The demand for PHP is evident from the fact that the world’s top websites, like Facebook, Google, Wikipedia, and YouTube, are using PHP scripts at the backend. Almost 80% developers pick PHP for server-side scripting.
But for beginners, PHP can be a little intimidating. Since there is an overwhelming amount of knowledge available online, it can confuse you and maybe scare you even further.
However, due to its open-source nature and supportive community, PHP is a language that is very accessible and can be learned over time if you have some background in coding. In fact, many consider it beginner-friendly.
In this blog, I have broken down some foundational information about PHP into digestible chunks. Among other things, you will learn how to install PHP, explore connecting to MySQL database, best practices, and find reliable resources for further learning.
Let’s start.
PHP Overview
Source: PHP
PHP is an open-source, server-side general scripting language that has now become a de-facto coding standard in the web development industry.
It can be learned easily, and if one is from a coding background, they will find it very simple. This is why many are using PHP to polish up their entry-level coding skills.
PHP runs on different operating systems, like Windows, UNIX, Linux, MacOS, and supports different databases like MySQL, Microsoft Access, and Oracle (more on that ahead).
PHP can not only collect form data, but also create, read, write, delete, and close files on the server. It can also be easily embedded in HTML. The code is embedded in HTML with tags <?php ?>.
For example:
<html> <title>Getting Started With PHP</title> <body> <?php echo”Your first PHP code”; ?> </body> </html>
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Why Learn PHP in 2024?
In case you’re wondering if PHP is still relevant and whether you’re making the right choice by learning it, you should know that this language is still a powerhouse in the web development world.
More than 70% of all websites are using PHP right now.
Source: Tech Jury
So, here’s why you should consider learning PHP too:
Firstly, as mentioned earlier, PHP is open source, which means it is not just free to use but also to modify. This makes PHP a highly accessible language.
Secondly, the community of PHP developers is huge, meaning you will always find help and resources.
Thirdly, PHP is great for building complex websites. Modern PHP versions are truly performance-optimized. Plus, the frameworks that PHP has, like Symfony and Larvavel, allow for a solid foundation. There are features like routing, templating, database interaction, and security.
Lastly, (but definitely not the end of the list in general), if you look at the online job portals, you will see that there’s a high demand for PHP developers in the market. PHP has a relatively low learning curve, meaning developers of all skill levels can access it.
Here are the pros and cons of PHP for you to understand better:
✓ Easy to learn
✓ Large community
✓ Versatile
✓ Cross-platform
✓ Performance improvements
✓ Cost-effective
✓ Integrates with HTML
✓ Rich ecosystem
✗ Loose typing
✗ Performance limitations (compared to compiled languages)
✗ Security concerns (if not used properly)
✗ Dependency management
✗ Evolving standards
Popular CMS Built with PHP
Some of the best content management systems are made with PHP. Here are a few popular names that you must have heard of:
- WordPress: It has to credit PHP for its rich plugin ecosystem, dynamic features, and theme customization.
- Joomla: Its capacity to handle complex sites and offer scalability can somewhat be credited to PHP.
- Drupal: PHP’s versatility has contributed to Drupal’s success as a highly customizable CMS for large-scale applications.
Getting Started with PHP
Other than building complex applications like CMS, ecommerce platforms, and social networking sites, PHP is also used to develop RESTful APIs, Command-Line Scripts, and desktop applications, among others.
Before diving into installation and basic concepts, let’s review the key features of PHP.
Understanding Server-Side Scripting
Server-side scripting is the first purpose of PHP. All you need to start working on a desktop PC with PHP is a PHP Parser, a webserver (such as Apache) and a web browser like Google Chrome.
Through server-side scripting, PHP lets you to create dynamic and interactive websites. It does this by handling many tasks like processes form submissions, validating user input, and managing user sessions using cookies.
With this flexibility, you can customize your website’s content based on user behaviour and preferences, which can lead to better user experience in general.
Key Features of PHP
Cross-Platform Compatibility
PHP is quite versatile. It can run on almost any computer. Depending on whether you’re using a Windows, Linux, or Mac, the installation process may differ a little but but that’s about it.
It also works with all the popular web servers like Apache, NGNIX, and IIS, so you can use it with whatever hosting setup you choose.
HTML Embedding
PHP can make content appear and disappear, change based on different factors (conditions or data), and even personalize the experience for each visitor.
