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1.1 What Is PHP?

PHP is a popular computer programming language with the following major features:

Easy to Learn and Use

PHP draws its syntax from other well known languages such as C, Java and Perl

General Purpose

PHP is suitable for a wide range of projects including online web applications, desktop GUI applications, interactive console programs, server side scripting, and stand alone web applications (distributed on a CD).

Ideal for Web Applications

PHP can be embedded in HTML and includes support for interfacing with multiple Web Servers and Databases

Support

The popularity of PHP ensures the availability of a great deal of documentation, instructional articles and a helpful development community

Language Features

Dynamically Typed

Variable types (string, int, array, etc) do not have to be declared before use and any variable can hold any type

Automatic Memory Management

Memory will automatically be allocated as needed and freed when no longer in use

Extensive Runtime API

PHP includes an extensive runtime library for working with strings, arrays, files, math, networks, and databases to name a few.

Multiple Programming Styles

Supports both the Object Oriented and Procedural programming paradigms