Basic PHP

Everything you can do with server-side includes you can also do with PHP...but with PHP you can do it better!

PHP is a programming language that you embed in your HTML pages, but which is processed on the server side (just like a server-side include). It can be used for a wide variety of things, including processing of form data, inclusion of files, and more.

The web programming class (539/739) covers PHP in great detail, including using PHP to access databases. Today we'll cover just the basics of PHP.

Readings for Basic PHP

• PHP Tutorial from Hudson Valley Community College
• PHP Basic Syntax (from Builder.com)
• Webmonkye's PHP From the Ground Up (PHP3 compatible)

Using .php Extensions on Grace

AddType application/x-httpd-php3 .php

Sample Practical

The practical exam will require you to create a web page much like this one:

View Screen Shot

The page will need to be placed in a protected directory; I will provide you with the user ID and password to be used.