You can either embed PHP code directly into your HTML or use special tools called templating engines (like Twig or Smarty) to make this process smoother and more organized. These tools help you keep your code clean and easy to manage, especially for larger projects.
Source: Geeksforgeeks
Community Support and Ecosystem
PHP is open-source and free. But that is not it. PHP has a pretty big community of developers who are always sharing tips, tricks, and resources.
Plus, there are tons of tutorials, forums, and libraries available to help you learn and build awesome websites.
Since PHP also has a bunch of frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter that make it even easier to create complex web applications (more on that ahead). And if you need something specific, there’s probably a library out there that can do it for you.
For example, if you’re using Laravel as your PHP framework, you can find extensive discussions and peer support on the Laracast forum.
You will find a very strong community of Stack Overflow too:
Strong Database Integration
PHP can connect to different databases (like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite) to store and retrieve information.
Just like a quality control personnel, it can also check to make sure the data you’re putting in is correct as well as valid, so you don’t end up with messy or inaccurate information.
How to Install PHP
As I mentioned before, PHP has a slightly different installation process based on the operating system you use. Here I have covered how to isntall PHP on Windows and Mac.
System Requirements
Before installing PHP, make sure your system meets the following minimum requirements:
- Web Server: A web server like Apache, Nginx, or IIS is recommended to run PHP scripts.
- RAM: At least 1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended).
- Database Support: Ensure you have MySQL, PostgreSQL, or another supported database server if needed.
- Development Tools: A code editor or IDE (e.g., Visual Studio Code or PhpStorm) for writing PHP code.
- PHP Version: PHP 8.x is recommended as it offers better performance, security, and features.
- Installing PHP on Windows
To install PHP on Windows, you need to take the following steps. Note that I have Windows 10 but the process for installing PHP on Windows 11 is the same.
- Head over to the official PHP website (https://www.php.net/downloads). Scroll to find the “Windows Downloads” button. Click it.
- Grab the Thread Safe version (recommended). Download the zip file.
- Unzip the downloaded file. You’ll have a new folder. In my case, I directly got the unzipped version.
- Copy and paste that folder into your Program Files directory in Local Disk (C:). Windows might ask for permission, just click “Continue”.
- Right-click the folder and copy its address. We need this for the next step.
- Search for “Edit the system environment variables” in the Start Menu and open it.
- Click “Environment Variables…” and find the “Path” option under System variables. Double-click “Path”.
- Click “New” and paste the address you copied from the PHP folder earlier. Click “Enter” and then “OK” twice.
- Open the Command Prompt from the Start Menu.
- Type php -v and press Enter. This should show you the installed PHP version.
Installing PHP on MacOS
To install PHP on MacOS, you would need Homebrew. It helps you easily find and install all kinds of programs, from developer tools to games.
- To install Homebrew, open the Terminal app and run the following command:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
- Once Homebrew is installed, use the following command in Terminal.
brew install php
- The next step is to verify installation. Run the following command to check the installed PHP version: php -v
- Then, you can configure PHP. Find the php.ini file using the following command: php –ini
- Edit the php.ini file to configure PHP settings as needed.
- Now is the time to start the PHP Server. Start a simple web server: php -S localhost:8000
- Open a web browser and go to http://localhost:8000 to see a basic PHP page.
And there you have it! You have successfully installed PHP on your macOS system.
Basic Syntax and Structure
Now, let’s study some foundational concepts in PHP.
For basic syntax and structure, PHP follows similar rules as the C language. However, it’s specifically designed for web pages. These web pages contain a mix of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP code.
When you open a PHP file in a web browser, the browser processes the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript parts as usual. But if and when it encounters PHP code, it sends that code to a PHP interpreter, which executes the code and generates the appropriate HTML response. With this, PHP ends up creating interactive and personalized web pages.
Variables
In PHP, a variable is like a container with a name on it. You can put different kinds of stuff (numbers, words, etc.) inside this container. To put something in, you use an equal sign (=). The container goes on the left side, and the stuff you want to put in goes on the right.
For example:
<?php $x = 10; echo "Data type of x: " . gettype($x) . "\n"; $x = 10.55; echo "Data type of x now: " . gettype($x) . ""; ?>
In PHP, variables start with a dollar sign ($). So, if you want to name a variable ‘spongebob’, you’d write it as ‘$spongebob’. But remember, PHP is picky about capitalization. ‘spongebob’ is different from ‘$Spongebob’
Also, like other labels in PHP, when naming variables, you can start with a letter or an underscore, after which you can use letters, numbers, or underscores.
