Learn PHP Programming

Master PHP programming from basics to advanced concepts with our comprehensive tutorial series. Perfect for beginners and web developers.

Start Learning Try PHP Online
Tutorial Contents
Getting Started
Fundamentals
Arrays & Control Flow
Functions
Web Development
Object-Oriented Programming
Advanced Topics

PHP Sessions & Cookies

Persist data across requests using sessions and cookies.

Sessions

session.php
<?php
session_start();
$_SESSION['user'] = 'alice';
echo $_SESSION['user'];
?>

Cookies

cookie.php
<?php
setcookie('theme', 'dark', time()+3600);
echo $_COOKIE['theme'] ?? 'default';
?>
Note

Cookies are stored client-side; sessions are server-side.

Explanation

  • Call session_start() before output to initialize or resume a session.
  • Cookies persist small pieces of state in the browser; set HttpOnly and Secure flags.
  • Store minimal sensitive data in sessions; rotate session IDs on login.
Tip: Use short session lifetimes and clear sessions on logout to reduce risk.
Keywords: sessions, cookies, HttpOnly, Secure, session_start
Previous: File Handling
Next: OOP Basics

Frequently Asked Questions

PHP is a server-side scripting language designed for web development. It powers over 75% of websites on the internet, including Facebook, Wikipedia, and WordPress. Learning PHP opens doors to web development careers and freelance opportunities.

No, PHP is beginner-friendly with simple syntax. However, basic understanding of HTML and CSS will be helpful since PHP is often used to create dynamic web pages.

With PHP, you can build dynamic websites, web applications, content management systems, e-commerce platforms, APIs, and much more. Popular platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and Magento are built with PHP.

Basic PHP can be learned in 2-4 weeks with consistent practice. To become proficient and learn advanced concepts like frameworks and best practices, it typically takes 3-6 months of regular learning and practice.

You need a web server (Apache/Nginx), PHP interpreter, and a database (MySQL). The easiest way is to install XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP which includes all these tools. You'll also need a text editor like VS Code or PhpStorm.

Master PHP Programming with Our Comprehensive Tutorial

Our PHP programming tutorial is designed to take you from a complete beginner to an advanced PHP developer. Whether you're looking to build dynamic websites, create web applications, or start a career in web development, this tutorial series provides everything you need to succeed.

What You'll Learn

  • PHP fundamentals and syntax
  • Variables, data types, and operators
  • Control structures and loops
  • Functions and arrays
  • Object-oriented programming
  • Database integration with MySQL
  • Web forms and user input handling
  • Security best practices

PHP remains one of the most popular programming languages for web development, powering millions of websites worldwide. Our tutorial includes practical examples, real-world projects, and best practices to ensure you learn not just the syntax, but how to write clean, efficient, and secure PHP code.

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