What is PHP?

PHP is an essential programming language for dynamic web development. Used on millions of sites around the world, it allows interaction with databases, generates content, and creates powerful applications. Discover its main features and how to use it with our hosting solutions.

Definition and functioning of PHP

What does PHP mean?

PHP is the recursive acronym meaning "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor". It is an open-source programming language, executed on the server side, primarily used to develop dynamic web pages. Created in 1994, it has undergone numerous evolutions to adapt to new web uses and requirements for security, performance, and compatibility.

Unlike client-side languages like JavaScript, PHP code is interpreted by the web server. The end user therefore only sees the result: dynamically generated HTML (the language that structures the display of a web page).

How does PHP work?

A PHP file contains both HTML code and PHP instructions, enclosed by the tags <?php ... ?>. When a visitor accesses a page, the server executes the PHP instructions before sending the final HTML content to the browser.
Simple example:

<?php
  echo "Bienvenue sur mon site";
?>

This script automatically displays a message on the page every time a visitor views it. Going further, PHP can also retrieve data sent via a form, save information to a file, or display different content based on the user.

PHP thus acts as a link between the visitor's actions and the displayed content. This is what allows a site to be dynamic, interactive, and personalized.

What is PHP used for?

Create dynamic websites

PHP is used to generate web pages that can adapt to the context or actions of the user. Unlike a static page that always displays the same content, a dynamic page can, for example, display the name of a logged-in user, adapt the products offered based on preferences, or respond to searches made on a site.

This allows, for example, an e-commerce site to automatically display items added to the cart, or a news site to load the latest articles without manual intervention.

Manage data exchanges

PHP allows processing data sent by a form (such as a contact or registration form), interacting with a database (like MySQL), and personalizing the displayed content based on the visitor's actions.

It can thus:

record responses to a survey;
display search results;
connect a user to their personal space;
or display articles stored in a database.

Automate the operation of a site

Beyond display, PHP is often used to automate many tasks behind the scenes: automatic email sending, content updating, file generation, user session management, or adapting content based on language or local time.

Why choose PHP? Its advantages over other languages

A simple language to learn and use

One of the great strengths of PHP lies in its simplicity. Its clear and accessible syntax allows beginners to quickly create their first dynamic pages, while offering experienced developers great flexibility. There is no need to configure a complex environment to get started: a simple text editor and a web server are sufficient.
This ease of access has made it one of the most popular languages in the world of web development.

A close compatibility with HTML and JavaScript

PHP was designed to integrate directly into HTML code, making it easy to pick up and use on websites. It can also interact with JavaScript, allowing for the construction of interactive user interfaces where each language has its role (e.g., PHP on the server side, JavaScript on the browser side).
This complementarity makes PHP very suitable for modern website development.

A wide ecosystem and a strong community

Over the years, PHP has built a strong ecosystem. Many tools, frameworks (like Laravel, Symfony, or Zend), libraries, and CMSs (like WordPress or Drupal) are built around it.
The PHP community is active and very large, which facilitates access to resources, support, and concrete examples for rapid progress.

Solid performance and continuous evolution

With the latest versions, PHP has significantly improved its performance. Code execution is faster, memory management is optimized, and regular updates enhance both the stability, compatibility, and security of the language.
This evolution allows PHP to remain competitive against other modern languages.

Comparison with other web languages

Here is a comparative overview between PHP and other languages frequently used in server-side web development:

Criteria	PHP	JavaScript (with Node.js)	Python
Execution	Server side	Server side (via Node.js)	Server side
Learning difficulty	Easy to pick up	Average (asynchronous concepts to master)	Average
HTML Integration	Native	Requires specific configuration	Requires a web framework
Web ecosystem	Very large (WordPress, Laravel, Symfony…)	Large (Express.js, Next.js, React, etc.)	Large (Django, Flask…)
Performance (latest versions)	- Very good	Very good (thanks to Chrome's V8 engine)	- Good
Learning curve	Fast	(progressive)	(progressive)

Each language has its advantages, but PHP remains an excellent choice for quickly developing high-performance sites, particularly due to its simplicity, native compatibility with the web, and mature ecosystem.

Examples of concrete uses

A customized showcase site

With PHP, it is possible to create a simple but dynamic showcase site, where certain sections adapt automatically: for example, displaying a welcome message according to the time, automatically loading the latest news, or integrating a functional contact form.

