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Getting Started: Your First PHP Script

Last updated: April 6, 2026 Minimum PHP Version: PHP 7.4+ Status: Stable

Overview

In this guide, you'll write and run your first PHP program. You'll learn how PHP works, how to output text, and how to save and execute your code.

Your First Program

Step 1: Create a File

Create a new file called hello.php in your web server directory: - XAMPP: C:\xampp\htdocs\hello.php (Windows) or /Applications/XAMPP/htdocs/hello.php (Mac) - PHP Server: Any directory, e.g., /home/user/php-projects/hello.php

Step 2: Write PHP Code

Open the file in your editor and type:

<?php
echo "Hello, PHP!";
?>

Step 3: Save and Run

If using XAMPP: 1. Save the file 2. Open browser: http://localhost/hello.php 3. See output: Hello, PHP!

If using command-line: 

# Navigate to file directory
cd /path/to/file

# Run the file
php hello.php

# Output: Hello, PHP!

If using built-in server: 

# Start server
php -S localhost:8000

# Open browser: http://localhost:8000/hello.php

Congratulations! You just ran your first PHP program! 🎉

Understanding What Happened

<?php              # Opening tag: tells server "PHP code starts here"
echo "Hello!";     # Command: output text to browser/console
?>                 # Closing tag: tells server "PHP code ends here"

Key points: - PHP files start with <?php and end with ?> - echo outputs text - Statements end with ; (semicolon) - PHP runs on the SERVER, then sends HTML to browser

Try More Examples

Example 1: Math

<?php
echo 5 + 3;        # Outputs: 8
?>

Example 2: Combining Text

<?php
echo "I am " . 25 . " years old";  # Outputs: I am 25 years old
?>

Example 3: Variables

<?php
$name = "Alice";
echo "Hello, " . $name;  # Outputs: Hello, Alice
?>

Example 4: Current Date

<?php
echo date("Y-m-d");  # Outputs: 2026-04-06
?>

Common First Mistakes

❌ Mistake 1: Forgetting the opening tag 

echo "Hello";  # Won't work - PHP doesn't know this is PHP!
✅ Correct: 
<?php
echo "Hello";
?>

❌ Mistake 2: Forgetting the semicolon 

<?php
echo "Hello"   # Parse error!
?>
✅ Correct: 
<?php
echo "Hello";
?>

❌ Mistake 3: Mixing HTML and PHP incorrectly 

<!-- Wrong way -->
<h1><?php echo "Title"; </h1>   <!-- Missing closing tag! -->
✅ Correct: 
<h1><?php echo "Title"; ?></h1>

Mixing PHP with HTML

PHP excels at generating HTML dynamically:

<?php
$title = "My Website";
$year = 2026;
?>
<html>
  <head>
    <title><?php echo $title; ?></title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <h1><?php echo $title; ?></h1>
    <p>Copyright © <?php echo $year; ?></p>
  </body>
</html>

Browser sees: 

<html>
  <head>
    <title>My Website</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <h1>My Website</h1>
    <p>Copyright © 2026</p>
  </body>
</html>

What You Learned

✅ How to create a PHP file
✅ How to run PHP code
✅ How echo outputs text
✅ How PHP generates web pages
✅ Common beginner mistakes

Next Steps

  1. ✅ Environment Setup - Done!
  2. ✅ Your First Script - You are here!
  3. ⏳ Continue with Basics: Variables

Then explore other topics in Basics section.

See Also

Continue with Basics or explore Best Practices!