripts easier to understand and maintain. Developers working with larger projects can review additional PHP resources and development tools.
• • Validate and sanitize user input: Never assume information submitted through forms, URLs, cookies, or other requests is safe. Validate data according to what your application expects and escape output according to where it will be displayed. These practices help reduce errors and security risks when PHP processes contact forms, registrations, searches, comments, account information, and other user-generated data.
• • Use prepared statements for database queries: When PHP communicates with a database, use prepared statements with PDO or MySQLi instead of building SQL queries by directly combining untrusted user input with query strings. Prepared statements help protect applications against SQL injection. For additional background on database structure and queries, see how MySQL databases work.
• • Protect configuration files and sensitive information: Database credentials, API keys, passwords, and other secrets should not be exposed in publicly accessible files or displayed in error messages. Use appropriate server permissions and configuration practices to protect sensitive information. Apache-based websites can also use rules in the .htaccess file for certain server-level controls when supported by the hosting environment.
• • Handle errors without exposing private details: Development environments can display detailed PHP errors while scripts are being tested, but production websites should avoid showing visitors file paths, database details, stack traces, or other sensitive debugging information. Log errors securely instead so administrators and developers can diagnose problems without revealing unnecessary technical details to website visitors.
• • Understand what runs on the server and browser: PHP executes on the web server and normally sends generated HTML or other output to the visitor's browser. HTML defines page structure, while browser-side JavaScript can add interactive behavior. Understanding these roles makes applications easier to design and troubleshoot. See how HTML structures web pages and how JavaScript works in websites.
• • Avoid unnecessary processing: Keep database queries efficient, reuse code where appropriate, avoid repeatedly loading resources that are not needed, and review slow-running scripts. Performance problems can originate from PHP code, database queries, external services, plugins, or server configuration, so troubleshooting should identify the actual bottleneck before changes are made.
• • Manage PHP through your hosting environment carefully: Many hosting accounts provide tools for choosing PHP versions, managing extensions, editing configuration settings, viewing files, and administering databases. If your website uses cPanel, understanding its controls can make PHP management easier. Review the cPanel features and management guide for additional information.
• • Use descriptive page content around PHP examples: When publishing PHP tutorials or code samples, explain what the script does, what input it expects, what output it produces, and any security or compatibility considerations. Clear definitions and self-contained explanations help readers understand the example without relying on assumptions and make technical information easier for search and AI systems to interpret accurately.
• • Keep PHP applications updated and tested: Regularly review application code, frameworks, libraries, CMS software, and extensions for updates and compatibility issues. Test significant changes before deploying them to a live website and maintain reliable backups. PHP hosting should also provide the version controls and server features required by your application; see the PHP hosting available from RSH Web Services.
• • Continue learning related web technologies: PHP commonly works alongside HTML, JavaScript, databases, web servers, and content management systems. Understanding how these technologies interact makes troubleshooting and development easier. The RSH Web Services blog and article index provides additional guides covering website development, hosting, security, databases, WordPress, and internet technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PHP free to use for commercial websites?

Yes. PHP is open-source software and can be used to build personal, business, and commercial websites without purchasing the PHP language itself. Your actual costs may come from web hosting, domain registration, professional development, premium applications, or other services used with your website. Developers can find additional learning materials, references, and programming tools in the PHP resources and development tools guide.

Which PHP version should I use for my website?

Use a currently supported PHP version that is also compatible with your website's software, themes, plugins, frameworks, and custom scripts. Newer supported versions generally provide current security fixes and language improvements, but upgrading without testing can break older code. Check application requirements first, create a backup, and test important website functions before changing the PHP version on a production site.

Does PHP require a MySQL database to work?

No. PHP can run scripts, process forms, create dynamic content, work with files, manage sessions, perform calculations, and complete many other tasks without MySQL. A database becomes useful when an application needs structured information such as users, products, posts, or transactions. PHP supports multiple database systems, although MySQL is a common choice. Learn more about MySQL databases and how they work.

What is the difference between PHP and JavaScript?

PHP primarily executes on the web server before content is delivered to the visitor, while JavaScript commonly runs in the user's browser and controls interactive page behavior. Modern JavaScript can also run on servers through environments such as Node.js. Many websites use both technologies together: PHP handles server-side processing and data, while JavaScript adds browser-based interactivity.

Can PHP be used together with HTML and CSS?

Yes. PHP commonly works with HTML and CSS to create complete web pages. PHP can generate or insert content on the server, HTML provides the page structure, and CSS controls the visual presentation. PHP can also embed dynamic information inside HTML templates, making it useful for websites where page content changes according to users, databases, forms, or application logic.

Why does my PHP website show a blank page or server error?

A blank page or server error can result from PHP syntax errors, incompatible code, missing files, incorrect permissions, memory limits, unavailable extensions, or configuration problems. Start by reviewing the server's PHP error logs instead of displaying detailed errors publicly. If the problem appeared after an update, check recent code, plugins, or PHP version changes. Server rules in the .htaccess file may also affect some websites.

How can I make a PHP website more secure?

Keep PHP and application software updated, validate all incoming data, escape output appropriately, use prepared database statements, protect credentials, restrict file permissions, and avoid installing untrusted scripts. Production websites should log detailed errors rather than expose sensitive debugging information to visitors. Security should cover the complete application, including PHP code, databases, server configuration, authentication, uploaded files, third-party libraries, and administrator accounts.

Can I manage PHP settings through cPanel?

Many cPanel hosting environments provide tools for selecting available PHP versions, enabling extensions, adjusting certain PHP configuration values, viewing files, managing databases, and reviewing website settings. The exact controls depend on the hosting provider and server configuration. If your hosting account includes cPanel, the cPanel features and management guide explains many of the tools commonly available to website owners.

How do I know if PHP is the right language for my website?

PHP is a practical choice when your project needs server-side processing, database integration, user accounts, forms, content management, or compatibility with applications such as WordPress. Consider your existing software, developer experience, hosting environment, maintenance requirements, and available server features before choosing a language.

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