PHP
2 synonyms for PHP, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A programming language that runs on a web server to build pages before they are sent to the visitor, commonly used for websites that draw their content from a database.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
server-side language
How to use PHP
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
PHP script
PHP version
plain PHP
PHP framework
PHP file
Always the initialism in practice; the expanded name appears mainly in documentation. Files carry the .php extension.
Etymology
Originally an initialism of Personal Home Page Tools; the name was later redefined as the recursive expansion PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor.
Full origin of PHP →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between PHP and JavaScript?
PHP traditionally runs on the server and produces the page that gets sent out; JavaScript runs in the visitor's browser and changes the page after it arrives. JavaScript can also run on servers nowadays, but the browser remains its home ground.
Is PHP still used?
Yes. It powers a large share of existing websites, including the content management systems many sites are built on, and it continues to receive new versions and language features.
Do you need PHP to make a website?
No. A site can be plain HTML and CSS with no server-side language at all. PHP becomes relevant when pages need to be assembled from stored data, handle logins or process form submissions on the server.
