PHP is a server-side scripting language designed for web development. Created by Rasmus Lerdorf, it became the dominant language for dynamic websites, powering platforms like WordPress, Facebook, and Wikipedia.
Origins
Lerdorf created PHP in 1994 as “Personal Home Page Tools” to track visits to his online resume. What began as simple C programs evolved into a full programming language that could be embedded in HTML.
Key Features
PHP’s design prioritized web development:
- HTML embedding: Code mixed directly with HTML
- Low barrier to entry: Easy for beginners to start
- Shared hosting support: Runs on virtually any web host
- Database integration: Easy MySQL/PostgreSQL connectivity
- Large standard library: Built-in functions for common tasks
Evolution
PHP evolved significantly:
- PHP 4: Introduced Zend Engine, improved performance
- PHP 5: Real object-oriented programming, PDO
- PHP 7: Massive performance improvements, type hints
- PHP 8: JIT compilation, attributes, union types
Impact
PHP shaped the web:
- Powers approximately 78% of websites with known server-side languages
- WordPress, built on PHP, runs over 40% of all websites
- Facebook (now Meta) was built on PHP
- Democratized web development for millions of developers