PHP Programming Language for Dynamic Websites

Computer software can be operated using a programming language. With various programming languages, humans can create websites, applications, and other digital products.

Several programming languages commonly used to create websites include PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor), HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), and CSS (Cascading Style Sheet). In this article, we will discuss the PHP programming language used to create dynamic websites.

Understanding PHP

In the world of programming, there is the term PHP, Hypertext Preprocessor. PHP is the most popular programming language for creating dynamic websites. In Wikipedia, Rasmus Lerdorf was the first person to make PHP in 1995. Initially, PHP was named FI (Form Interpreter), then it was called PHP/FI when it was released to the public, which at first PHP was short for Personal Home Page, not Hypertext Preprocessor.

During its development, PHP attracted the attention of many programmers. At least there are various PHP versions released until 2020, including PHP/FI 2.0 (1997), PHP 3.0 (1998), PHP 4.0 (1999), PHP 5.0 (2004), PHP 7.1.2 (2017), PHP 7.40RC6 (2019), and PHP 7.4.4 (2020).

In 1998, the Zend Company, which released PHP 3.0, decided to change the PHP extension from Personal Home Page to Hypertext Preprocessor. This is because PHP (Personal Home Page), which was originally only for creating personal websites, was able to make popular websites such as WordPress so it was changed to PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor).

In the digital era like now, PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) has an official website which is located at http://www.php.net. On this website, there is information related to the latest PHP released by the PHP Group.

Please note that PHP is a programming language that is open source and can be used free of charge. This programming language is a server-side system, which means it is processed by a server computer.

Some of the things that make PHP chosen as a programming language for creating websites are as follows:

1. When compared to other programming languages, the PHP learning process is shorter.
2. Has great documentation and community as a result of which PHP has become the most popular programming language.
3. PHP becomes cost-effective because it is supported by most of the website servers by default.
4. PHP Group updates PHP regularly to keep abreast of technological developments.
5. PHP is referred to as a cross-platform language because it can be found in various operating systems such as Mac OS, Linux, and Windows.

PHP function

PHP Programming Language for Dynamic Websites

Unlike HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) which is used to create static websites, PHP is capable of creating dynamic websites. This means a website that can adjust the display of content according to existing situations, can process forms, can store data in a database, can convert pages into PDF, can produce images, can manage sessions and cookies, and so on.

In practice, PHP is referred to as a scripting programming language because of the code that is inserted in HTML documents and is usually combined with CSS (Cascading Style Sheet). With this insertion, there will be an effective use of repeated bar codes.

While MySQL is a programming language for open databases to access multiple databases at once. The combination of PHP and MySQL can be used to create online stores and other products.

Popularly, the functions attached to PHP are called CRUD (Create, Read, Update, and Delete). The explanation of the CRUD function is as follows:

1. Create is a function to create new data on a website that is managed by PHP. For example, a new registration on a website.
2. Read means PHP can read and display data in the database. Users can set how this data is displayed according to their wishes.
3. Update is a function to edit existing data in the database. An example is editing a user profile.
4. Delete to delete existing data in the database, either in the form of profiles, comments, or other similar actions.

Syntax and Data Types in PHP

The syntax is defined as the rules of writing in a programming language. The following is the syntax and some data types in PHP that you need to know:

1. PHP syntax starts with “<?php” and ends with “?>”.
2. PHP does not distinguish the use of capital letters, except in variables. This means there will be no problem with using capital letters in function names, class names, and built-in keywords like while and echo. For example “<?php echo “Asterokid”;?>” is considered the same as “<?php ECHO “Asterokid”;?>”.
3. PHP has a command line that contains a collection of commands to do something. This line can be either a simple command line or a complex looping command line.
4. Tab and space characters are generally ignored in the command line. Long command lines save space, but the number of command lines that are intentionally broken down makes it easier to read.
5. Comments in PHP are not as a program, but to facilitate program documentation.
6. PHP variables are symbolized by “$” followed by the name of the variable. For example, as follows

<!DOCTYPE html>
<body><html>

<?php

$txt = “Hello beautiful variables!”;
echo $txt;

?>

</body>
</html>

Echo and print are default keywords to display data on the screen. For example, as follows:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>

<?php

echo “<h2>PHP super!</h2?”;
print “I’m about to learn PHP!<br>”;

?>

</body>
</html>

• PHP string is data in the form of characters, text, or sentences.
• PHP integer is data that contains round numbers. For example 1, 2, and 3.
• PHP float is data that has a decimal value. For example, are 0.1; 0.02; and 0.003.
• PHP boolean is data that has true and false values.
• PHP array is data that contains various sets of data types.

Creating Dynamic Websites

Reporting from Liputan 6, PHP is the most widely used programming language in the world for creating websites. In 2014, Wikipedia wrote that 82% of website servers in the world use this programming language.

But in the process, creating a dynamic website is not as easy as creating a free website using Blogspot or WordPress on Google. Before creating a dynamic website, the user must have three supporting applications installed on the computer, namely a text editor (Notepad++ or Sublime Text), XAMPP, and a browser (Google Chrome or Mozilla).

Users also have to master basic PHP matters (syntax, strings, variables, etc.), then users can learn to connect PHP with the database. One website that is highly recommended for learning about PHP is w3schools.com. The website contains tutorials, references, examples, and PHP implementation exercises.

Everyone can create dynamic websites, especially after reading the basic things related to PHP that have been described previously. With a little willingness to learn, readers can create more modern, dynamic websites. Truly the coding world is for patient people.

Those are some explanations regarding PHP in programming. The explanation above is the beginning of ‘getting to know’ a broader programming language. Therefore, continue to refer to this site to get complete information according to your needs.