Based on all of the above, some examples of valid variable names in PHP would be ‘$name’ or ‘$Age’. The invalid versions of these names could be ‘$name#2’ or ‘Age’.
Data Types
Data types, as the name suggests, is simply the classification of different types of datas.
You’ve got your basic ones like:
Integers: These hold whole numbers, like 1, 2, or 3.
Doubles: These hold numbers with decimals, like 3.14 or 2.718.
Booleans: Think of these as on/off switches. They can only be true or false.
Null: It has no value.
Strings: These are like boxes of letters, words, or symbols.
Then you have the bigger containers:
Arrays: You can put all sorts of things (numbers, words, even other containers) inside them.
Objects: These are like blueprints for creating things. You can make copies of them (called instances) and each copy can have its own set of values
Resources: Special variables that point to something outside of PHP. For example, if you want to connect to a database
So, when you’re working with PHP, you’ll be using these different data types to store and manipulate your data.
Control Statements
Control statements are the instructions you feed to explain what you want done next. Here are some examples from everyday life:
“If” it rains, take an umbrella.
“Repeat” this step until it stops raining.
“Skip” this step if you have already done it.
There are several kinds of control statements:
- If…Else Statement
- Switch Statement
- Loop Types
- For Loop
- Foreach Loop
- While Loop
- Do…While Loop
- Break Statement
- Continue Statement
Functions in PHP
A function in PHP is like a little robot that does a specific job. You can use it again and again in your code, which makes your program easier to understand and maintain.
You’re basically breaking down a big task into smaller, manageable steps. For example, calculating someone’s salary can be broken down into smaller functions for calculating taxes, deductions, and net pay.
Creating a Function
To make a new function, start with the word ‘function’. Then, give it a name. Put brackets after the name. Inside the brackets, you can list things called ‘arguments’.
After the brackets, put curly brackets. Write the code you want the function to do inside the curly brackets.
function foo($arg_1, $arg_2, $arg_n) {
statements;
return $retval;
}
Calling a Function
Once you’ve made a function, you can use it as many times as you want anywhere in your PHP code. But you have to tell it to run.
To do that, just write the name of the function followed by brackets and a semicolon.
function say_hello($name) {
echo "Hello, $name!";
}
// Call the function
say_hello("Alice");
Error Handling
When something goes wrong in your PHP code, it’s called an error. These errors can be like typos, missing files, or detection of when you’re trying to do something that PHP doesn’t understand.
There are different kinds of errors, like ‘Parse errors’ (when PHP can’t understand your code), ‘Undefined variables’ (when you try to use a variable that doesn’t exist), and ‘Fatal errors’ (when something serious goes wrong and PHP stops).
Take the following example:
<?php echo "Hello World" ?>
There is something wrong with this code. The following message will appear when you run it.
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '?>' in /path/to/file on line 3
So what’s wrong? This is a simple example of a parse error.
PHP does not understand what you’re asking of it because a semi-colon is missing at the end of the echo statement. The string is not properly closed.
Now, let’s see the fixed version:
echo "Hello World";
PHP Frameworks
PHP frameworks provide a set of pre-made parts you can use to create your application quickly. Instead of starting from scratch, you can use these parts to build a basic structure and then later you can customize it to your needs.
Since they have ready-to-use tools and features, PHP frameworks make development easier and faster.
Popular Frameworks
The choice of PHP framework depends on several factors like the scale and complexity of the project and the framework’s speed and performance. Following are some of the most popular and best PHP frameworks that are commonly trusted by thousands of developers.
Laravel
It is one of the most popular names. Laravel is the choice of many for complex web applications, ecommerce platforms, and enterprise-level projects.
Pros
- Elegant and feature-rich
- Laravel Blade Templating Engine
- Automated repetitive tasks and simplified database migrations with Artisan
- Enhanced monitoring with Laravel Horizon and Telescope
- Intuitive database manipulation with Eloquent ORM
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Customization limitations
- Larger footprint
Symfony
It has a component-based architecture. Symfony is great for API development, custom CMS platforms, and large-scale applications.
Pros
- Highly flexible and customizable
- Stable and robust for large-scale enterprise applications
- Mature ecosystem with a large developer community
- Comprehensive testing framework and excellent documentation
Cons
- Increased memory consumption and performance overhead
- Reliance on code generation leads to a larger codebase and more generated files
- Dependency management considerations
Yii 2
It is known for its high performance and security. Yii is also a go-to choice of many for enterprise applications as well as high-traffic websites.
