PHP
Definition
A server-side programming language that powers websites like WordPress. It processes data, connects to databases, and generates dynamic web pages.
What is PHP?
PHP is a server-side programming language designed for web development. Unlike JavaScript which runs in the browser, PHP runs on the web server – processing data, connecting to databases, and generating HTML pages before sending them to visitors.
PHP powers approximately 77% of all websites with known server-side languages, including WordPress, which runs 43% of all websites. If you have a WordPress site, it's running on PHP.
How PHP Works
When someone visits a PHP-powered website:
- Browser requests the page from the server
- Server runs the PHP code
- PHP fetches data from databases if needed
- PHP generates HTML
- Server sends HTML to the browser
- Browser displays the page
The visitor never sees the PHP code – only the finished HTML result.
What PHP Powers
Content Management Systems
- WordPress – the world's most popular CMS
- Drupal – enterprise-level CMS
- Joomla – another popular open-source CMS
E-commerce
- WooCommerce – WordPress e-commerce plugin
- Magento – large-scale e-commerce platform
Web Applications
- Facebook (originally built entirely in PHP)
- Wikipedia
- Slack
Why PHP Matters for Business
If you're using WordPress, understanding PHP helps when:
- Customising themes beyond basic options
- Troubleshooting plugin conflicts
- Building custom functionality
- Optimising site performance
PHP development costs are typically lower than other languages because of the large developer community and abundant resources.