What in the heck is PHP?!

**CimminyCricket** · 07-10-2007, 09:41 PM

What is PHP? I understand that it is a tool for web developing, but <i>what is it</i>? Where should I go to learn more about it?

**rubah** · 07-11-2007, 12:34 AM

it's uh, a tool for web developing?

It's a neat way to make your webserver do all the dirty work you don't want to, like call up different pages with one template, so you don't have to have the html layout on every single page, or to call up references in a database, like to display images or something.

**Lawr** · 07-11-2007, 12:39 AM

Like on eoff?

**rubah** · 07-11-2007, 01:21 AM

forums are a prime example of php usage. Don't let the .html added to the filenames fool you.

**Discord** · 07-11-2007, 01:35 AM

Pufff... not even close to aspx.

**CimminyCricket** · 07-11-2007, 03:25 AM

I realised that PHP was nice when I was looking over EoFF's front page and every file name had PHP at the end. Figured it would be a good idea to try and learn it.

**bipper** · 07-11-2007, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by Discord

Pufff... not even close to aspx.

I just killed a kitten because you said this. Happy now? As far as web languages goes, it works off the Zend engine, which is tidy and neat all in itself. It allows itself to be modularized into apache which allows for streamline internal calls making the engine that much more secure. As of last I checked, it was as safe as JSP (minus the head aches) and also had more functionality then the ASP libs (yes virginia) ASP aint worth mentioning as a stand alone language.

The downside to PHP is any idiot can get started on it, which can be a pro and con. IT is a lot like free speech.

I use it, recommend it, and love it.

oh yeah, to answer the question, it lets you use server side code to create dynamic pages. IE a page that saves information per user in a SERVER SIDE SESSION vs browser session (ie httpd) and so on. VERY handy for web programming. I have professionally come across all different uses for PHP, in different stand alone programs as well. It is a very well operated hybrid language, so it naturally makes for a good pluggable script. Especially after the OOP aspects are ironed out correctly. Look out python.

**CimminyCricket** · 07-11-2007, 05:54 AM

Wow, I don't know what half of that stuff is. I don't know how HTML and CSS work, I just use them, which means I really won't understand this...JSP and ASP. Now, where would the best place to go to learn how to effectively use PHP?

**rubah** · 07-11-2007, 07:02 AM

You'd probably be best to stick with html for now then 8) Unless you have a need for PHP, it's just overhead.

**CimminyCricket** · 07-11-2007, 07:22 AM

I don't, I just like learning new things.

**Baloki** · 07-11-2007, 12:12 PM

Best way to get started with PHP is to either learn a bit of C or try playing around with the smaller parts of the PHP protocol such as includes and such before you move onto the more difficult parts.

There are a few nice references out there which work well for beginngers

**bipper** · 07-11-2007, 01:03 PM

SitePoint : New Articles, Fresh Thinking for Web Developers and Designers

These fellas sell books, and give out free sample chapters. Study up off this site, and you will be rocking in no time. I give this site to people for starters, as the books provide the information in a simple, non-jargon infested manner. You will catch on fine.

I think I seen you live in the Minneapolis area or some such Cim, there is a rather large user group that meets up in St. Paul as a sort of forum. That would be over your head, but I am sure it would be worth your time. I can dig around and see what I can find for ya as far as classes and such goe.

**CimminyCricket** · 07-12-2007, 04:02 AM

Argh, I hate St. Paul. How are they about random kids showing up once and never coming back?

