PHP 5 For Dummies
Chapter One
Getting to Know PHP
In This Chapter
* Taking a look at PHP
* Understanding how PHP works
* Understanding PHP as open source software
So, you want to get to know PHP. Perhaps this is your first adventure in
programming, and you chose PHP because your techie friend told you
it's easy to understand. Well, your friend is right. PHP is one of the easiest
programming languages to understand. The developers of PHP strive constantly
to keep it easy to use.
Perhaps you already know how to program in another language. You've
decided to study PHP because it's the best language for your new Web application
project. It's a good decision because PHP is well suited for writing
dynamic Web applications. PHP is easy to get started with, but it also has
many advanced features for seasoned programmers. If you know C, you
have a great head start because PHP syntax is similar to C syntax.
In this chapter, I discuss what PHP is, what it can do, and how it does it.
Getting Familiar with PHP
PHP is a widely used open source, general-purpose scripting language. It was
originally designed for use in Web site development. ... read full excerpt from PHP 5 For Dummies® ebook
