PHP is a general-purpose scripting language designed for web development in 1995. The full name of the language is PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, although PHP was originally an acronym for Personal Home Page.
In 1994, Rasmus Lerdorf wrote several CGI (Common Gateway Interface) programs, creating a system that he referred to as Personal Home Page Tools, which he offered to other who wanted to use them on their webpages. He then added a system to process forms, which he named Form Interpreter, which were released together as PHP/FI.
There is no indication that he initially intended PHP as a new programming language. Rather, features were added to it as demands suggested. Because it was not designed as a language, the language developed some inconsistencies, particularly in function naming.
The next major progression in what was becoming a full-fledged programming language was in 1997 when the parser was reprogrammed by Andi Gutmans and Zeev Suraski. Features for new Internet protocols were added and support for the more common commercial databases was included. When PHP 3 was released, its name was changed to PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, generally referenced as PHP. Gutmans and Suraski began a rewrite of the core of PHP, producing an implementation known as the Zend Engine in 1999, which was included in PHP 4.
However, the greatest maturity of PHP was produced with PHP 5, which was on the market for more than eleven years, and is still maintained today. The chief advantage to version 5 was a greater integration of the object-oriented programming paradigm.
During the time that PHP 5 was on the market, several changes were made to it. New tools were added to the language, and PHP interpreters became available on most 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
A lack of enthusiasm for the language came about due to its lack of native Unicode support at the core language level. The development of PHP 6 was designed to rectify this problem. However, due to delays in its development, the project, as initially designed, was abandoned, and a version 5.4 release was prepared, containing fixes to several of the Unicode concerns.
In 2014 and 2015, a major revision to PHP was prepared, placing the language once again among the most powerful. It was decided to skip version 6, and to name this release PHP 7. WordPress-based benchmarks found that PHP 7 offered a 100% increase in performance over the previous version. Its Zend Engine was rewritten as well and named Zend Engine 3. While PHP 7 retained compatibility with version 5, support for some PHP 4 methods were deprecated. PHP 8 is scheduled for 2023 or 2024.
Most of the tools designed for web development are made, at least in part, with PHP. Because of its popularity, a large developer community has evolved around the language. Releases of PHP include free and open-source libraries in source distributions. Developers can write extensions in C, adding functionality to the language, and extensions can be compiled statically into PHP or loaded dynamically at runtime.
PHP development is in the hands of the PHP Group at Zend Technologies, which provides PHP certification to programmers who are able to pass the exam to become certified PHP developers.
PHP is available for free under the PHP License, which includes stipulations that do not qualify under a GNU General Public License.
PHP is a general-purpose scripting language used primarily in server-side web development. When used in web development, PHP usually runs on a web server. PHP code is executed by the PHP runtime to create dynamic web page content. It can be used for command-line scripting and client-side GUI applications. It is supported by most web browsers, operating systems, and platforms. Most web hosts support PHP for their clients. Although it was originally used to create dynamic web pages, its current focus is on server-side scripting.
While PHP scripts are most often used in server-side scripts, they can be run from the command line, or in desktop applications, although it is generally not the most appropriate language to use to create desktop applications with a graphical user interface.
The only complete implementation of PHP is the original, known simply as PHP, and powered by the Zend Engine. In some contexts, it may be known as Zend PHP. Other implementations include HHVM, HipHop, Parrot, Phalanger, and Quercus.
The PHP scripting language and any of its implementations are appropriate for this category, as are any editors or other tools designed to facilitate PHP programming, any user groups, forums, tutorials, or guides.
Recommended Resources
Used in building dynamic websites with PHP, CodeIgniter is an open-source (MIT License) rapid development web framework based on the model-view-controller development pattern, although it can be modified to use a hierarchical model view controller, with models and view arranged in a sub-directory format. It may be downloaded from the site, which also publishes a user manual, development notes, a list of features, a community support forum, and other support options.
https://codeigniter.com/
Released in 2012, Composer is an application, level package manager for PHP, which allows users to install PHP applications that are available on Packagist, its repository of available packages. System requirements and installation instructions are put forth, along with documentation that includes a user guide, various informational articles, FAQs, and API documentation. The application may be freely downloaded from the site, available through an MIT License.
https://getcomposer.org/
Created by Taylor Otwell, Laravel is a free and open-source PHP web framework for the development of web applications, and including a command-line interface known as Artisan, which is used for managing database migrations and seeding, publishing package assets, and generating boilerplate code for new controllers and migrations. A full description of its features and ecosystem are featured on the site, along with server requirements, installation instructions, and user documentation.
https://laravel.com/
Founded in 1998, the privately held company’s flagship product is phpDesigner, a PHP IDE and editor that can also be used to code CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. The IDE may be downloaded in trial mode, which may later be unlocked through the purchase of a single commercial license or a single personal license. Its features are listed, along with screenshots, screencasts, system requirements, language packages, upgrade policies, documentation, and client testimonials.
http://www.mpsoftware.dk/
Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, NuSphere is a provider of PHP tools, including PhpED, a PHP editor, which includes Php Editor/IDE, and Php Debugger, and other features, as well as PhpDock, PhpExpress, NuCoder, and TechPlatform, each of which are highlighted here, and available for purchase and download. Other resources include a support forum where users can ask questions and receive answers about the company’s products and a free PHP tutorial.
