Foundations of PHP Programming

Server-side programming powers the web, and PHP remains one of the most widely used languages for backend development. This text-based course guides you through the core principles of PHP, giving you a solid grounding in backend web development. You will begin by understanding the foundational terminology and how PHP executes on a web server. Step by step, you will progress from basic syntax and data types to writing modular scripts, handling web forms securely, and structuring logic with modern coding standards. What you'll learn: - Understand core PHP syntax, variables, data types, and control structures - Work with arrays, associative arrays, and essential built-in array functions - Write reusable custom functions and apply modern type declarations - Handle user input securely through HTTP GET and POST requests - Apply basic data validation and sanitization techniques to protect your scripts - Organize your code effectively using modular file structures and modern best practices The course begins with fundamental definitions and setup basics before moving into hands-on reading exercises and code analysis designed to build your confidence. This course is created for complete beginners with no prior backend programming experience. A basic familiarity with HTML is helpful but not required. Start reading today to establish your foundational knowledge in backend PHP development.