PHP Programming Tips

PHP, as well as other programming languages, have the ability to interact directly with the HTTP Headers.

The HTTP Headers are a separate part of the request/response body. This separation is typically a blank line. The headers provide various information. This is the place where the information type is defined (text/plain). The headers can also contain many other data points, such as the language, charset, encoding, cache-control, content length and more.

The important thing to remember is that the header is sent separately from the request or the response body. The body contains the actual data.

This is important because there will be times when you need to perform a certain action that requires the user be ‘redirected’ to another web page, or even another web site. Before all the body information is passed along through HTTP. This will save bandwidth and make your application faster.

A header redirect is common when a user does not have the privileges for a certain section of a website. As an example think of your online banking account. You must be logged in before you can see your own account information. If you try to see your data without being logged in, the web server will redirected you to the login page.

In PHP you can interact directly with the headers of HTTP. If you find that a user does not have the right credentials in a session store ($_SESSION), then that user can be redirected to another page.

This is done with the PHP header() function.

Line 1:

In line 2 above, the session information is checked to see if a session array key ‘user_credential’ exists, and is not already equal to ‘admin’. If the session key doesn’t equal admin, the header function is called and the page is redirected to the login.php page. This ensures that the user won’t be able to see critical information with permission.

Note: The session key is set when the user logs in correctly after submitting the login form. It will be empty if they have not logged in yet.

PHP headers are a very quick and efficient way to change the flow of a program. They are typically called when a users doesn’t have the correct credentials or privileges.

Website development needs to incorporate a suitable Programming Language like PHP for the excellent boost that it gives to performance. PHP is one of the most useful scripting languages regularly used in top operating systems like Linux, UNIX and Windows. PHP gives the multiple benefits of object oriented programming (OOPs), command line interface and desktop applications – some of the essential features that website developers look for in a scripting language. Website development also needs to widen the choice of programmers as much as possible. Here also PHP scores a point as the most compatible language for an array of databases such as Oracle, SQL, My SQL and ODBC. It is also available for embedding HTML coding which fulfills the requirements of dynamic website development. PHP has become an essential tool for most developers and designers who prefer it chiefly because of its flexibility and usefulness.

Another important feature of PHP is that it is suitable for big ventures like customizing CRM solutions, community sites, chatting forums and E-Commerce portals. No other programming language seems as affordable and easily controllable as PHP when it comes to ambitious website development with a well defined business goal.

To enlist a few uses of PHP that are integral parts of web development, we have to mention the following- creation of HTML web forms, compatibility with databases, monitoring of sessions and cookies to track visitors to a site, provision for up-to-date file management , creation of XML for E-Commerce sites

There are some points to be noted while using PHP as a programming language-

o PHP gives the fullest opportunity to monitor a website including access to files, password and Ethernet connections. It makes the idea of participatory business model successful in the web arena.
o HTML can be displayed through this system with the option of editing web form that may seem to be essential in course of time.
o PHP gives swift access to database through an inbuilt checking system and provides essential link.

Use of PHP ensures security for content and application which are monitored by the server rather than any other system. This also places the procurement of contents and applications on the fast track and minimizes difficulties faced by the users due to browser problems.

Website development is a fine tuned process where the recommended features of a website have to be incorporated as accurately as possible. PHP expands the horizons for programmers and developers and helps them build websites according to demand.

Several programming languages are used for web designing, but the two most effective and extensively used web programming languages are .Net framework and PHP. It is a bit difficult task to judge and compare the effectiveness for both.

Both of them are of equal importance in terms of swapping information and contacting with different databases. asp.net is an extension of .NET which was manufactured by Microsoft and stands for using on internet application. On the contrary, PHP which stands for Hypertext Pre Processor is used in operating systems such as UNIX and LINUX. Some dissimilarities of PHP and ASP are given below.

Development and designing Cost

Php is an open source which is free to download from internet, it have the largest free module to be download and plug in to use freely which was coding and modified by million of programmer which using Php. The case is totally different as for as asp.net, you will need a series Microsoft product such as windows for operation system, visual studio or dreamweaver for programing, make is costly which compare to writing in Php language.

Application Performance

Php is an interpreted language, meaning it run directly from the code which you writing every time. In other hand, asp.Net is an optimized and compiled language, you may compiled it before upload to productivity. It is commonly accepted and proved many times over that compiled application generally load faster than interpreted ones because interpreted application must be reduced to machine instructions at runtime.

Application Environment

Php application well run on kind of platforms such as Linux, Unix, Windows, Apache as compare to asp.net in default, is only able to run on a window server.

Multiple language support

Php has been made is C++. Most of the computer programmers rely on this programming language and they consider it to be the best ever programming language. Being an extensive of .NET, asp.net capable support various language in a platform such as visual basic.net, cSharp, C++, jSharp and etc. It effective enable different language programmers easily to develop an application together without the gaps.

