PHP--A Powerful Web Development Tool! Website development has constantly evolved since the past few decades. Along with website development various web languages emerged too. PHP is one of them! Basically PHP involves open source scripting and is used for website development. What makes PHP different from other languages is the fact that it’s code is executed on server, generating a HTML script which is then forwarded at client’s system. Resultantly, the client receives a piece of script, having no idea about the underlying coding. We can easily configure our web server to process all our html files--giving users no idea about actual implementation of code. PHP stands for is "Hypertext Pre-processor". Now you must be wondering that it would make it HPP, isn't it? An alternative explanation for this is that the initials come from the earliest version of the program, termed as Personal Home Page Tools. At least now we have a better explanation and full form that we can easily associate to. Not only for hardcore programmers, but PHP is an extremely simple language for a newcomer too. PHP is a great tool for creating username and password login pages, designing forms, creating forums, surveys and lot more exciting stuff. If you ever came across a web page that has a php extension, then it is possible that the author has definitely written a programming code to add life to plain html script.
Applications of PHP language: PHP has always been a master language for creating dynamic web pages. Here a few applications that can be developed and designed with taking PHP in use. Let’s have a look: 1. Web Applications : You will be amazed by the figures, but PHP is used by over 82% websites. A lot of web based enterprises and huge facebook applications are now being developed by using PHP. 2. Web Content Management System : PHP is widely being used and supported by major database clients including MySQL, Oracle and MS Access are capable of interacting with other services using protocols such as IMAP, LDAP, POP3, NNTP, SNMP, HTTP and COM . PHa has played a crucial role in creating popular web Content Management Systems (CMS), which includes WordPress and its plugins, user-facing portion of Facebook, Joomla, Drupal, Moodle, Silverstripe, MediaWiki, Digg and others. 3. eCommerce Applications : This is one leading platform which has become one indispensable requirement in this digital world. eCommerce is being used by small enterprises to corporate organizations to individuals, and is creating a major presence in market. A lot of famous eCommerce platforms, such as OpenCart, Magento, PrestaShop, Zen Cart, AgoraCart and Ubercart, have all been created on PHP. 4. GUI based applications : Not only limited for creating web based applications, it also allow scripting in PHP, compiling it into .exe capable of running standalone.