AssignmentEli

PHP Programming Part 1: Introduction to PHP Programming

1. How does Eli describe PHP?



PHP is a useful scripting language to create interactive webpages.

2. Briefly compare and contrast scripted and compiled languages.



Compiled languages use software and when the code is executed, it creates and un-editable file. Scripted languages are uploaded through files to a server that delivers information to a user.

3. Briefly explain the difference between client side and server side scripting.



Server side scripting involves a server reading PHP and sending it back to the user in HTML. Client side scripting involves information being sent to the users computer.

4. What popular website does Eli cite as an example of what you can do with PHP and MySQL? Why did Eli that that this particular site was a good example?



Craigslist. It uses HTML as well as PHP and MySQL; it is very effective.

5. What does Eli emphasize as the 'nice' thing about scripted languages such as PHP?



PHP allows you to pull information from the server.

6. What is notepad++? Why would Eli recommend notepad++?



A text editor that is simple to use for languages like PHP.

7. If you want to write and run PHP code, what do you need?



A text editor and a server that supports PHP.

8. How does Eli describe syntax?



How you spell commands.

PHP Programming Part 2: PHP Syntax and Errors

1. In a Linux context, does capitalization matter?



Yes.

2. What are the basic attributes of PHP syntax?



"<?php" Opens the PHP file and closes with "?>". Anything that is to be printed needs to be surrounded with quotes and commands must end with a semi-colon.

3. Discuss one of the PHP error handling techniques that Eli presents.



The browser will print an error message and tell you what line the error is on.

4. What is the difference between printing text and printing HTML?



The browser will read HTML and PHP will print out text.

5. What happens if you add a PHP script to a HTML page and you don’t change the file type to .php from .html?



The browser will only read the HTML, so the PHP code will not be displayed at all.

6. What are the three ways that you can make comments in PHP?



With // or # for single line and /* for multiple lines.

PHP Programming Part 3: Comments and INCLUDE in PHP Programming

1. What are the three ways that you can make comments in PHP?



With // or # for single line and /* for multiple lines.

2. What is the PHP include function? Why is it useful?



It allows PHP to include code from another file, so you do not have to re-write anything.

PHP Programming Part 4: Variables in Print in PHP Programming

1. What are the three types of PHP variables that Eli discusses?



Integers, strings, and arrays

2. What naming rules apply to PHP variables?



Variables must start with $ and either a letter or underscore. PHP is also case sensitive.

3. Compare and contrast the html break tag in HTML and the \n in PHP.



The break tag will be seen on the actual browser, where as the \n tag will only be seen in the code.

PHP Programming Part 5: HTML Forms and PHP Programming

1. What does it mean when Eli says that HTML creates static pages while PHP creates dynamic pages?



HTML only creates the form of the webpage, while PHP allows users to do something with the form.

2. In this exercise, you will use an HTML Textbox, an Option Box, and a Radio Button. What function does each of these input methods provide?



The textbox allows user to enter a string, the option box lets them choose an option from a list, and the radio button allows the user to select one of the choices given.

PHP Programming Part 6: Printing to Files with PHP

1. In this example, you use the PHP file_put_contents() function. Briefly describe this function.



This function writes the info the user inputs into a file.

2. What is a CSV file? Why would you want to use one?



Comma seperated values is a file in spreadsheet form. It can be opened with Excel or other spreadsheet programs.