Database Connectivity

Php language in default is using mySQL as database back end which is also an open source and is free to download; As for asp.net language the default database back end is msSQL, which is not free. But both of them also can be modify the database connection to run on each other default database, also can be modify to run with Microsoft access, oracle and etc.

Conclusion

Wherever developing or designing with asp.net or php is fine, there numbering of websites and amazing applications are written in it by much more experienced coders than myself. That said, you should not choose the language base on speed, as development preference is much more important; use php if you feel it is a superior language.

PHP frameworks offer solid extensible architecture, with features that make source code programming easier by providing standard templates, components and plug-ins. Most of these PHP frameworks are supported by corporate or open source communities who offers solid Web development support. CakePHP, Code Igniter and Zend are some of the most popular PHP frameworks, with both advantages and disadvantages depending on your PHP requirements.

Advanced PHP programmers need more than basic source code for Web development projects. PHP frameworks offer convenient short cuts to improve efficiency, functionality, processing power and speed. Choose amongst different PHP frameworks tailored to satisfy specific coding needs.

CakePHP specializes in providing a strict, standardized extensible architecture for rapid application development using common design patterns for Model-View-Controller (MVC) and Object-Relational Mapping (ORM). CakePHP is best for novices to MVC who want a solid foundation for PHP coding.

There is a steep learning curve for CakePHP coding conventions, but many claim it is well worth it. CakePHP also has slower processing power measured in requests per second, compared to Code Igniter and Zend.

CakePHP supports MVC, multiple databases, ORM, database objects, caching, validation, Ajax and user authentication. CakePHP uses access control security. A strong open source community provides feedback, as well as, many useful components and plug-ins.

Code Igniter (CI) offers better immediate usage and common tools that are well-documented. Key advantages include compatibility, easy configuration and flexibility in coding rules.

CI supports MVC, multiple databases, database objects, templates, caching, validation and other modules. Code Igniter uses more traditional coding conventions. In tests measuring requests per second, the Code Igniter was considerably faster than either CakePHP or Zend for a series of measurements.

One disadvantage for CI is the need to write PHP source code for the creation of a “session class” for security purposes.

The Zend Framework (ZF) permits the growth of PHP programming with features such as pre-packaged applications, assistance in reducing defects and solutions tailored for different platforms (i.e. IBM, Linux and Windows). Zend also helps with cloud computing.

Web developers don’t need to reinvent the wheel; be wise and reuse common PHP source code tools. Zend offers added flexibility in PHP source code writing. Zend supports MVC, multiple databases, database objects, caching, validation and other modules. It is feature rich and has better support due to corporate backing. Zend security is access control based. Zend was in the middle between CakePHP and Code Igniter in processing speed tests for requests per second.

Don’t waste time creating PHP tools that already exist. Depending on your projects needs, there is a good PHP framework (CakePHP, Code Igniter or Zend Framework) that suits your purposes.

Linux is an operating system which is compatible with PHP (programming language). It has a good security record and has a stable operating solution to secure your customers. Linux hi Speed Servers can carry unlimited domains with huge features and the most popular cPanel. If you are looking for PHP / My SQL then this is the best choice for you as you are targeting the quality in business, it is very dedicated service.

When a web hosting company provides you with a Linux hosting system solution, it means that the site will be hosted on a platform. This operating system has the advantage of handling more processes at the same time. It is an open source, in other words, it is available for free worldwide means it is cheaper compared to other types of webhosting plus flexible and can convert your Linux web page into a windows page without hassle. There are highly optimized and variety of databases and the common types based websites are MySQL, PostgreSQL and mSQL. The system provides you with a cPanel that helps you edit your webpage easily as have an intuitive user interface. The platforms do not crash frequently. Another important feature is that we can run any application on it which gives you an extra space to run PHP or MySQL based websites as well as to run html, jsp, perl or cgi-bin applications, these are found on the same server and are also operated with the same cPanel.

When you have a Linux reseller, you do not have to create multi accounts to keep a track of different clients. Since there are many different user panels that are very important to create multi accounts but in reality it is not the case, it is very easy to keep a track of the clients and save a lot of time.

To conclude, most webmasters prefer to have this servers for their website. Linux-based servers are reputed to have a very hi uptime rate. High uptime maintenance of 99.9%, the website hosting is popular and widely used web hosting in recent years. It would be considered VIP when it comes to reliability beside the quality hosting at cheap prices. In order to meet to the needs of your reseller, many providers have opted for Linux Reselling Hosting.

