PHP Introduction.

PHP is a powerful server-side scripting language for creating dynamic and interactive websites.

The PHP syntax is very similar to Perl and C. PHP is often used together with Apache (web server) on various operating systems. It also supports ISAPI and can be used with Microsoft's IIS on Windows.

A PHP file may contain text, HTML tags and scripts. Scripts in a PHP file are executed on the server.

Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of HTML / XHTML & Some scripting knowledge.

What is PHP?

PHP stands for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor.

PHP is a server-side scripting language, like ASP.

PHP scripts are executed on the server.

PHP supports many databases - MySQL, Informix, Oracle, Sybase, Solid, PostgreSQL, Generic ODBC etc.

PHP is an open source software (OSS).

PHP is free to download and use.

What is a PHP File?

PHP files may contain text, HTML tags and scripts.

PHP files are returned to the browser as plain HTML.

PHP files have a file extension of ".php", ".php3", or ".phtml".

What is MySQL?
MySQL is a database server. 

MySQL is ideal for both small and large applications. 

MySQL supports standard SQL. 

MySQL compiles on a number of platforms. 

MySQL is free to download and use. 

PHP + MySQL

PHP combined with MySQL are cross-platform (means that you can develop in Windows and serve on a Unix platform).

Why PHP?

PHP runs on different platforms - Windows, Linux, Unix etc.

PHP is compatible with almost all servers used today - Apache, IIS etc.

PHP is FREE to download from the official PHP resource: www.php.net.

PHP is easy to learn and runs efficiently on the server side.