Pros
- Exceptional performance with fast execution and low overhead
- Built-in security features for enhanced application security
- Emphasis on rapid development with code generation tools and prebuilt features
- Active community and comprehensive documentation
- Testing framework for efficient unit and functional testing
Cons
- Customization complexity
- Limited built-in features
- Dependency on code generation
- Relatively less mature compared to other PHP frameworks
When to Use a Framework?
It is time to consider using a PHP framework when you realize your project is not a basic one i.e. you’re building something complex and on a large scale. But that is not only when you use a framework. Consider using a PHP framework when:
- You have tight deadlines and need to speed up tasks while delivering both quantity and quality. Yes, learning a framework itself can take some time, but if you have a long term project, investing time can pay off.
- You want great code quality. Frameworks organize your code in a way that helps to manage and update your application.
- You want to improve security. Popular frameworks come with built-in security features that protect your application.
- You care about scalability. Usually, frameworks are design to scale and cna help you manage increased traffic and complexity as your website grows.
PHP and Databases
PHP works with almost all databases. But the one that is the most common and is available for free is MySQL.
MySQL was developed first in 1995 and became popular because it was easy to use and fast. There are a lot of different ways to store data, like InnoDB and MyISAM through this database.
It has features like searching for full words, triggers, and stored procedures, which can be helpful for making complicated database apps.
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Connecting to MySQL
Connecting PHP to MySQL is a fairly technical task. To establish this connection, you can use the mysqli extension.
MySQLi is an API that serves as a connector function, linking the backend of PHP applications to MySQL databases.
Here is an example of how to use mysqli:
<?php
// MySQLi connection
$mysqli = new mysqli("localhost", "username", "password", "database");
// Check connection
if ($mysqli->connect_error) {
die("Connection failed: " . $mysqli->connect_error);
}
// SQL to create table
$sql = "CREATE TABLE users (
id INT(6) UNSIGNED AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
firstname VARCHAR(30) NOT NULL,
lastname VARCHAR(30) NOT NULL,
email VARCHAR(50),
reg_date TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP ON UPDATE CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
)";
// Execute query
if ($mysqli->query($sql) === TRUE) {
echo "Table 'users' created successfully";
} else {
echo "Error creating table: " . $mysqli->error;
}
// Close connection
$mysqli->close();
?>
System Requirements
MySQL Enterprise Service Manager has certain system requirements that are recommended for optimal performance. These requirements are outlined below.
| Linux x86 64-bit | 1.3 GB | 800 MB |
| macOS | 1.2 GB | 700 MB |
| Windows x86 64-bit | 800 MB | 500 MB |
Before you start building a PHP connection to a MySQL database, you need to know what PHPMyAdmin is. It’s a control panel from which you can manage the database you’ve created.
Open your browser, go to localhost/PHPMyAdmin, or click Admin in XAMPP UI.
After installing XAMPP, you must add a password to your account for added security. To do this, navigate to the User Account section and locate the username shown in the image below. From there, you can set a password for your account.
Next is CRUD operations meaning Create, Read, Update, Delete. So, now:
- Create a database in PHPMyAdmin.
- Navigate to XAMPP installation folder and create a folder in htdocs.
- Next, create a new file named db_connection.php and save it as a PHP file.
- To connect to your database, create a new PHP file named index.php and add the following code to it:
<?php include 'db_connection.php'; $conn = OpenCon(); echo "Connected Successfully"; CloseCon($conn); ?>
- Then, to view the index page, open your web browser and navigate to localhost/practice/index.php. You should see the following screen:
Best Practices for PHP Development
PHP is one of the most popular programming languages worldwide. It has a strong community too. But that does not mean you can take it lightly. It is important, for both beginners and seasoned professionals, to keep in mind the best practices for PHP development.
1. Document Your Code Properly
Make sure you document your code clearly and concisely to explain what each part does and why it’s there. This will make it easier for you or others to understand and maintain your code in the future.
Source: dataedo
The documentation will also make it easier for you or others to debug errors because it will help quickly identify any bugs. You can find PHP documentation standards on wordpress.org for a better understanding.
2. Organize Your Code With ‘Namespaces’
Namespaces help organize your code into separate sections, preventing conflicts between code from different parts of your project. It’s like using different folders on your computer to keep files organized.
