For a web site to be competitive today, it must be interactive, dynamic, and capable of performing on-line transactions. Gone are the days, when entire web sites were created using static pages. Today, web developers are using tools and programming languages to help them create customized web pages, develop shopping cart applications, and track user's behaviors. To meet these development challenges, this paper will examine the strengths of one of the latest programming languages used to create dynamic web pages known as 'PHP Hypertext Preprocessor' (PHP). This software, originally known as Personal Home Pages.
With PHP you write HTML script with embedded code delineated with special start and end tags. The embedded code is executed on the server and then sent to your browser. What is displayed in the browser is the result from the code's execution. This is very different from other scripting languages like Perl and C where code is written to output HTML commands. While similar to JavaScript, the main difference with PHP is the code is executed on the servers, whereas with JavaScript the code is executed on the client-side. With JavaScript it is possible to determine the underlying code, whereas with PHP the underlying code is hidden from the user.
Some of the strengths of PHP include:
- Supports database connectivity.
- PHP can access over 20 different databases including MySql, Oracle, and MS Access. Supports sessions.
- PHP can generate unique session IDs.
- The ID follows the user during a single session on a web site.
- This simplifies creating shopping cart applications and tracking user's behaviors. Eliminates client configuration problems.
- With PHP there is no need to worry if the client has the appropriate software installed, since the application is executed on the server.
- Reduces development time. Even a newcomer can begin developing PHP applications in hours.
- Yet PHP contains many advanced features for professional programmers.
- Maintains source code security.
- The user does not see your source code as they do with JavaScript.
5 Leading Strengths Of PHP:
Open Source:
It is an open source server side scripting language. It is available for free and can also be used for building dynamic web applications. For tight budget projects, this programming language can prove to be the right solution.
High performance, flexibility and scalability:
With PHP in hand, you can easily develop applications that are higher in performance and enjoy enhanced graphics along with complete flexibility and scalability for your next big project.
Active support:
It has a large community of programmers that are available for your support and help. You can also find help through social media, blogs, video/PDF files, support forums etc. Its large and active community helps developers in resolving their queries related to coding issues and documentation online.
Independent platform:
Easy to deploy on any environment, PHP is an independent platform that supports Oracle, MySQL and other back-end databases. Ideal for web page development, it is compatible with different platforms such as- Windows, UNIX, Mac OS X and Linux.
Fast and Reliable:
It is more fast and reliable compared to any other programming language. Talking about usage and configuration, PHP is the easier than its counterparts. In fact, it retains its speed and does not slow down the process while it is used with other software applications. Yes! PHP made applications are quite simple and easy to follow.
The PHP development team has recently announced the release of PHP 5.5.3 and 5.4.19 and developers and users alike can upgrade to it. So, make use of PHP today to enjoy flexible, cost effective, reliable, high performance and speedy and turn your web project a successful one.
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