PHP is server-side script language which can be used to collect form data, generate dynamic page content, or send and receive cookies.
PHP, together with MySQL database is one of the best combination for creating data-driven dynamic websites. Simply to say: MySQL is responsible for storing data while PHP sends users' request and get back data from MySQL database. Of course this statement does not explain all they can do.
Say we need to create a material database and allow users to enter keywords and retrieve materials properties they want. First, we need to prepare a database for housing materials' infomation. Then we use PHP to write some search code which embeds all kinds of SQL query statements, with the help of HTML, we may create user interface of the search engine. Now use “ Form" in HTML, we can send user input to the PHP search code, the PHP script will run on the server side, get access to the MySQL database and show the search results to the users.
In order to run your web applications on your own server, still you may need APACHE HTTP Server ( generally shortened by APACHE) installed on your server machine except for PHP+MySQL.Of course, one last thing we need to do is to apply for/buy a website domain. Generally it is possible for you to test your web apps on some free hostings, in such a case, you do not have to worry about the APACHE and website domain things.
PHP can also be used to write desktop applications with a graphical user interface though not as good as other high-level programming languages, but if you know PHP pretty well, and would like to use some advanced PHP features in your client-side applications you can also use PHP-GTK to write such programs.
Finally I would like to recommend readers to follow this link
"Building a Simple Search Engine with PHP" to learn how to build a simple search engine with PHP+MySQL.
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