Overview

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PHP is the foundation of dynamic server-side web development, yet many beginners move into frameworks without fully understanding how server-side logic works. This course changes that. You will learn how PHP handles requests, processes data, manages logic, works with forms, and adds dynamic functionality to websites, and you will build these skills hands-on by transforming a personal portfolio website into a dynamic, PHP-powered site. Throughout this course, you will work directly with PHP to understand client-side and server-side execution, write PHP syntax, use variables and data types, manipulate strings, apply operators, work with conditionals and loops, organize data with arrays, create reusable functions and templates, process forms, validate and sanitize user input, work with sessions, and handle redirects and email. Each concept is reinforced through step-by-step hands-on demonstrations that you can follow along on your own setup, pause, replicate, and practice at your own pace. By the end of this course, you'll be able to: Identify how client-side and server-side development differ, understand the PHP request lifecycle, and work with PHP syntax, variables, data types, operators, and strings. Apply conditionals, loops, arrays, and built-in functions to control program flow and generate dynamic website content. Develop reusable PHP functions and templates to organize website components and reduce repeated code. Process user input using GET, POST, and superglobals, and apply validation, sanitization, email handling, redirects, and sessions to build secure, dynamic websites. This course is designed for a diverse audience: beginners moving into server-side web development, aspiring full-stack developers building foundational PHP skills, career switchers exploring web development, and professionals who want to understand how dynamic websites work behind the scenes. Basic familiarity with HTML is recommended, but no prior experience with PHP or server-side programming is required. This course assumes a beginner starting point with PHP and builds every concept from the ground up. Start building dynamic websites and develop the foundation for creating functional, interactive, server-powered web experiences using PHP.

Syllabus

Getting Started with PHP
- This module explores the foundations of PHP, including how server-side scripting works, setting up and running PHP, understanding the PHP request lifecycle, working with syntax, variables, data types, operators, and strings, and troubleshooting common PHP errors.
Control Flow, Functions and Dynamic Content
- This module explores control flow and dynamic content in PHP, including using conditionals and loops, working with arrays and built-in functions, generating portfolio content from data, and creating reusable functions and templates to organise code efficiently.
Forms, Security and the Dynamic Site
- This module explores forms, security, and dynamic website functionality in PHP, including handling GET and POST requests, validating and sanitising user input, applying essential security practices, managing email and redirects, using sessions, and completing a dynamic PHP-powered portfolio.