What is PHP?

PHP is a programming language that runs on web servers to create dynamic web pages. It lets you embed code inside HTML so the page can change its content based on user actions, databases, or other data.

Let's break it down

  • Programming language: a set of rules that tell a computer what to do.
  • Runs on web servers: the code is executed on the computer that hosts the website, not on the visitor’s browser.
  • Dynamic web pages: pages that can show different information each time they’re loaded (like a personalized greeting or a list of products).
  • Embed code inside HTML: you can write PHP code right where you write the normal text and tags of a web page, mixing the two.

Why does it matter?

Because it makes it easy to build interactive websites without needing a separate application. With PHP you can turn a static page into a site that can log users in, display up-to-date news, or sell products online, all with relatively simple code.

Where is it used?

  • Content Management Systems such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, which power millions of blogs and corporate sites.
  • E-commerce platforms like Magento and OpenCart that handle product catalogs, shopping carts, and payments.
  • Custom web applications for things like booking systems, forums, or internal company dashboards.
  • APIs and web services that provide data to mobile apps or other websites.

Good things about it

  • Very easy for beginners to learn; syntax is similar to plain English.
  • Huge community and thousands of free libraries, tutorials, and plugins.
  • Works on almost every web server and operating system (Windows, Linux, macOS).
  • Integrated with many databases, especially MySQL, making data handling straightforward.
  • Open-source and free to use, so there’s no licensing cost.

Not-so-good things

  • Historically inconsistent function names and parameter orders can be confusing.
  • Performance is slower than compiled languages like Go or Rust for very high-traffic sites.
  • Security depends heavily on the developer; common mistakes (e.g., SQL injection) can expose sites.
  • Newer frameworks and languages (Node.js, Python/Django) are gaining popularity, so PHP job demand is shifting in some markets.