PHP and MySQL

What is PHP

PHP is a scripting language that is often embedded into HTML to add functions HTML alone can't do. PHP allows you to collect, process and utilize data to create a desired output. In short, it let's you interact with your pages.

PHP is able to preform a number of tasks including printing data, making numeric calculations (such as addition or multiplication), making comparisons (which is bigger, are they equal, etc) and making simple boolean choices. From this you can create more complex loops and functions to make your page generate more specialized data.

What is MySQL

MySQL is a relational database system that is used to store information. MySQL can store many types of data from something as tiny as a single character to as large as complete files or graphics. Although it can be accessed by most programing languages, it is often coupled with PHP because they work together with ease.

Information stored in a MySQL database hosted on a web server can be accessed from anywhere in the world with a computer. This makes it a good way to store information that needs the ability to change over time, but also needs to be accessed over the net. Some examples that can utilize MySQL are a web message board or a customer's shipping status.

Why use PHP and MySQL?

PHP and MySQL combine to be an easy yet powerful way to create dynamic web pages that actually interact with your visitors. HTML can create useful and well formatted web pages. With the addition of PHP and MySQL you can collect data from your users, create specific content on the fly, and do many other things that HTML alone can't do.

The beauty of PHP as a language is that it is designed to be used along with HTML. You can use PHP right inside your already existing HTML content, or put HTML tags right inside your PHP coding. When learning PHP you are not making your existing HTML knowledge obsolete, you are instead adding to it to give it more functions and abilities.

How do PHP and MySQL work together?

PHP and MySQL complement each other to do with neither can do alone. PHP can collect data, and MySQL can in turn store the information. PHP can create dynamic calculations, and MySQL can provide it with the variables it uses. PHP can create a shopping cart for your web store, but MySQL can then keep the data in a format PHP can use to create receipts on demand, show current order status, or even suggest other related products.

Although PHP and MySQL can each be used independently, when you put them together it opens up countless possibilities for your site. As the internet progresses, it becomes more and more necessary to deliver dynamic content to keep up with the demands of web surfers and their desire to have information instantly delivered to them online. By learning to use PHP and MySQL you can deliver this information to them on demand.