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PHP (see Wikipedia) is a web scripting language. Like C or C++ on a desktop computer, similarly PHP is a programming language used in web sites, to make web pages, to execute programmed effects that can not be achieved by html alone. You may have heard of java or javascript, javascript is often used within (literally inside) html pages or by having separate java files loaded in parallel to html pages to carryout specific tasks or change what is displayed on a web page. PHP is a scripting language, entirely separate, different, and independent of html and java, which allows one to do much of what both html and java can do, in one language. In fact this page is made with PHP. If you examine the actual web page file you are reading now, you will find the file name is "index.php". And you can see this page displays just like it was created as a simple html file (in fact this page use to be "index.html"). And at the same time parts of a php page can include html, java or javascript, making PHP a very flexible web scripting language.

PHP is commonly used in conjunction with MySQL (see Wikipedia). In order to have a "dynamic" web site (a web site that actually uses data or objects stored within a database, as opposed to a stack of flat html pages much like a book) one must use a web based database system and scripting language to interact with that data.

PHP/MySQL is in direct competition with Microsoft and other companies. With Microsoft, as with other proprietary technologies, one must pay the cost to purchase existing software, technology and use rights, as well as pay for upgrades over time, and eventually in effect pay "rent" to use related technologies. However PHP/MySQL, related software and applications is almost entirely FREE! The only exception is if, for example, you create a web application using this software you may sell it. But for any individual to use existing free resources to create something for themselves or their own business purposes is entirely FREE, without exception. The cost is only a consideration when using PHP web applications created by someone else. That being said, there is an enormous wealth of completely FREE PHP based web applications available to you. When you start you may think that is an overstatement, but the more you learn, the more you will discover how vast and valuable those free web applications are!

It's hard to get into business, especially when you have to pay up front for things which may or may not ever pay off. That is one of the nice things about PHP/MySQL technology. There is no need to pay for it at all, but especially not before it pays off for you.

NOTE: There is absolutely nothing you can not do with a Microsoft server, database, or scripting language while paying for it, which you can not do with Unix, Linux, Apache, PHP/MySQL completely FREE! Don't be fooled into thinking you need to pay for a Microsoft product when you could be achieving all your goals for free.

The PHP/MySQL is a great open source, FREE, programming script language and database combination of technologies. I highly recommend everyone to learn them both.

Take advantage of the best FREE online 'How To' tutorials or best online schools providing the best FREE online 'how to' tutorials to learn more:

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