PHP Syntax, Variables, Data Types, Operators, and Core Language Basics
Learn the essential PHP language rules needed to start writing meaningful programs confidently.
Inside this chapter
- Basic PHP Syntax
- Variables and Dynamic Typing
- Common Data Types
- Operators
- Real Example
Series navigation
Study the chapters in order for the clearest path from PHP basics to backend architecture, security, deployment, and production engineering habits. Use the navigation at the bottom to move smoothly through the full tutorial series.
Basic PHP Syntax
<?php
echo "Hello PHP";
?>PHP code usually begins with <?php. In pure PHP files, the closing tag is often omitted to avoid accidental whitespace output. Statements usually end with semicolons.
Variables and Dynamic Typing
$name = "Amit";
$age = 24;
$isActive = true;PHP variables begin with $. PHP is dynamically typed, which means the type is associated with the value rather than being declared statically in many beginner examples. Later, modern PHP also adds typed properties, parameters, and return types for stronger contracts.
Common Data Types
- string
- int
- float
- bool
- array
- object
- null
Operators
$total = 10 + 5;
$isEligible = $total > 12;
$message = $isEligible ? "Allowed" : "Blocked";Arithmetic, comparison, logical, assignment, concatenation, and ternary operators appear everywhere in real PHP code.
Real Example
A registration script might store user input in variables, evaluate a few conditions, compute derived values, and build a response message. These basics power almost every more advanced PHP feature.