Finally, I recommend Linux web hosting just because it is common. You do not need to be expert to use graphic administration panels. So if you are starting your first site, or if you have an idea for your hundred website, use a reliable, cheap Linux Reseller hosting and you will be satisfied

Believe it or not, but there is PHP programming code that will not work on every installation. This is often a big problem for the developer. Code that is working correctly on the developers computer, and on the web server, may not work on other web servers.

The start and end tags are the culprit. The following tags are most widely used when developing code. These are available with a default installation of PHP.

Line 1:

Line 1 is the start tag. It tells the PHP interpreter to start processing the program. Line 2, is the end tag, it tells the interpreter to stop processing the program. There are 2 other tags to be aware of. These are not enabled by default. They require you to change the settings in the php.ini file

Note: php.ini is a text file that holds the configuration settings for the PHP engine. Once these are changed, the web server must be restarted for the changes to be accepted.

Short Tags:


These are enabled with the ‘short_open_tag’ directive found in the php.ini file.

ASP Tags:


These are enabled with the ‘asp_tags’ directive found in the php.ini file.

Why would you choose one of the over?

A good developer is always looking for ways to save time. One tactic is to write less code. Beginners do not always know how to write less, like the more advanced developers. Advanced developers use shortcuts wherever they can.

One thing they do to reduce the amount of words in the program by typing:



Even though it is only three characters less (p-h-p). Not typing 3 characters adds up over time.

This is not a good idea. In the short term it may work. But a good developer must always be thinking about the future. How will the code grow, where will it end up.

As a website matures, so does the programming code. As a site gets larger, it is ofter moved to a new web server. The problem is that all web servers are not setup the same way. If short tags are enabled in the beginning. They may not be enabled on the next web server. Do you see the problem.

Bottom Line: Use the universally accepted PHP tags to ensure the success of your web programming project

PHP programming has become an ostensibly powerful programming technique for e commerce websites. There is ever growing demand of PHP programmers worldwide so as to carve powerful and integrated business interface over the web. Many PHP development companies are offering dedicated PHP programmers, who are adept in playing with new generation web enabled technologies. These high end technologies provide you with instant ecommerce and ebusiness solutions. The refined PHP services are known for its quality and seamless integration.

PHP Development is an integral part of almost every ecommerce and ebusiness enabled website in the present scenario. The dedicated team of PHP programmers working onsite or offsite work in tandem with the clients individual requirements. It is because taking interest in learning about the demands of client’s business, and providing them with pro business solutions is what truly describes the potential of a dedicated PHP programmer.

The skilled PHP programming and PHP development professionals pay attention to your individual web design needs, and this further adds a touch of personalization and authenticity to your business motives. Hiring a dedicated programmer helps in paying the attention to your individual web design needs, and this further adds a touch of personalization and authenticity to your business motives.

The term dedicated programmer is not a common name resounded these days. The new genre of web programmers are however fast catching the market, and it is very clear that in times to come, dedicated PHP programmers would be high in demand, and would be hired by individual companies for smooth and fast completion of the process.

Dedicated PHP programmer not only works dedicatedly towards completion of your projects, but also provides customized PHP development solutions. Moreover, the genre of PHP programmers are adept in designing intuitive website home pages and landing pages that gel with the business needs and are high in demand over the web.

As a beginning student of PHP, you must understand 3 important fundamentals. Your lesson will begin with three definitions.

- scripting language

- start/end tags

- interpreter

A scripting language is the way a programming language was created to read and process your programming code. A scripting language like PHP uses start and end tags to start and end this process. These tags tell the built in interpreter that PHP programming code is between these tags. Line 1 and line 3 below are the PHP Start/End tags.

Example 1

[Line 1]

The PHP Interpreter is the built in part of the programming language that reads and processes the code that you write. The code that you write is your program. In the example above, the Interpreter reads line 2. Line 2 is a comment, a way to place information inside your PHP program so you can remember it.

PHP is an interpreted language, which simply means the processing of your program is done on the fly. As your programming code is read by the interpreter, it is processed in that very moment — line by line.

[note]
Java, on the other hand, is a compiled programming language. It has a built in compiler. Java is the opposite of PHP, and the ‘in the moment processing’. The built in compiler processes (reads) your code and creates a compiled copy before it can be used.

PHP is a scripting language. The code you write is processed in the moment. This processing begins when the built in interpreter finds a PHP start tag. It then reads and processes your programming code. This continues, line by line, until the interpreter finds the matching PHP end tag.

The interpreter is the ‘processing engine’ of PHP. It runs behind the scenes reading in your PHP programming code, processing the instructions that you wrote, and then performing the actions you commanded it to do. This process is automatic. To start and stop the Interpreter (processing engine), you must use scripting tags.

