Php - A First Look
Author: Dave Davis
PHP: Hypertext Processor is a server-side web programming
language that blends seamlessly with HTML. PHP can run on both
Unix and Windows servers, which makes it more accessible than
its Windows counterpart, Active Server Pages (ASP). Most
full-service web design firms will have at least one PHP guru.
PHP uses are widespread, and can include any kind of server
functionality that takes user's input and displays or
manipulates the input. Some pertinent examples of such work are
message boards, auction sites, shopping carts, and more. This
synopsis is meant to serve only as a gateway to other works;
although the main goal is to give a reader enough information
so they can make educated decisions about what their web
developer should do. For those looking to get into PHP, there
are many free tutorials and primers out there:
http://www.4webhelp.net/tutorials/php/basics.php , is a
pertinent example
PHP generally uses the mySQL database system. MySQL is a
server-side system that is included on many Unix, and some
Windows servers.
Once a user knows the basics of PHP and its capacities, he can
work with plenty of open-source scripts. Without having to
actually build a script from scratch, one can get a fully
functional website with a custom design (assuming the designer
has HTML/graphics knowledge). Two of the most popular
open-source (free) scripts for PHP/mySQL are PHPBB and
osCommerce. PHPBB is forum software that is fairly common. It
has all the main features of a message board and can have mods
(modules) added for more features. OsCommerce is a shopping
cart script that has support for many payment gateways,
including some free ones like Paypal. The great thing about
scripts like these is that they have a full community of
developers – both beginners and professionals – that are there
to help with installation and modification.
However, if a user doesn't feel that he's ready to take the
plunge and work with PHP code, most web design firms are more
than willing to work with open-source scripts. Others even have
their own pre-made, or can work from scratch for an upgraded
fee. Sometimes, an open source script simply won't suffice
because a user needs something tailored to his needs.
Larger-scale online business and e-treps require capabilities
that may be out of the reach of osCommerce.
To conclude, PHP is a server-side scripting language that
offers widespread capabilities for web developers looking to
interact with their viewers. It may take years to master a
technology like this, but there are plenty of great deals out
there for pre-made scripts or from-scratch technologies. This
story served as an introduction to PHP, later articles will go
into further detail.
About The Author: David Davis, is the lead developer and
project manager of PHPZEN. – Commercial PHP scripts. For more
information visit http://www.phpzen.com
language that blends seamlessly with HTML. PHP can run on both
Unix and Windows servers, which makes it more accessible than
its Windows counterpart, Active Server Pages (ASP). Most
full-service web design firms will have at least one PHP guru.
PHP uses are widespread, and can include any kind of server
functionality that takes user's input and displays or
manipulates the input. Some pertinent examples of such work are
message boards, auction sites, shopping carts, and more. This
synopsis is meant to serve only as a gateway to other works;
although the main goal is to give a reader enough information
so they can make educated decisions about what their web
developer should do. For those looking to get into PHP, there
are many free tutorials and primers out there:
http://www.4webhelp.net/tutorials/php/basics.php , is a
pertinent example
PHP generally uses the mySQL database system. MySQL is a
server-side system that is included on many Unix, and some
Windows servers.
Once a user knows the basics of PHP and its capacities, he can
work with plenty of open-source scripts. Without having to
actually build a script from scratch, one can get a fully
functional website with a custom design (assuming the designer
has HTML/graphics knowledge). Two of the most popular
open-source (free) scripts for PHP/mySQL are PHPBB and
osCommerce. PHPBB is forum software that is fairly common. It
has all the main features of a message board and can have mods
(modules) added for more features. OsCommerce is a shopping
cart script that has support for many payment gateways,
including some free ones like Paypal. The great thing about
scripts like these is that they have a full community of
developers – both beginners and professionals – that are there
to help with installation and modification.
However, if a user doesn't feel that he's ready to take the
plunge and work with PHP code, most web design firms are more
than willing to work with open-source scripts. Others even have
their own pre-made, or can work from scratch for an upgraded
fee. Sometimes, an open source script simply won't suffice
because a user needs something tailored to his needs.
Larger-scale online business and e-treps require capabilities
that may be out of the reach of osCommerce.
To conclude, PHP is a server-side scripting language that
offers widespread capabilities for web developers looking to
interact with their viewers. It may take years to master a
technology like this, but there are plenty of great deals out
there for pre-made scripts or from-scratch technologies. This
story served as an introduction to PHP, later articles will go
into further detail.
About The Author: David Davis, is the lead developer and
project manager of PHPZEN. – Commercial PHP scripts. For more
information visit http://www.phpzen.com
