PHP for the Web·PHP from first script to a working app

Setup and syntax

Run PHP from the terminal and learn variables, types, output and strict mode.

Beginner 12 min read Lesson 1 of 300 Challenge included

What you will be able to do

Start PHP code with the opening tag and end it only when mixing HTML.
Use declare(strict_types=1) at the top of every file.
Prefer single quotes when you do not need interpolation.
Inspect values with var_dump while developing.

In plain English

PHP runs on the server and sends finished HTML to the browser. A file starts in HTML mode and switches into PHP with an opening tag. Strict types turn accidental string-to-number coercion into visible errors, which is exactly what you want while learning.

hello.phpPHP

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

$name = 'Ada';
$score = 91.5;
$active = true;

echo "Hello, {$name}! Score: {$score}\n";
var_dump($active);

Your turn

Print a formatted line

Easy

Create variables for a course title and a lesson count, then print "CSS has 16 lessons" using interpolation.

PHP · starter

<?php
$title = 'CSS';
$lessons = 16;
// print the line

Check your understanding before moving on.

Knowledge checkQuestion 1

What does declare(strict_types=1) change?

Select an answer to continue

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