There are two main PHP Scripting Tags. One is the the PHP start tag, the other is the PHP end tag. Start and End tags tell PHP to start ‘processing’ your page

For example, using PHP to output your favorite color to the screen, you would type:

Example 2
[Line 1]

Line 1 and line 3 are the start and end tags. These tags tell the interpreter to start interpreting (reading and processing) the PHP commands contained within them. In this case the Interpreter reads the line 2:

echo ‘My favorite color is blue’;

The built in command ‘echo’ tells the processing engine to output to the screen whatever follows it. In the example above. The output to the screen would be:

My favorite color is blue

EASY PHP PROGRAMMING STEPS:
Step 1. Start the processing by writing the start tag as shown on line 1.

Step 2. Place your PHP commands next. Do not forget to end all your commands with a semicolon.

Step 3. End the processing with the end tag as shown on line 3.

Step 4. Save your program file with a ‘.php’ extension (i.e. getTheDate.php)

Conclusion
PHP is a scripting language. It has a built in interpreter. A scripting language uses start and end tags to call the interpreter. An interpreter reads and processes your programming code. Your PHP program can be one line or thousands of lines. But it starts and ends the same way every time — with a PHP start tag and PHP end tag.

PHP uses special variables called super globals to provide information about the PHP script’s environment. These variables don’t need to be declared as global. They are automatically available, and they provide important information beyond the script’s code itself, such as values from a user’s input.

Since PHP 4.01, the super globals are defined in arrays. Arrays are special collections of values. The older super global variables such as those starting with $HTTP_* that were not in arrays still exist, but their use is not recommended, as they are deprecated.

Variable Array Name

Contents
$GLOBALS Contains any global variables that are accessible for the local script. The variable names are used to select which part of the array to access.
$_SERVER Contains information about the web server environment.
$_GET Contains information from GET requests (a form submission). These values should be checked before use.
$_POST Contains information from POST requests (another type of form submission). These values should be checked before use.
$_COOKIE Contains information from HTTP cookies.
$_FILES Contains information from POST file uploads
$_ENV Contains information about the scripts environment
$_REQUEST Contains information from user inputs. These values should be checked before use. $_GET or $_POST should be used instead of $_REQUEST as they are more specific.
$_SESSION Contains information from any variables registered in a session.

Super global variables are used for many PHP web scripts and services. If you are planning on creating a web site based on a PHP script, or are writing your own PHP script, this is a must know.

Advanced programmers know a secret. The secret that they know relates to how a PHP program is constructed.

Here is the secret:

“Complex programs are built up from simple programs. If you can learn how to create a simple program, you can learn how to build a complex program, no matter how complicated.”

A program can be constructed of only a few lines. They always start the same way. Start with the PHP start tag, followed by your programming code, and last by the PHP end tag.

Example 1: Line 1:

The PHP program shown above has only 3 lines. Line 1 & 3 are the start and end tags, line 2 is your functional code. In this case however, line 2 is a comment and will not perform any specific action other than to remind you of something. Comments are not processed by the interpreter. Once a comment is encountered, it is basically ignored.

Example 2: Line 1:

The code in example 1 behaves exactly as the code in example 2. Even though example 2 has 2 more lines. If you noticed, the additional lines in example 2 are only comments. Once again they are ignored by the PHP interpreter (PHP Engine).

If there is one comment or multiple comments, the interpreter will act the same way. It will ignore any comments that it finds.

Example 3: Line 1:

In example 3 you will see your first functioning PHP program. The ‘echo’ command was added to this program, located on line 3. An ‘echo’ statement is a built in PHP command that will output whatever follows it to the screen. Anytime you want to output something using PHP to the screen, web browser, or visual display. Use the simple ‘echo’ command.

As you can see, the words ‘My First Real Program’ follows the ‘echo’ command. It is very important to enclose the words that you want ‘echoed’ on the screen inside single or double quotes. This way the echo command knows from what character to start with, and
what character to end with, as it generates the output to the screen.

When the echo command is called, it takes the contents inside the quotes, and sends it out to the screen – minus the quotes. So the output would be:

My First Real Program

Example 4: Line 1:

The output to this program would be:

You are learning how to program in PHP.

When you start programming, there is no limit to how many comments and commands you can enter in your program. Go ahead, try it yourself. As you get better you won’t need so many comments to remind you of what you are doing in your program.

Complex programs are made up of simple programs. Learning how to mix simple commands together, along with PHP start and end tags makes a fully functioning PHP program. As you are learning, a good suggestion is to add as many comments as you need to help remember what you are doing. Comments are like taking notes that you can refer back to. As you get better at programming, you will naturally enter less comments. The PHP ‘echo’ command outputs characters to the screen. Enclose all characters after an ‘echo’ command with single or double quotes.

Congratulations, you just wrote your first PHP program.