What is PHP?
PHP is an open-source server-side scripting language that is used for web development. PHP is an acronym for Hypertext Preprocessor, which can easily be embedded in HTML documents. PHP has mostly used server-side language, which means that it runs on a web hosting server. Facebook, Yahoo, and Google would not exist without PHP. Rasmus Lerdorf created PHP in 1994, but it didn’t appear on the market until 1995. The latest version of PHP is 7.4.0, which was released on 28 November.
Characteristics of PHP
- Simplicity
- Open Source
- Efficiency
- Platform Independent
- Security
- Web Server Support
- Flexibility
- Error Reporting
- Familiarity
Why Learn PHP?
PHP is a MUST for students and working professionals seeking to become great Software Engineers, especially when they are working in the Web Development domain.
These are the reasons why we should learn PHP.
- PHP can be embedded in HTML.
- A PHP script manages the dynamic content of the website using server-side scripting.
- PHP is integrated with some of the popular databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, and Microsoft SQL Server.
- PHP is supported by many major protocols such as POP3, IMAP, and LDAP. For the first time, PHP4 added support for Java and distributed object architectures (COM and CORBA).
- Easy to Learn: It is easy to learn for anyone coming across any programming language for the first time.
- Free of Cost: Since it is an open-source language, developers are free to use its components and all methods.
- Flexible: Because it is dynamically typed, there are no hard rules on how to construct features with it.
Who Uses PHP?
Several established companies use PHP to run their servers and make a lot of incredible things.
- Facebook: Facebook uses PHP because it is a good web programming language.
- Wikipedia: One of the world’s largest sources of information, Wikipedia is built in PHP.
- Content Management Systems (CMSs): the world’s most popular content management system, WordPress, is built in PHP.
- Web Hosting Platforms: Web Hosting Platforms such as BlueHost, Site ground, and Whogohost run their hosting servers using PHP.
Job Opportunities
A degree in information technology is a preferable prerequisite to work in the area of PHP. However, anybody can develop their skills in PHP without having a professional academic qualification. Proper knowledge of PHP and fine managerial skills can fetch the plum job of a PHP Project Manager. The career of a PHP developer is not limited to the job only. After getting good experience in this field, one can start his own PHP based services as a full-time freelancer or part-time with regular jobs and earn a good amount of money. There is a global increase in demand for PHP developers at both national and international levels to create attractive and dynamic websites.