**o_O** · 07-12-2007, 12:37 PM

Here's why PHP is awesome. This is a simple select box:
Select your birthday: <select><option>January 1</option>
<option>January 2</option>
<option>January 3</option>
<option>January 4</option>
<option>January 5</option>
<option>January 6</option>
<option>January 7</option>
<option>January 8</option>
<option>January 9</option>
<option>January 10</option>
<option>January 11</option>
<option>January 12</option>
<option>January 13</option>
<option>January 14</option>
<option>January 15</option>
<option>January 16</option>
<option>January 17</option>
<option>January 18</option>
<option>January 19</option>
<option>January 20</option>
<option>January 21</option>
<option>January 22</option>
<option>January 23</option>
<option>January 24</option>
<option>January 25</option>
<option>January 26</option>
<option>January 27</option>
<option>January 28</option>
<option>January 29</option>
<option>January 30</option>
<option>January 31</option>
<option>February 1</option>
<option>February 2</option>
<option>February 3</option>
<option>February 4</option>
<option>February 5</option>
<option>February 6</option>
<option>February 7</option>
<option>February 8</option>
<option>February 9</option>
<option>February 10</option>
<option>February 11</option>
<option>February 12</option>
<option>February 13</option>
<option>February 14</option>
<option>February 15</option>
<option>February 16</option>
<option>February 17</option>
<option>February 18</option>
<option>February 19</option>
<option>February 20</option>
<option>February 21</option>
<option>February 22</option>
<option>February 23</option>
<option>February 24</option>
<option>February 25</option>
<option>February 26</option>
<option>February 27</option>
<option>February 28</option>
<option>March 1</option>
<option>March 2</option>
<option>March 3</option>
<option>March 4</option>
<option>March 5</option>
<option>March 6</option>
<option>March 7</option>
<option>March 8</option>
<option>March 9</option>
<option>March 10</option>
<option>March 11</option>
<option>March 12</option>
<option>March 13</option>
<option>March 14</option>
<option>March 15</option>
<option>March 16</option>
<option>March 17</option>
<option>March 18</option>
<option>March 19</option>
<option>March 20</option>
<option>March 21</option>
<option>March 22</option>
<option>March 23</option>
<option>March 24</option>
<option>March 25</option>
<option>March 26</option>
<option>March 27</option>
<option>March 28</option>
<option>March 29</option>
<option>March 30</option>
<option>March 31</option>
<option>April 1</option>
<option>April 2</option>
<option>April 3</option>
<option>April 4</option>
<option>April 5</option>
<option>April 6</option>
<option>April 7</option>
<option>April 8</option>
<option>April 9</option>
<option>April 10</option>
<option>April 11</option>
<option>April 12</option>
<option>April 13</option>
<option>April 14</option>
<option>April 15</option>
<option>April 16</option>
<option>April 17</option>
<option>April 18</option>
<option>April 19</option>
<option>April 20</option>
<option>April 21</option>
<option>April 22</option>
<option>April 23</option>
<option>April 24</option>
<option>April 25</option>
<option>April 26</option>
<option>April 27</option>
<option>April 28</option>
<option>April 29</option>
<option>April 30</option>
<option>May 1</option>
<option>May 2</option>
<option>May 3</option>
<option>May 4</option>
<option>May 5</option>
<option>May 6</option>
<option>May 7</option>
<option>May 8</option>
<option>May 9</option>
<option>May 10</option>
<option>May 11</option>
<option>May 12</option>
<option>May 13</option>
<option>May 14</option>
<option>May 15</option>
<option>May 16</option>
<option>May 17</option>
<option>May 18</option>
<option>May 19</option>
<option>May 20</option>
<option>May 21</option>
<option>May 22</option>
<option>May 23</option>
<option>May 24</option>
<option>May 25</option>
<option>May 26</option>
<option>May 27</option>
<option>May 28</option>
<option>May 29</option>
<option>May 30</option>
<option>May 31</option>
<option>June 1</option>
<option>June 2</option>
<option>June 3</option>
<option>June 4</option>
<option>June 5</option>
<option>June 6</option>
<option>June 7</option>
<option>June 8</option>
<option>June 9</option>
<option>June 10</option>
<option>June 11</option>
<option>June 12</option>
<option>June 13</option>
<option>June 14</option>
<option>June 15</option>
<option>June 16</option>
<option>June 17</option>
<option>June 18</option>
<option>June 19</option>
<option>June 20</option>
<option>June 21</option>
<option>June 22</option>
<option>June 23</option>
<option>June 24</option>
<option>June 25</option>
<option>June 26</option>
<option>June 27</option>
<option>June 28</option>
<option>June 29</option>
<option>June 30</option>
<option>July 1</option>
<option>July 2</option>
<option>July 3</option>
<option>July 4</option>
<option>July 5</option>
<option>July 6</option>
<option>July 7</option>
<option>July 8</option>
<option>July 9</option>
<option>July 10</option>
<option>July 11</option>
<option>July 12</option>
<option>July 13</option>
<option>July 14</option>
<option>July 15</option>
<option>July 16</option>
<option>July 17</option>
<option>July 18</option>
<option>July 19</option>
<option>July 20</option>
<option>July 21</option>
<option>July 22</option>
<option>July 23</option>
<option>July 24</option>
<option>July 25</option>
<option>July 26</option>
<option>July 27</option>
<option>July 28</option>
<option>July 29</option>
<option>July 30</option>
<option>July 31</option>
<option>August 1</option>
<option>August 2</option>
<option>August 3</option>
<option>August 4</option>
<option>August 5</option>
<option>August 6</option>
<option>August 7</option>
<option>August 8</option>
<option>August 9</option>
<option>August 10</option>
<option>August 11</option>
<option>August 12</option>
<option>August 13</option>
<option>August 14</option>
<option>August 15</option>
<option>August 16</option>
<option>August 17</option>
<option>August 18</option>
<option>August 19</option>
<option>August 20</option>
<option>August 21</option>
<option>August 22</option>
<option>August 23</option>
<option>August 24</option>
<option>August 25</option>
<option>August 26</option>
<option>August 27</option>
<option>August 28</option>
<option>August 29</option>
<option>August 30</option>
<option>August 31</option>
<option>September 1</option>
<option>September 2</option>
<option>September 3</option>
<option>September 4</option>
<option>September 5</option>
<option>September 6</option>
<option>September 7</option>
<option>September 8</option>
<option>September 9</option>
<option>September 10</option>
<option>September 11</option>
<option>September 12</option>
<option>September 13</option>
<option>September 14</option>
<option>September 15</option>
<option>September 16</option>
<option>September 17</option>
<option>September 18</option>
<option>September 19</option>
<option>September 20</option>
<option>September 21</option>
<option>September 22</option>
<option>September 23</option>
<option>September 24</option>
<option>September 25</option>
<option>September 26</option>
<option>September 27</option>
<option>September 28</option>
<option>September 29</option>
<option>September 30</option>
<option>October 1</option>
<option>October 2</option>
<option>October 3</option>
<option>October 4</option>
<option>October 5</option>
<option>October 6</option>
<option>October 7</option>
<option>October 8</option>
<option>October 9</option>
<option>October 10</option>
<option>October 11</option>
<option>October 12</option>
<option>October 13</option>
<option>October 14</option>
<option>October 15</option>
<option>October 16</option>
<option>October 17</option>
<option>October 18</option>
<option>October 19</option>
<option>October 20</option>
<option>October 21</option>
<option>October 22</option>
<option>October 23</option>
<option>October 24</option>
<option>October 25</option>
<option>October 26</option>
<option>October 27</option>
<option>October 28</option>
<option>October 29</option>
<option>October 30</option>
<option>October 31</option>
<option>November 1</option>
<option>November 2</option>
<option>November 3</option>
<option>November 4</option>
<option>November 5</option>
<option>November 6</option>
<option>November 7</option>
<option>November 8</option>
<option>November 9</option>
<option>November 10</option>
<option>November 11</option>
<option>November 12</option>
<option>November 13</option>
<option>November 14</option>
<option>November 15</option>
<option>November 16</option>
<option>November 17</option>
<option>November 18</option>
<option>November 19</option>
<option>November 20</option>
<option>November 21</option>
<option>November 22</option>
<option>November 23</option>
<option>November 24</option>
<option>November 25</option>
<option>November 26</option>
<option>November 27</option>
<option>November 28</option>
<option>November 29</option>
<option>November 30</option>
<option>December 1</option>
<option>December 2</option>
<option>December 3</option>
<option>December 4</option>
<option>December 5</option>
<option>December 6</option>
<option>December 7</option>
<option>December 8</option>
<option>December 9</option>
<option>December 10</option>
<option>December 11</option>
<option>December 12</option>
<option>December 13</option>
<option>December 14</option>
<option>December 15</option>
<option>December 16</option>
<option>December 17</option>
<option>December 18</option>
<option>December 19</option>
<option>December 20</option>
<option>December 21</option>
<option>December 22</option>
<option>December 23</option>
<option>December 24</option>
<option>December 25</option>
<option>December 26</option>
<option>December 27</option>
<option>December 28</option>
<option>December 29</option>
<option>December 30</option>
<option>December 31</option>
</select>
It has a lot of options. To generate it with HTML, you'd need the following code:
<div style="font-size:8pt;">

