What is PHP and what do I need to use it?
In this course we will explain what the PHP language is and for which purposes you can use it. We will also cover the easiest and fastest way to setup your PHP environment to get you started at creating your own scripts. After completing this course you should be capable of setting up a working PHP environment and knowing what you can do with it. In the following courses we will cover how to use the PHP language.
PHP is a server side language which means that all the tasks it handles get handled on the server. For example; you are viewing this website, you are on the client machine, through the internet you connect to a webserver, the server analyses your request (which is the URL you are at) and processes the code, to return to you (the client), a page with the information you have requested.
To get started with PHP all you will need is a webserver running the PHP software, database software is optional but often used. There are different types of servers available. For testing and following this course I would recommend one of these depending on the operating system you are working with:
- WAMP - For use on Windows
- LAMP - For use on Linux (multiple distrubutions howto's)
- XAMPP - For use on Mac OS X
- Zend Server Community Edition - Available for multiple OS's
After you are all setup with the application or any other server that suits you we are ready to move on to the next course 'Writing your first PHP script'.
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