PHP is a popular, open-source scripting language mainly used in web development. It runs on the server side and generates dynamic content that is displayed on a web application. PHP is easy to embed in HTML, and it allows developers to create interactive web pages and handle tasks like database management, form handling, and user authentication.
- PHP code is executed on the server, generating HTML output sent to the client’s browser.
- It is a dynamically typed language, allowing variables to change types during execution, offering flexibility in coding.
- PHP is platform-independent, which means it can run on various operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- PHP supports session management, which allows tracking user activities across different pages on a website.
Note: The latest version, PHP 8.4.8, released on 2025, It makes PHP faster, more efficient and adds new features which improving its performance for modern web applications.
PHP Hello World Program
To start with PHP, you need to install it. Follow the steps below to install it on your system.
- Install PHP in your Windows System | Linux | or MacOS
- Set up PHP Project
After installing PHP, let’s write your first PHP program. Here’s a simple code example:
<?php
echo "Hello World!";
?>
Output
Hello World!
Why Learn PHP?
As per Stack Overflow’s recent survey, PHP ranked as the 7th most used language for web development. Here are some reasons why you should learn PHP in 2025:
- Wide Usage in Web Development: PHP is widely used in web development, with over 40% of websites using WordPress. As per the data of 2025, more than 75% of developers prefer PHP for server-side tasks due to its rapid development process.
- Easy to Code in PHP: PHP code is simple to write because it works well with HTML. This allows developers to combine server-side and client-side code and making web development more straightforward and efficient.
- Great for Beginners: PHP is beginner-friendly with its simple syntax and ease of setup. You can run PHP locally using tools like XAMPP or MAMP, making it accessible for new developers eager to start building websites.
- Embedding with HTML: PHP is easily embedded in HTML, which allows developers to create dynamic content easily and allows server-side logic with the front-end user interface.
- Compatible with Popular Frameworks: PHP works well with frameworks like Laravel and Symfony, offersenableswhich have seen over 70% adoption in web development projects. These frameworks offer enhanced security, rapid development features and scalability.
- Career and Freelancing Opportunities: PHP is widely used by small to mid-sized businesses for their websites. There’s still strong demand for PHP developers, especially for roles involving maintenance, migration, and WordPress development.
Getting Started with PHP: A Beginner’s Guide
This PHP tutorial provides you with a step-by-step learning journey for mastering PHP. You will start with PHP fundamentals and then move on to advanced topics.
By the end of this tutorial, you will have a solid foundation in PHP and be ready to build scalable and maintainable web applications.
1. PHP Basics
Once your environment is ready, we’ll explore the core concepts that will form the foundation of your PHP skills. Learn how to write dynamic web applications, manage variables, perform type casting, and work with control structures.
- Introduction
- PHP Data Types
- PHP Variables
- Type Juggling
- Operators
- Decision Making
- PHP Math
- PHP Constants
- PHP Magic Constants
2. PHP Functions
Functions are key to creating efficient and reusable code. This section will teach you how to create functions in PHP, from basic functions to more advanced anonymous and variadic functions.
- PHP Functions
- PHP Default Functions
- Anonymous Function PHP
- PHP Callback Function
- PHP Arrow Functions
- PHP String Functions
- PHP Date and Time
3. PHP Beginner Projects
Now that you have a basic understanding of PHP, start with some beginner-level projects to solidify your concepts and apply them in real-world applications.
4. PHP Arrays
Arrays are essential for managing data in PHP. This section covers array types and essential superglobal variables that are crucial for managing form data, sessions, and cookies.
- Arrays
- Indexed Arrays
- Associative Arrays
- Multidimensional Arrays
- Array Functions
5. Superglobals
Superglobals in PHP are built-in variables that are always accessible from any scope in a script. They provide useful information and data, like user input, server details, and session information.
- Superglobal
- $GLOBALS
- $_REQUEST
- $_GET
- $_POST
- Cookies
- Sessions
- $_FILES
6. PHP File Handling
Working with files is a common task in many web applications. In this section, we will cover the techniques for reading, writing, uploading, and securing files in PHP.
- PHP File Handling
- PHP fopen( )
- PHP readfile( )
- PHP fwrite()
- PHP fclose()
- PHP unlink()
- PHP file_exists()
7. PHP Forms
Learning how to securely handle user input is essential. This section will show you how to create forms, validate user input, and apply essential security measures like CSRF protection.
- PHP Form COVID-19
- PHP Form Validation
- PHP Form Required
- PHP Form URL/E-mail
8. PHP Intermediate Projects
Continue to solidify your PHP knowledge by building intermediate-level projects. These projects will challenge you to apply your skills in more complex scenarios.
- Project 3: Image Resizer in PHP
- Project 4: Uploader in PHP
- Project 5:Image Link Extractor in PHP
- Project 6:Signup Form in PHP
9. PHP Object Oriented
PHP Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) allows you to structure your code using classes and objects, promoting code reusability, organization, and scalability.
