Web Development Beginner

What is PHP?

A widely-used server-side scripting language designed for web development that powers over 75% of websites including WordPress.

PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) runs on the server, generating dynamic HTML pages. It integrates seamlessly with databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL), web servers (Apache, Nginx via PHP-FPM), and supports object-oriented and procedural programming.

Modern PHP (8.x) includes type declarations, named arguments, fibers, enums, and match expressions. Popular frameworks include Laravel, Symfony, and WordPress. PHP excels at web applications, CMSs, and e-commerce platforms.

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PHP Fundamentals

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Related Terms

HTTP Status Codes

Standardized three-digit codes returned by web servers to indicate the result of a client's HTTP request.

A query language for APIs that lets clients request exactly the data they need, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching.

A technique for making asynchronous HTTP requests from a web page without reloading the entire page.

The latest HTTP version that uses QUIC instead of TCP, providing faster connections and better performance on unreliable networks.

Web Accessibility (a11y)

The practice of designing websites that can be used by people with disabilities, following WCAG guidelines.

API (Application Programming Interface)

A set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and exchange data.

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