Code:

Select your birthday: &lt;select&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;January 31&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;February 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;March 31&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;April 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;May 31&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;June 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;July 31&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;August 31&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;September 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;October 31&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;November 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 1&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 2&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 3&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 4&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 5&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 6&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 7&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 8&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 9&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 10&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 11&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 12&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 13&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 14&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 15&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 16&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 17&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 18&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 19&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 20&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 21&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 22&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 23&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 24&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 25&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 26&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 27&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 28&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 29&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 30&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;option&gt;December 31&lt;/option&gt;
&lt;/select&gt;

</div>
However, to do the same thing in PHP, all you need is the following code:
<div style="font-size:8pt;">

Code:

&lt;?php
	$months = array(1=>"January", 2=>"February", 3=>"March", 4=>"April", 5=>"May", 6=>"June", 7=>"July", 8=>"August", 9=>"September", 10=>"October", 11=>"November", 12=>"December");
	$days = array(31, 28, 31, 30, 31, 30, 31, 31, 30, 31, 30, 31);
	echo "Select your birthday: &lt;select&gt;";
	for ($i=1; $i<13; $i++)
		for ($j=1; $j<=$days[$i-1]; $j++)
			echo "&lt;option&gt;".$months[$i]." ".$j."&lt;/option&gt;";
	echo "&lt;/select&gt;";
?&gt;

</div>
PHP is an extremely versatile language. It's mostly used for embedding in HTML code, but it works perfectly well on its own as well. For example, a while ago I wrote an IRC bot in PHP, which was more than capable of holding a conversation over IRC.

ASP fails by default because it's a Microsoft invention (not to mention that it's a terrible language).

JSP fails because even though it's a secure language (and part of Java, my main language) maintenance and development is too picky and awkward. For example, JSP servers load all servlets at initialisation, so if you change the code in a compiled servlet you need to restart the server.

**CimminyCricket** · 07-12-2007, 04:43 PM

That...is...freaking....amazing!! xD

Thread: What in the heck is PHP?!

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Gah?! What in the heck is PHP?!

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