Different Ways to Write PHP Code

PHP, which stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, is a widely-used server-side scripting language designed for web development. Created by Rasmus Lerdorf, PHP is instrumental in building dynamic web applications and interactive websites. It plays a crucial role in bridging the front-end and back-end by connecting to databases.

Typically, to run a PHP program, you need a web browser. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Write Code in Notepad:
- Write your PHP code in a simple text editor like Notepad.
- Save the file with a .php extension. For instance, thefullstackcide.php.
Save the File in XAMPP Location:
- If XAMPP is installed on your local disk (C:), save the file in C:\xampp\htdocs.
Start XAMPP and Run Your Code:
- Open the XAMPP control panel.
- Start the Apache and MySQL servers.
- Open any web browser and type localhost/filename.php in the address bar.
- If your PHP file is in a subfolder within htdocs, use localhost/subfolder_name/filename.php.

Methods to Write PHP Code

PHP code can be written in three primary ways:

1. Without Any HTML Markups :

This method involves writing pure PHP code without embedding it in HTML.

				
					$a = 15; 
$b = 5; 
$c = $a * $b; 
echo "The product of a and b is " . $c;

Output :

				
					The product of a and b is 75

2. Embedding HTML Markups in PHP Code :

In this method, HTML elements are generated using PHP.

				
					<?php 
    echo "<html>"; 
    echo "<head><title>PHP Example</title></head>"; 
    echo "<body>";
    echo "<h1>Welcome to PHP Programming</h1>"; 
    echo "<p>This is a paragraph generated by PHP.</p>";
    echo "</body>"; 
    echo "</html>"; 
?>

Output :

				
					Welcome to PHP Programming
This is a paragraph generated by PHP.

3. Embedding PHP Code in HTML :

This is the most common method where PHP code is embedded within HTML.

				
					<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>PHP in HTML Example</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>My PHP Page</h1>
    <p>
        <?php  
            $greeting = "Hello, World!";
            echo $greeting;  
        ?>  
    </p>
</body> 
</html>

Output :

				
					My PHP Page
Hello, World!

Choosing the Most Proficient Method

Each method can be proficient depending on the task:

Front-End Development: If you are focusing solely on front-end pages, using pure HTML is sufficient.
Dynamic Web Pages: For dynamic web pages that interact with databases, embedding PHP in HTML is ideal.

Regardless of the method, you must save the file with a .php extension to ensure the server processes the PHP code. Using XAMPP as a server requires this convention to facilitate database interactions.

Conclusion :

In summary, there are multiple ways to write PHP code, each with its own use case. Whether you choose to write pure PHP, embed HTML in PHP, or embed PHP in HTML, all methods are efficient. Select the approach that best suits your current project requirements.

By following these guidelines and utilizing XAMPP, you can effectively develop and run PHP applications, ensuring seamless interaction between the front-end and back-end of your web projects.

Different Ways to Write PHP Code

Different Ways to Write PHP Code