Contents
- Introduction to PHP
- How PHP Works
- Uses of PHP
- Criticism of PHP
- Comparison of PHP with Other Languages
- Who Should Learn PHP and Why
Introduction to PHP
PHP, which stands for Hypertext PreProcessor, is an open-source web programming language. It is widely used for creating dynamic websites and applications. All web pages are created using HTML, and CSS is applied to give them a stylized look. However, HTML and CSS cannot adapt to changing conditions, such as displaying current weather information or currency exchange rates. This is where PHP comes in, allowing the creation of scripts that dynamically alter the displayed data. Alongside PHP, similar capabilities are also provided by languages such as JavaScript.
PHP scripts can be embedded directly in HTML code or placed in separate files. For example, if a user opens a page with PHP code, they might see a message: "Hello, I am a PHP script!" which consists of both HTML and PHP code.
How PHP Works
When a user clicks on any link, their browser sends a request to the server to retrieve the raw HTML code of the page. If there is PHP code on this page, the server processes that code by requesting the relevant data. Note that the user's browser and computer only process the finished HTML code, not the PHP code itself. This means that the functionality of the page depends on the availability of the web server that executes the scripts. If the server is down, part of the page may not display correctly.
The PHP script sends a request to the server and receives a response in the form of HTML code, which is then sent back to the browser. The browser converts the received HTML into visual content, displaying it to the user. When the computer processes the code, it either compiles or interprets it.
Uses of PHP
The main function of PHP is to send requests to the server to obtain current information. This language is excellent for tasks involving dynamic data, such as retrieving information from cookies or forms. PHP also allows for the addition, retrieval, and updating of data in databases like MySQL.
Currently, PHP is used on approximately 80% of all websites, including:
- Personal resources: portfolio sites, simple pages, landing pages.
- Some wiki sites, such as MediaWiki, which serve as informational resources.
- Some ERP systems, like Totum, designed for business management.
- Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress and Joomla, which allow for website creation without the need for in-depth HTML knowledge.
Criticism of PHP
There are many critical comments about the PHP language. Most of them are based on two main myths. Firstly, there is a myth about messy code. PHP was designed as a simple and accessible language for web programming, allowing many people to quickly learn it. However, this also led to a large number of programmers with superficial knowledge, which in turn generated the myth about the low quality of code written in PHP.
Secondly, the language developed a poor reputation because the first version of PHP appeared more like a set of scripts rather than a fully-fledged programming language. Over time, PHP evolved, borrowing best practices from other languages like Ruby and JavaScript. The last update of PHP occurred on September 26, 2024, which indicates the language's ongoing development.
Comparison of PHP with Other Languages
| Language | Ease of Use | Free | Suitable for Web Development | Availability of Convenient Development Tools | Speed | Community |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHP | ++ | + | + | + | − | ++ |
| JavaScript | + | + | + | +− | ++ | + |
| Java | − | +− | − | + | − | + |
| Ruby | + | + | − | + | − | + |
| Python | + | + | − | + | − | + |
| Go | + | + | − | + | ++ | + |
Who Should Learn PHP and Why
PHP has a low entry threshold, making it accessible for anyone who wants to learn. Despite predictions about the potential disappearance of the language, it continues to be used on thousands of sites that require ongoing support. Currently, there are over 3000 job vacancies for PHP developers on job search websites, indicating that the demand for specialists in this field remains high.
PHP is an excellent starting point for those looking to enter the world of web development, as learning it is no more difficult than learning HTML. With a large community, those eager to learn can easily find answers to their questions and receive support from more experienced programmers.