University of Rhode Island

Web Publishing Help

What is PHP?

PHP (recursive acronym for "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor") is a widely-used Open Source general-purpose Web-based scripting language similar to ASP or JSP. It is known for its speed and ease of use.

PHP scripts, which are embedded in HTML, are run on the server side and can be used for Web development and a variety of Web site features, including visitor counters, guest books, surveys, and more.

Can I use PHP on www.uri.edu ?

Sure! The Web server, www.uri.edu is running PHP 4.2.3. A HTML page that includes a PHP script is typically given a file name suffix of ".php".

Testing For PHP

There is a simple test for PHP. Open a text editor and type in the following:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

and save it as phpinfo.php. (For your convenience, the file is already available at http://www.uri.edu/phpinfo.php.)

Now upload this to your Web space and retrieve it in your browser. You will see a huge page with detailed PHP installation information on it. If you scroll down the page, you will also find a section about MySQL. The Office of Information Services also hosts and maintains MySQL on a database server, WebDB.mis.uri.edu. For information on MySQL, please check out " What is MySQl? ".

How do I write PHP scripts?

You can write PHP scripts using any either a text editor, like Notepad, or HTML editors such as Microsoft FrontPage or Macromedia Dreamweaver. There are also many freeware programs specifically designed for writing PHP code.

Once you've finished programming your PHP code, save the file with a .php extension. PHP is a server-side scripting language and runs on your Web server, not on the user's browser, so you do not need to worry about compatibility issues. You then upload the file via FTP to the Web server.

You can now access your script via a Web browser. If there is an error, you need to debug your PHP code. Use the error message and corresponding line number to make appropriate changes to the script.

Please keep in mind that we do NOT offer individual consulting or training on the use of PHP. Group training in the form of short courses may be offered per availability of instructor. Please check the Office of Information Services Short Courses listing for availability information.

Is there a PHP tutorial that can help me learn it?

Yes, if you are new to PHP, there is a wealth of information about PHP on the Web and in books. Listed below are a few good PHP tutorials on the Internet. Please also refer to the PHP Website or use a search engine like Google for more information.

Webmonkey.com
FreeWebmasterHelp.com
Zend

Is database application on the Web supported?

The Office of Information Services is currently looking into this issue and is in the process of researching a database application on the Web. Please check back at a later date.