PHP Programming Essentials and Core Features

Classified in Computers

Written on January 8, 2026 in English with a size of 2.95 KB

What is PHP?

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a widely-used open-source scripting language primarily designed for web development. It runs on the server-side, meaning the code is executed on the web server before the output is sent to the user's browser. PHP is embedded within HTML and supports various databases, making it a powerful tool for creating dynamic and interactive web applications.

Key Features of PHP

PHP has several features that make it a popular choice for web development:

Open-Source – PHP is free to use, with a large community of developers providing support and updates.
Cross-Platform Compatibility – PHP works on multiple operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Easy to Learn and Use – Its syntax is simple and similar to C, Java, and Perl, making it easy to learn.
Server-Side Execution – PHP scripts run on the web server, ensuring security and fast processing.
Database Connectivity – Supports databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQLite, and MongoDB.
Embedded within HTML – PHP can be directly embedded within HTML, reducing complexity in web development.
Support for Multiple Protocols – Works with HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and other communication protocols.
Fast Execution – PHP scripts execute quickly because they are processed on the server before being sent to the browser.

PHP Program to Print "Hello, World!"

This example demonstrates PHP integration with HTML:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <title>Hello World in PHP</title>
</head>
<body>
   <h1><?php echo "Hello, World!"; ?></h1>
</body>
</html>

Expected Output:
Hello, World!

Understanding PHP Tags

PHP tags define the start and end of PHP code in a file. They allow embedding PHP within HTML for dynamic web development.

Standard PHP Tag (Recommended)

<?php  
    echo "Hello, World!";
?>

This is the most commonly used tag and works in all PHP versions.

Short Open Tag

<?  
    echo "Hello, World!"; 
?>

This requires the short_open_tag = On setting in the php.ini configuration file. It is not always enabled on all servers.

ASP Style Tag (Deprecated)

<%  
    echo "Hello, World!"; 
%>

Similar to ASP (Active Server Pages) syntax, these tags were removed in PHP 7 and later versions.

Script Tag (Rarely Used)

<script language="php">
    ; ;echo'Hello, World!';
</script>

Used in older versions within HTML, this tag is not commonly used today.

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