BONUS CHAPTER 47

Using PHP

IN THIS CHAPTER

Introduction    to  PHP

Basic   Functions

Handling    HTML    Forms

Databases

References

This chapter introduces you to the world of PHP programming, from the

point of view of using it as a web scripting language and as a command-line
tool. PHP originally stood for Personal Home Page because it was a
collection of Perl scripts designed to ease the creation of guest books,
message boards, and other interactive scripts commonly found on home
pages. However, since those early days, it has received major updates and
revisions.

Part of the success of PHP has been its powerful integration with databases;
its earliest uses nearly always took advantage of a database back end.

NOTE

Many    packages    for PHP are available   from    the Ubuntu  repositories.   The

basic   package you want    to  install is  just    called  php,    and installing  it  brings

in  other   packages    as  dependencies.

Introduction to PHP

In terms of the way it looks, PHP is a cross between Java and Perl, a
successful merger of the best aspects of both into one language. The Java
parts include a powerful object-orientation system, the capability to throw
program exceptions, and the general style of writing that both languages