PHP Defined

PHP is a programming language that was once created for the production of dynamic web pages. It is considered as an open source solution (OSS) as mandated by the Free Software Foundation. The acronym PHP is actually a recursive intialism that means PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. Initially though, this software tool stood for the acronym Personal Home Page - because it was once designed as that: a personal home page tool.

Latest PHP release

The latest version is PHP 5.2.5 which was released last November 8, 2007. And among its additional functions, it serves as: better support for MYSQL AND MSSQL, data iterators (object that allows programmers to work through most elements of a collection, working as a cursor within the context of a database), embedded support for SQLite, exception handling for errors that changes the flow of various program executions; support for object-oriented programming, integrated SOAP support (Simple Object Access Protocol - for exchanging XML-based messages using HTTP / HTTPS), performance enhancements, and the addition of the PHP Data Objects extension (defines a lightweight and consistent interface for accessing databases).

Uses and Advantages of PHP

PHP is a widely-used, general-purpose scripting computer language. It is suited for web development, creating client-side / server-side coding, e-commerce business development, web content development, web design and web server configuration. In some cases, it can also be used in writing markup and coding for websites; and can be applied to the simplest single web page of plain text, to the most complex web-based electronic business applications, internet applications and even social network services.

This scripting language runs on a web server, taking PHP code as its input, and creating web pages as its output. It can also be used for other functions like command-line scripting and client-side GUI (graphical user interface) applications. PHP works as a filter: taking in inputs from a file containing texts and special PHP instructions, and then outputs another stream of data for display.

One of the most attractive characteristics of this computer language is that it can be "deployed" on most web-servers, and on almost every operating system and platform, free of charge.