- PHP Classes and Objects
- PHP Abstract Classes
- PHP Access Modifiers
- Constructors & Destructors
- PHP Inheritance
- PHP Polymorphism
- PHP Traits
- PHP Namespaces
10. Error Handling and Exception Handling
Error handling and exception handling in PHP allow you to manage runtime errors and exceptions effectively, ensuring smooth execution and providing a mechanism for graceful error recovery and debugging.
- Error Reporting in PHP
- Types of Errors
- Throwing Custom Exceptions
- Logging Errors and Debugging Techniques
- Using set_error_handler() and trigger_error() for User-Defined Errors
11. PHP Testing and Debugging
Testing and debugging are essential skills for ensuring your code is reliable and error-free. This section introduces you to unit testing with PHPUnit, debugging tools, and effective debugging techniques.
- Unit Testing with PHPUnit
- Mocking and Stubbing in PHPUnit
- Debugging PHP Code and Tools
12. PHP Advanced Projects
Now that you’ve covered most of the key PHP concepts, it’s time to work on some advanced projects to further strengthen your skills and gain hands-on experience:
- Project 7: Admin Login Page in PHP
- Project 8: Group Chat application in PHP
- Project 9: COVID-19 Tracker in PHP
Best Approach to Learn PHP
You can complete this PHP tutorial in approximately 12 weeks.
- In the first two weeks, you’ll cover PHP basics, including variables, data types, and operators.
- Week three will focus on functions, followed by beginner-level projects in weeks four and five.
- Weeks six and seven will dive into arrays, superglobals, and session management.
- Week eight will cover form handling and validation, while week nine will focus on file handling.
- In week ten, you’ll work on intermediate projects, and week eleven will cover object-oriented programming concepts.
- The final week will focus on error handling and advanced PHP concepts. By the end of the 12 weeks, you’ll have a strong foundation in PHP and be capable of building dynamic web applications.
PHP Cheat Sheet
The PHP Cheat Sheet is a quick and easy guide that shows the most important PHP concepts and code. It helps beginners and experienced developers find what they need fast without searching through long documents. Use it to write PHP code more quickly and easily. Keep it close while coding to make your work simpler!
Interview Questions
After completing all the sections of this tutorial, before heading to your interview, you can go through this section, which provides commonly asked PHP interview questions to test your knowledge and boost your confidence!
- PHP Interview Questions and Answers (2025)
Libraries and Frameworks
PHP libraries and frameworks play an essential role in modern web development. They offer built-in functions and tools that enhance the functionality of web applications, making them more dynamic and interactive. Libraries handle common tasks such as database interactions, email sending, and file management, which allows developers to focus on core application logic.
PHP vs Other Programming Languages
Below is a comparison of PHP with the other some top backend development libraries and frameworks:
| Feature | PHP | Python | NodeJS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Interpreted | Interpreted | Interpreted |
| Paradigm | Multi-paradigm (procedural, object-oriented) | Multi-paradigm (object-oriented, procedural, functional) | Event-driven, non-blocking I/O, single-threaded |
| Memory Management | Automatic (Garbage collection) | Automatic (Garbage collection) | Automatic (Garbage collection) |
| Syntax | Simple | Simple | Simple |
| Use Cases | Web development, server-side scripting, CMS, e-commerce platforms | Web development, data analysis, machine learning, and integratesautomation | Real-time applications, web development, APIs |
| Community Support | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| Performance | Moderate | Moderate | High (due to non-blocking I/O) |
| Concurrency | Synchronous (with blocking I/O) | Synchronous (with blocking I/O) | Asynchronous, event-driven |
| Notable Frameworks/Libraries | Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter, WordPress | Django, Flask | Express.js, NestJS, Koa.js |
List of Companies Using PHP
These are some popular companies that use PHP in their workflow:
| Company | Description |
|---|---|
| Facebook’s early versions and many back-end services were built using PHP. | |
| GeeksforGeeks | GeeksforGeeks is built using PHP. |
| Wikipedia | Wikipedia uses PHP for creating dynamic content and managing its vast database. |
| Slack | Slack uses PHP for its server-side backend development and user interaction. |
| Etsy | Etsy relies on PHP for its e-commerce platform, handling product listings and transactions. |
| Tumblr | Tumblr uses PHP to power its dynamic blog platform and content management. |
| Yahoo | Yahoo uses PHP for web services and its dynamic content generation. |
| Shopify | Shopify uses PHP for e-commerce back-end services and it with various platforms. |
| Mailchimp | Mailchimp uses PHP to manage its email marketing services and customer data. |
Career & Jobs in PHP
PHP offers a wide range of career opportunities, as it is one of the most popular server-side languages used in web development, particularly for building dynamic websites and applications. Here are some top career paths for PHP developers:
| Career | Average Salary (USD) Per Annum |
|---|---|
| PHP Developer | $60,000 – $110,000 |
| Front-End Developer | $65,000 – $120,000 |
| Full Stack Developer | $75,000 – $130,000 |
| Back-End Developer | $70,000 – $125,000 |
| Web Developer | $55,000 – $100,000 |
| Laravel Developer | $70,000 – $125,000 |
| Symfony Developer | $75,000 – $135,000 |
| WordPress Developer | $55,000 – $100,000 |
| PHP Software Engineer | $65,000 – $120,000 |