-e commerce

PHP is frequently used to develop e-commerce sites. It allows adding items to the cart, managing a customer account, placing an order, or filtering products by category or price. It interacts with a database to record and display information related to products, users, or orders.

A blog or a content management system

Thanks to CMSs like WordPress, PHP allows publishing articles, adding pages, managing comments, and customizing the appearance of the site. This is an emblematic example of the concrete use of PHP in content creation.

A custom web application

PHP can also be used to develop more complex applications: booking systems, intranets, file management, member areas, or collaborative tools. When combined with a database and frameworks like Laravel or Symfony, PHP allows for the design of advanced and scalable features.

PHP and WordPress

WordPress is currently the most widely used CMS in the world and it is entirely based on PHP. This language is at the heart of all WordPress functionalities, whether it is displaying a page, publishing an article, or managing user interactions.

A PHP engine behind every action

Every time a visitor accesses a WordPress site, PHP dynamically generates the content displayed on the screen. It interacts with the database to retrieve texts, images, comments, or site parameters, and then assembles everything into an HTML page.

Creating themes and extensions

WordPress themes are built with PHP files that determine the structure and appearance of the site. Similarly, extensions (or plugins) are almost always developed in PHP, allowing for the addition of new features without modifying the core of the system.

Thanks to the flexibility of PHP, developers can create fully customised experiences, from interactive photo galleries to booking systems or payment gateways.

Our solutions for hosting a site or application with PHP

To fully leverage PHP's features, it is essential to choose suitable hosting. OVHcloud offers several flexible and high-performance solutions, compatible with all recent PHP versions.

PHP shared hosting

PHP hosting is a simple and quick solution to set up. It allows you to launch a dynamic website (showcase, blog, portfolio, etc.) without worrying about server configuration. The native support for PHP is fully supported, with the ability to select the desired version according to the project's needs.

VPS for more freedom

For more advanced projects or those requiring a specific configuration, our VPS offer a customizable environment. They allow you to deploy a PHP application with full control over server settings, files, databases, frameworks, or additional tools like Apache, Nginx, or MySQL.

Easily create a PHP website

If you are just starting out, OVHcloud also offers guides and tools to help you create your site easily, even without advanced technical knowledge. You will be able to quickly publish a first page in PHP, test your scripts, or install a CMS like WordPress.

Your questions answered

Is PHP still used in modern projects?

Absolutely. Although new languages have gained popularity, PHP continues to evolve actively and remains very present in the web ecosystem. Its latest version significantly improves performance and security, making it competitive for recent projects. Many modern frameworks like Laravel or Symfony allow for the adoption of advanced architectures with current development practices (testing, REST APIs, etc.). When combined with DevOps tools, PHP can fit perfectly into professional projects, including in cloud or containerized environments.

Which version of PHP should be used today?

It is recommended to use an officially supported PHP version, ideally the latest available in your hosting environment. The latest versions (like PHP 8.2 or 8.3) offer better performance, advanced features, and essential security patches. Some CMS or frameworks even require a minimum version to function properly. OVHcloud allows you to easily choose the PHP version suitable for your project, directly from your client area, without complex technical intervention.

What types of sites are not suitable for PHP?

PHP is very flexible, but it is not always the optimal choice for all types of projects. For example, for complex real-time applications (multiplayer games, live chat, etc.), technologies like Node.js may be more appropriate due to their event-driven architecture. Similarly, some artificial intelligence, scientific computing, or big data processing projects favour languages like Python. On the other hand, for websites, manageable interfaces, or business applications connected to databases, PHP remains perfectly suitable.

Is PHP suitable for professional use in companies?

Yes, PHP is used in many professional environments, including in companies. It powers intranets, internal tools, e-commerce platforms, and high-traffic sites. Thanks to robust frameworks like Symfony or Laravel, it is possible to structure maintainable and secure applications. PHP also integrates well into modern workflows (CI/CD, containerization, REST APIs) and can be easily deployed in cloud environments, VPS, or dedicated servers. Its large community also allows for finding support, third-party libraries, and skilled developer profiles.

Can PHP be connected to other web technologies?

Absolutely. PHP can easily interact with other languages and technologies. It can serve a JSON API for front-end applications in JavaScript (React, Vue.js, etc.), connect to external services via HTTP requests, or consume non-relational databases like MongoDB in addition to MySQL. It is also compatible with file management tools, email sending, online payment, or cloud solutions via specific SDKs. PHP is therefore not isolated: it integrates into hybrid web architectures or microservices.