PHP/Introduction


 * This tutorial assumes you have a basic understanding of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

PHP is a widely-used general-purpose scripting language suited to web development. It powers many websites such as WordPress, Wikipedia, and Facebook.

What Defines a PHP File?
PHP files can contain text, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP code. It can be executed on the server and the result is returned to the browser as plain HTML. It has the file extension.

What Can PHP Do?
PHP can do anything, including but not limited to: collecting form data, generating dynamic page content, managing data in databases, encrypting data, managing files on the web server, and sending and receiving cookies. However, PHP is mainly used in three areas: server-side scripting, command-line scripting, and writing desktop applications.

It can be used on all major operating systems, including Linux, Unix, Microsoft Windows, and MacOS. And it can be used with most web servers, including Apache, IIS, and others.