What is PHP?

This tutorial assumes beginner knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

PHP is a widely used free and open-source language for creating servers. Recent surveys show that more than 16,000,000 Web sites use PHP as a server side scripting language.

Why, you ask? The short answer: it’s powerful, it’s easy to use, and it’s free. PHP can be used for the most demanding of applications, and delivers excellent performance even at high loads. Built-in database support means that you can begin creating data-driven applications immediately. The wide support means it is easy to host and find resources for.

If you already have a solid understanding of the language or are coming here after already attending the workshop feel free to skip ahead to the frequently asked questions and supplementary resources sections.