Introduction to PHP

PHP is a widely used scripting language for Web Development. The big draw for Web Developers to learn PHP is that it can be embedded into HTML, which makes it easy to manage. Otherwise, HTML can be quite long with its commands.

PHP is an acronym for Hypertext Preprocessor. Basic knowledge of HTML could help you easily comprehend how PHP functions. PHP enables the collection, processing, and utilization of data and facilitates interactions with all the pages.

Following are the key areas of the functions of PHP:

• Server-side scripting: A great way to start PHP for new learners
• Command-line scripting: Best for scripts that are made using Task Scheduler or Cron and for text processing
• Writing desktop applications: While not the best language for desktop applications, it offers several options in advanced Web Development compared to its competitors

Whatever you require for PHP, chances are that they will be readily available on your desktop. It is compatible with major operating systems, Windows, macOS X, Linux, etc. It also supports most of the popular servers, giving one the luxury of choosing.

PHP is very easy to pick up for beginners and complete novices while getting to work with all the advanced features that any seasoned professional will appreciate.

What is a PHP Developer?

A PHP Developer is a professional who develops applications, websites, and programs using PHP. While they are also more generically called Software Developers or Web Developers, PHP Developers, in the true sense, are a specialized subset of the ‘Developer’ position, depending on their job description.

PHP is ubiquitous in website development, and PHP Developers usually work behind the scenes or create UIs. PHP is ideal for contract developers or freelancers as well.

PHP Development Tools

The market is flooded with PHP development tools to increase programming efficiency, account for a perfect IDE (Integrated Development Environment), and allow a PHP Developer to work on feature-rich projects. Following are some of the popular PHP development tools:

• PhpStorm
• Zend Studio
• NuSphere PhpED
• NetBeans
• Cloud9
• Aptana Studio
• CobeLobster
• Sublime Text
• PHP Debug Bar
• Eclipse

Future Scope of a PHP Developer

Here are some highlights of using PHP:

• PHP is a widely popular language.
• Since PHP is easy to learn and adapt, it is widely used in blog sites.
• Publishing a website can be easily done in PHP with the support of CMS.
• MySQL can be easily implemented with PHP for server-based web applications using a database by even non-technical developers.
• PHP remains feature-rich and up-to-date with the addition of new frameworks and the latest technologies.
• PHP’s simplistic approach has made it popular and assures its applications in the future.