PHP stands for Preprocessing Hypertext language (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a widely popular open-source scripting language for web development.

PHP is one of the most extensively employ scripting technology on the internet. PHP used on the server-side to create dynamic Web pages. PHP can carry out roughly any task that any ASP, JSP, Cold Fusion or CGI program can do, but its strength lies in its ease of use and compatibility with the potent Mysql database. Combine with wide range support of databases (such as mySQL), integrating php with web services and XML can create large-scale web application with miscellaneous functionalities.

Most web hosting service providers offer php support. Regardless of web server operating system; UNIX, Windows or even MacOSX, you can uncover php enabled web hosting package on the Internet.

A common misconception is that PHP is "Linux only" and not compatible with Microsoft systems. PHP is similar to Microsoft’s active server page (ASP) technology, but is used primarily on Linux Web servers (or Windows servers with add-on software).

Almost all UNIX web hosting (such as, Linux web hosting) supports php feature, however, not necessarily all Windows hosting offer php support. Nevertheless, make sure to find out from the php web hosting providers if they support php and which versions of php they support. In addition, check the type of database supported with the php web hosting provider if your php web application also requires integrating with database.

Features supported by PHP 5.1.2 (Latest) version:

• HTTP Response Splitting has been addressed in ext/session and in the header () function.
• Fixed format string vulnerability in ext/mysqli.
• Fixed possible cross-site scripting problems in certain error conditions.
• Hash & XMLWriter extensions added and enabled by default.
• Upgraded OCI8 extension.
• Over 85 various bug fixes.

The difference between PHP and other languages is that you can embed PHP directly into your documents - so there's no need to call outside scripts to run your code or write new web pages to display the results. Or, more simply, you can write PHP right into your web pages by using simple tags.