PHP Development | Tutorial 1 | PHP Basics for Web Developers

by christopher | Sep 23, 2025 | PHP Development, Web App Development | 0 comments

When you step into the world of web development, one of the first programming languages you’ll encounter is PHP. Short for Hypertext Preprocessor, PHP is a server-side scripting language widely used to build dynamic websites and web applications. Despite being around for more than two decades, PHP continues to evolve, powering millions of websites—including platforms like WordPress, Facebook (in its early days), and Wikipedia. For beginners in web app and API development, learning PHP basics for web development lays the groundwork for mastering modern frameworks like Laravel.

What is PHP?

PHP is a scripting language that runs on the server. It works seamlessly with HTML and databases (especially MySQL) to generate dynamic content. For example, when you log into a web app, PHP is responsible for verifying your credentials, pulling your data from the database, and displaying it in the browser.

Unlike static HTML, PHP makes websites interactive, data-driven, and smart.

Why Learn PHP in 2025?

Many beginners wonder if PHP is still worth learning. The answer is a strong yes. PHP powers over 75% of websites today. With PHP 8+, it has become faster, more secure, and developer-friendly. Combined with frameworks like Laravel, PHP continues to be a go-to choice for startups and enterprises building APIs, SaaS platforms, or e-commerce applications.

Advantages of PHP for Web Development

Beginner Friendly: Easy syntax, quick to learn.
Wide Adoption: Supported by most hosting providers and cloud platforms.
Database Integration: Works smoothly with MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB.
Rich Ecosystem: Large community, libraries, and frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter.
Cost Effective: Most PHP tools and frameworks are open-source.

Basic PHP Example

Here’s a simple example that shows how PHP works inside HTML:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>My First PHP Page</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Welcome to PHP!</h1>
    <?php
        $name = "Karthick";
        echo "Hello, " . $name . "! Today is " . date("l");
    ?>
</body>
</html>

👉 When run on a PHP server, this script prints:
Hello, Karthick! Today is Monday (or the current day).

Common Beginner Pitfalls in PHP

Forgetting the tags <?php ?> → Code won’t execute.
Mixing HTML and PHP carelessly → Hard-to-read files.
Not sanitizing input → Opens doors to SQL Injection or XSS.
Ignoring error reporting → Beginners often miss helpful error logs.

Sample Interview Questions & Answers

Q: What is PHP and how is it different from JavaScript?

A: PHP runs on the server before the page is sent to the browser, while JavaScript typically runs on the client-side in the browser.

Q: What are the main features of PHP?

A: Open-source, cross-platform, supports multiple databases, OOP, error handling, and frameworks like Laravel.

Q: How does PHP connect with databases?

A: Using extensions like mysqli or PDO.

Example:

$pdo = new PDO("mysql:host=localhost;dbname=test", "root", "password");

Q: Explain the difference between GET and POST methods in PHP.

A: GET appends data to the URL (less secure, limited length). POST sends data in the request body (more secure, no size limit).

Q: Is PHP a statically typed or dynamically typed language?

A: PHP is dynamically typed—you don’t need to declare variable types explicitly.

Closing Note

PHP is more than just a beginner’s language—it’s the backbone of countless web apps worldwide. By learning PHP fundamentals, you build the foundation for mastering Laravel, one of the most powerful frameworks in the PHP ecosystem.