# Introduction to PHP Updated on Dec 22, 2021 by [Alan Morel](/content/alanmorel/index.html) ## Table of Contents 1. [Prerequisites](/content/classes/php/introduction#prerequisites/index.html) 2. [Selecting a Text Editor](/content/classes/php/introduction#selecting-a-text-editor/index.html) 3. [Hello World](/content/classes/php/introduction#hello-world/index.html) [PHP](/content/classes/php/index.html) is the most popular and widely-used server-side scripting language and powers million of websites on the internet. The chances are really high that many of your favorite websites use PHP. PHP is used on the server to create interactive and dynamic websites as opposed to static never-changing pages. PHP scripts are executed on the server and returns to the user the [HTML](/content/classes/html/index.html), CSS, and JavaScript that our browsers need to render a page. Because of this, the browser never actually comes in contact with or understands PHP at all. When you access a PHP-powered website, the URL you request will trigger the server to execute one or many `.php` files. These PHP files will ultimately generate HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, depending on the PHP code logic. The logo for the PHP language. In this **Diving into PHP** class, learn everything from the syntax for PHP, handling form data, sending emails, using cookies, making database calls, and much more. But first, make sure you meet the prerequisites for this class. ## Prerequisites - Intermediate knowledge of HTML. Luckily for you, we have a [great class](/content/classes/html/index.html) on that - An environment to run PHP. This can be Internet Information Services (IIS), Apache, or your own web server With that being said, let's dive into PHP! ## Selecting a Text Editor Since PHP is ultimately just plain text, you can use any text editor you want for this class. With that being said, we suggest using [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/). It will support the operating system you're running on, and its syntax highlighting makes writing PHP fun! Of course, feel free to use whatever text editor you might already be using. Visual Studio Code ## Hello World The easiest way to get started with PHP is to just do a `Hello World` example. Create a new file called `index.php`. The `.php` file extension lets the server know that this is a PHP file and that it should run any code that happens to be in the file. Inside the file, and enter this: ```php Diving into PHP ``` Save the file and access it in your browser. As you might expect, you get an otherwise blank page with the text `Hello World` in it. If you were able to see: Hello World in PHP You have everything you need to continue on with this class on PHP! That feeling when you're ready to start learning PHP