This free online course introduces you to the server-side scripting language PHP where you will learn about the early history of the language before delving into the syntax. Included in the syntax are keywords and tags commonly used when creating PHP environments and the subtle differences between PHP and other languages like HTML, C#, and Java. As with any coding language whitespace, comments and variables will be covered. The importance of whitespace and some general guidelines of including it around your code is discussed, as well as the benefits of writing descriptive comments throughout your program for yourself and other programmers in the future. You will also be introduced to popular arguments in the PHP community and the background to both sides, from the “command to display information” to the quotes you use in your code.

Next, you will learn how to manipulate your code using operators in PHP. Mathematical operations like addition, subtraction and division and comparative operations such as greater, lesser or equal are all covered. What “controlling the flow” of your program when you launch it, is analyzed, which leads into learning about conditional statements and how loops are used to repeat collections of these statements. You will wrap up this section by learning how to debug your PHP code and address some common PHP challenges and mistakes. The following bit of content in this PHP tutorial includes functions and arrays, the various types you get and similarities between these and those found in other coding languages. The course concludes by discussing runtime errors, how they can impact the running of your program and how to solve them as well. The commands and processes necessary to read and edit external files through PHP written programs is the last section covered in this comprehensive coding course. 

Throughout this PHP coding course, you will form a solid understanding of the basics of PHP coding through theory and practical coding demonstrations. Refine your coding skills by enrolling in this free online PHP for Beginners course and learn a critical language in the field of programming. Whether you are already in the programming field and want to learn PHP coding or if you are interested in learning server-side scripting - this course is perfect for you.