What Is PHP?

The full form of PHP is Hypertext PreProcessor and is a server-side scripting language. The PHP code can be combined with regular HTML tags and parsed on the server. The creator of PHP, Rasmus Lerdorf first displayed the language in the form of a Perl script . In 1997 it was adapted by Andi Gutmans and Zeev Suraski to use a C-written compiler. They completely reconstructed the original PHP into the web language that we know and use today.

Uses of PHP

It is used in the creation of dynamic web pages. Web developers like it because of its fast parsing and flexibility and versatility. PHP is a popular tool for managing a form's data after it is submitted and comes built in with many different interfaces and API's. It has database capability built into the language, the most common database being MySQL. Typically the PHP can connect to any SQL enabled database.

The Syntax of PHP is similar in structure to Perl and C where curly braces { } define blocks of code and semi-colons specify the end of a statement PHP is as easy to learn as Perl. It maintains all the traditional loops, if/else, and subroutines that are expected in a programming language. One difference between the two is that the code'?' is embedded in with the HTML; you could however, use a separate file. The PHP code is different from HTML code by use of the opening and closing tags. When it finds a PHP file, it tells the server to scan through for these tags, and execute the code in between them. The server recognizes a PHP enabled file by its extension, .php. These are essentially HTML files with PHP codes in them.

Getting Started

To start PHP requires a server with PHP installed and a simple ASCII text editor such as Notepad or VI, eMacs, Kate, etc. for a UNIX/Linux machine.

What are the problems faced by PHP?

It is case sensitive. For example if you name a variable $MyVar, you cannot call it as $myvar or $mYvAr. In case you forget to close your curly brackets, then it helps to indent lines inside the curly braces so that any missing braces can be spotted easily.

AJAX is a cross-platform technique that can be use on different operating system and web application based on JavaScript and DOM. It is a powerful approach of web application technique using client-side scripting to exchange data with the web server. This means that with AJAX, web pages increases interactivity and faster responsiveness of user interface by having an independent communication with the server. Gone are the traditional ways of web browsing whereby a new page communicates with each user's request. This creates dynamic web application user interface that renders effective usability of every desktop applications. AJAX primary purpose is to increase the web page's interactivity, speed, functionality, and usability.

Ajax, by definition, is not technology. In fact, it is an application of several technologies. Ajax incorporates several existing web application like XHTML and CSS for standard-based presentation; the Document Object Model for dynamic display and interaction; XML and XSLT for data interchange between the server and the client; the XMLHttpRequest to exchange asynchronous data with the web server; and the use of JavaScript as the core code for running AJAX application.

To understand AJAX, first we must know how the traditional web application works. The classic web interface trigger an HTTP request back to web server. The server then process and retrieve data before returning an HTML page to the users. This process as a model for hypertext medium makes technical sense. But as web application evolves this process does not make the user interface more interactive and practical.

AJAX, on the other hand, eliminates this problem. AJAX speed up the loading of any web application with the use of intermediary between the user and the server called AJAX engine. This adding of another layer application of eliminates the start-stop-start-stop nature on the web. The browser loads an AJAX engine at the start of session.

The AJAX engine allows the user interface and the application to interchange data asynchronously-independent of the communication to the server. So the interaction between the user and the web never slows down, no point of waiting for the server to do something.

AJAX is a powerful technique that grows exceedingly as web application. That is, AJAX is now part of the guiding principle as web 2.0 flourishes and become a practical reality. With the power of AJAX, many of the business and marketing web site are integrated with AJAX application server platform now. Most of the major products of Google such as Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Suggest are employing AJAX application. Other web services like the photo-sharing application Flickr, Amazon's A9.com, and the new Yahoo! maps depends on AJAX. The application of AJAX comes from simple function to the most complex program like Google Maps.

India is developing at rapid pace and in this fast changing scenario, this country is becoming a major center of information technology. Today the world is viewing India as the next major hub of world-class web solutions to improve and increase their online businesses profit to a large extent. India's software and web development market is booming and gaining its attention for offering excellent offshore web outsourcing services.

Establishing its global presence, Indian IT industry is expected to be worth USD 1.2 billion and making this nation as the most preferred choice for gaining best and cost-competitive web development activities. In past couple of years Indian IT firms have demonstrated their high ability by offering quality software and web development services on global arena. Apart from quality, many Indian software firms have proved their skills and modern methodologies to deliver ultimate solutions for various business requirements.

After having a close look it has been found that with the development of the internet, many new and diverse areas in web development have been opened in India. India as a new destination is actually becoming a new hot bazaar for offering all kinds of web solutions. Factors like low cost manpower, communication facilities, sheer focus on quality and extensive technical knowledge are some of the essential factors that have led the growth of web development. If we compare the present scenario of outsourcing web solution, one main factor that gives India an edge over other countries is this nation has a large ratio of trained brains who deliver better results with their knowledge base. Indian IT professionals have the potential to provide quality work and meet deadlines.

Many top multi-national corporations have understood the benefits of cost-effectiveness of the Indian software market and are similarly astonished by the class of service provided. Apart from this, some of the major top corporations are transmitting their assignments to India to get the superior result within a restricted time frame. The successful story of Indian software development market is also contributing towards escalating the living standards and economy of the country.

It is estimated, that with the pace of globalization the concept like outsource web and software development is going to rise in the next few years. Experts of the market research industry feel that the future and scope of outsourcing various software or web development services is bright and India is definitely one of the emerging names that rank high in IT and web service sector. Web and Software outsourcing India is now setting new milestones, and today many organizations from all across the globe are stepping towards India to get most consistent web solutions and software services.