http://www.nusphere.com/
Dedicated to the PHP programming language, PHP Architect was founded in 2000, publishing a printed magazine until 2009, when it went digital-only until 2012, and now offers a print publication on demand. Subscription and advertising information are offered, and back issues are available for purchase in PDF, ePub, or Mobi format. The magazine’s policies for accepting written contributions are stated, and a calendar of events is included. Custom PHP training services are also offered
https://www.phparch.com/
PHP is a scripting language used as a server-side platform for web development. The active community of developers includes those at all stages in their careers and expertise, and includes an overview of PHP, as well as a guide to getting started with PHP, as well as in-depth articles on PHP architecture, HTML/CSS, PHP functions, and other skills, a library of PHP code snippets, an archive of tips and pointers from PHP developers, and an online discussion forum.
https://phpbuilder.com/
Online since 1999, PHP Classes is a repository of freely distributed programming classes of objects written in the PHP web scripting language. Originally, only classes written by the site author were included but, in recent years, other developers have been contributing their own classes. Some developers require registration with the site in order for their classes to be downloaded, and registration is required in order to contribute PHP classes. A blog and forum are included.
https://www.phpclasses.org/
Previously known as the PHP Standards Group, PHP-FIG is comprised of various PHP project representatives, providing a venue for the discussion of the commonalities between projects, encouraging ways in which different PHP projects can work together, the end result being PHP standard recommendations. Its mission, structure, PSR workflow, naming conventions, and amendments, licensing policies, and voting protocols are defined, bylaws are recorded, and a blog is included.
https://www.php-fig.org/
PHP Jabbers offers dozens of PHP scripts and web applications, some free, others available for a price. Premium scripts include various booking scripts, and those dealing with e-commerce, classified ads, polls and voting, content management, web calendars, websites, and miscellaneous uses. Also included is a fundraising script. The features of each are outlined, along with a demo, and pricing. Other resources include an informational blog and an overview of its support services.
https://www.phpjabbers.com/
Internet Information Services is an extensible web server created by Microsoft. Running PHP is said to increase the performance of PHP applications running on Windows Server with the Windows Cache Extension for PHP. Windows, Wordpress, Drupal, and Joomla installations of PHP are featured, along with links to the Microsoft support forums for IIS extensions, PHP, and related topics, informational blogs, documentation, and information for PHP developers.
https://php.iis.net/
PHP user groups from around the world are featured on an interactive map. Upon clicking on a geographical location, the corresponding user group is highlighted, with meeting schedules, locations, contacts, and other details, when available. User groups that offer mentoring may also be found through an interactive map, as can scheduled events. Other resources include tips and tricks on running a PHP User Group, which includes sponsorships and partnership projects.
https://php.ug/
As its name suggests, PHP-Editors reviews editors and IDEs for the PHP programming language. Recent editor reviews are highlighted on the index page of the site, but all of its reviews may be found, with ratings and other information. Other resources include PHP news, which may also be submitted for inclusion. Discussion forums for PHP desktop editors, contests, programming help, games, jobs, and other PHP tools are included, along with Linux, Apache, and MySQL topics.
http://www.php-editors.com/
Focused on PHP for Microsoft Windows, the site also offers information on ports of PHP extensions and features and provides special builds for various architectures of Microsoft Windows. Updates on the development of PECL for Windows are provided, along with reviews of various versions with respect to their ability to run in a Windows environment. Binaries and source releases are available for download, as well as snapshots. The development team is acknowledged.
https://windows.php.net/
Offering tutorials and code samples of PHP. Featured lessons include PHP FTP functions, sending emails in PHP and email injection attacks, PHP pagination class, handling file uploads in PHP, eAccelerator-based PHP hosting, tips for PHP beginners, PHP cURL functions, submitting forms using PHP cURL, and PHIP encryption class. Other resources include a PHP manual, ADOdb, PHPMailer, CodeIgniter, Zend Framework, PHPList, phpGACL, and ionCube.
https://phpsense.com/
Rapid PHP is a PHP code editor for Windows that combines the features of a PHP IDE with the speed of Notepad, and which may also be used for coding CSS, HTML, or JavaScript. Its features are highlighted, screenshots are provided, and customer testimonials are posted to the site. Rapid PHP is one of a range of web code editors, some of which are compared, including prices and other details. Instructions for downloading, installing, ordering, licensing, and activation are given.
https://www.rapidphpeditor.com/
PHP is a general-purpose scripting language used in web development, and the PHP Group is responsible for its continued development. Include are release notes, development updates, and a download page where the current and previous stable releases may be obtained for free, as well as GPG keys for current and older releases. The PHP manual is available in several languages, and links to additional documentation, user groups, mailing lists, and scheduled events are provided.
https://www.php.net/
Designed for learning, testing, and training, the W3Schools tutorial on PHP offers a profile of the scripting language. Each of its instructional pages includes an online editor, in which users can edit the PHP code and try out exercises as they go along. The tutorial includes examples and lessons on several aspects and functions of PHP scriptwriting, including an introduction and installation instructions, PHP forms, object-oriented programming, the MySQL database, and PHP with XML and AJAX.
https://www.w3schools.com/php/
The online code editors provide opportunities for users to write and test and run/execute PHP code through the web browser. Using version 7 of PHP, the online editor supports most PHP functions, although some potentially unwanted PHP-powered shell functions are disabled for security reasons. The site does not track IP addresses, save cookies, or retain any information about the code or other details runs on the editor. Featured are a Crontab generator, PHP functions, and PHP beautifier.
http://www.writephponline.com/
Founded in 1999 by the creators of PHP 3, at the time that the Zend Engine, and open-source parser, was introduced in PHP 4, the company’s products and services are based on PHP. Its products include the Zend Server, a PHP application platform, and PHP development tools, including Zend Guard and Zend Studio. The company also provides long-term PHP support, performance auditing, migration, Zend server deployment, and custom consulting services, as well as PHP training and certification.
https://www.zend.com/