Other than code organization, it also positively impacts code reusability.
Here is an example:
namespace MyProject;
class MyClass {
public function myMethod() {
// ...
}
}
namespace AnotherProject;
class MyClass {
public function anotherMethod() {
// ...
}
}
In this example, we have two classes named MyClass, but they belong to different namespaces: MyProject and AnotherProject. This prevents any conflicts when using these classes in your code.
3. Write Concise Functions with Arrow Syntax
Arrow functions are a concise and efficient way to write short, simple functions. They can also improve code readability and maintainability.
See the difference below between traditional function and arrow function:
// Traditional function
function greet(name) {
return "Hello, " + name + "!";
}
// Arrow function
const greet = (name) => "Hello, " + name + "!";
// Shorter arrow function (implicit return)
const greet = name => `Hello, ${name}!`;
4. Choose Meaningful Names for Variables and Functions
Choose clear and descriptive names for variables and functions to make your code easier to understand. Avoid using generic or ambiguous names.
If you use meaningless names, other programmers might find it really hard to understand your code and find what they need.
5. Don’t Use Functions Inside Loops
Calling functions inside loops can be inefficient. If possible, move the function call outside the loop to improve performance.
Inefficient practice:
function calculateSquare($num) {
return $num * $num;
}
$numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
$squares = [];
for ($i = 0; $i < count($numbers); $i++) {
$squares[] = calculateSquare($numbers[$i]);
}
print_r($squares);
Efficient practice:
function calculateSquare($num) {
return $num * $num;
}
$numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
$squares = [];
for ($i = 0; $i < count($numbers); $i++) {
$squares[] = $numbers[$i] * $numbers[$i];
}
print_r($squares);
6. Explore Code Editors
While PHP can be composed using Notepad, it is always better to use an Integrated Development Environment. When developers were asked by Jetbrain what editor they used, very few responded with Notepad.
Source: Jetbrains
An IDE provides an extensive set of tools for writing, editing, and debugging PHP code. It can help you work more efficiently and effectively.
A popular example of IDE is PHPStorm. It has a built-in debugger and testing frameworks.
Source: Jetbrains
If not IDE, at least go for a feature-rich text editor to improve performance. Visual Studio Code is an example.
Visual Studio Code user interface. Source: Visual Studio Code
Resources for Further Learning
One blog is surely not enough when it comes to learning about PHP. If you are convinced now that you must learn and master the programming language, you must take courses, check out some online tutorials and join community platforms.
To learn PHP basics and more, you can head to platforms like W3Schools where you will find detailed PHP tutorials for beginners and experts both.
Image shows PHP tutorial on the W3Schools website.
You can also learn via:
- Udemy
- Code Academy
- Tutorials Point
- Free Code Camp
Other than that, it is a great idea to join community forums.
These spaces have developers of all skill levels having discussions, solving problems, and answering questions. An example of that could be the official PHP forums where several discussions happen in a single day.
You can search for a topic or start a new one if you don’t find your answers.
Also check out the following:
- Stack Overflow
- Reddit’s r/php
- Laravel forums like laracast
Summary
So, you now understand the fundamentals of PHP. We not only discussed how to install and set it up, but also foundational knowledge for beginners like basic syntax, functions, and connection with database.
We also understood the best practices for PHP development so you know from the start how you can effectively write and run code. The blog also includes links to detailed tutorials and resources for further learning so you can dive in and explore in detail how to work with PHP.
Remember that practice is key to becoming proficient in PHP. Continue to build projects, experiment with different techniques, and explore the vast ecosystem.
Q. Is PHP easy for beginners?
A. Yes, PHP is generally considered a beginner-friendly language due to its relatively simple syntax and clear structure. However, like any programming language, it requires practice and dedication to master.
Q. Can you learn PHP in 3 days?
A. It’s possible to learn the basics of PHP in 3 days, but mastering it will take longer. The speed of learning depends on your prior experience, dedication, and the resources you use.
Q. Is PHP a dead language?
A. No, PHP is far from dead. It remains one of the most popular programming languages for web development, with a large and active community and continuous updates.
Hafsa Tahir
Hafsa is a content marketer who has been in the organic growth space for the past three years. With her background in Psychology and UX, she enjoys reading users' minds and is keen to try the most creative product marketing angles. Her copies scream: "you're not just a paycheck to us". Loves to crack unfunny jokes, pay gym fee and not go, and write psychologically disturbing short stories for some reason.
