Ensuring better data management by integrating MySQL with PHP

The combination of PHP as well as MySQL proves to be powerful when it comes to creating dynamic webpages. Such webpages help in interacting with your visitors better. On the other hand, HTML can help to create well formatted and useful webpages. Data can also be collected from the users or created from specific content that is on the fly. There are many things that PHP and MySQL combination can do that HTML alone cannot.

About MySQL

This is one of the most popular as well as widely used open source databases. It offers considerable easiness while using and great amount of reliability. Moreover, there are no costs associated with using this relationable database. In addition, there are several documentations that are available for free. The community created around it is impressive as well as numerous programmers share their codes that are helpful in communicating with this type of database.

About PHP

It is a widely used programming language that has to be used along with HTML. The USP of this langiage is that this can be used directly within the existing HTML content. Besides, the HTML tags can also be included within your custom PHP development coding. While learning PHP there is no need to give up all that you need to know about HTML rather you are simply adding more functions to the existing ones. This is a scripting langauge wherein HTML might be embedded. As a result this langauge is able to execute a number of functions like printing data, work on the numeric calculations as well as create simpel boolean options.

How can these two work together?

Both of them complement each other. PHP is able to collect information while the relational database stores the same data. The former might also develop dynamic calculations while the database will offer with variables that it requires. Similarly this langauge is used to develop a shopping cart for a particular webstore while MySQL is sused to keep all the information like demand receipts, order status and other product related data.

Although both of them are able to also function separately but when the programmers combine them, it opens up a host of new opportunities. With the internet developing bit by bit each day, it is important to deliver more and more dynamic content in order to keep up with the rising demands of the web surfers. The customers are looking for the desired data to be delivered to tham instantly. This is where data has to be managed wisely. To meet this end both MySQL and PHP could be combined.

The scripting language is the final doorway to the database. It works as a sort of midlle man who is armed with several technologies and can transfer the data as required. The programmers, thus, are able to combine these technologies to offer a better user experience to the visitors.

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PHP and Its Evolution over the Years

As a dynamic programming language, PHP can be used for both general programming and server-side scripting context. But PHP was originally not written by Rasmus Lerdorf as a new programming language. After designing the language to maintain his personal home page, Lerdorf subsequently extended it build simple and dynamic web pages. He publicly released "Personal Home Page/Forms Interpreter" or PHP/FI as "Personal Home Page Tools (PHP Tools) version 1.0". Since its first public release in April, 1996, PHP has been evolving over the years as a powerful and dynamic programming language.

Continuous Evolution of PHP as a Dynamic Programming Language

PHP/FI: It is the second-generation implementation of the programming language that provided a complete makeover to it. The implementation further converted PHP into an independent programming language from a set of tools. Along with supporting cookies and user-defined functions, PHP/FI also came with built-in support for several databases including mSQL, DBM and Postgres95.

PHP 2: The version 2.0 of PHP was released in June 1995. It is also a single and full version of PHP 2.0. When PHP 2.0 was released in November 1997, it came with a completely rewritten underlying parsing engine. The parsing engine also distinguished the commercial release from the earlier beta release.

PHP 3: The version 3.0 of the programming language closely resembles the modern PHP. PHP 3.0 was developed by the combined efforts of many developers across the world. The version was released officially after thorough open public testing. The release also made PHP installed on 10% of web servers across the world. It was further hosted on web servers running on Macintosh and different versions of Windows.

PHP 4.0: PHP 4.0 was designed with the objective to optimize the performance of complex applications. Along with making PHP’s code base more modular, the version 4.0 also supported a wide range of databases and third-party APIs. It was further made based on the new Zend engine. The engine and new features improved the programming language’s performance drastically. PHP 4.0 also supported additional web servers, output buffering, HTTP sessions, while handling user input more securely.

PHP 5.0: After several pre-releases, the version 5.0 of PHP was officially released in July 2004. Along with Zend 2.0, it came with a number of new features and significant improvements. Along with supporting XML, PHP 5.0 further allowed programmers to access and manipulate XML as PHP objects. At the same time, it also came with an improved MySQL extension called MySQLi that included an object oriented interface. It further enable programmers to create make Web Services more interoperable by using the built-in SOAP extension.

PHP 5.1: The version 5.1 of the programming language was released in November 2005 with a completely rewritten date handling code, improved time zone support, several built-in extensions, and bug fixes. By enabling PDO extensions, PHP 5.1 simplified and improved data handling.

PHP 5.2: PHP 5.2.0 was released in November 2006 with features to improve the performance of heavy-traffic websites. Along with more tracking memory usage more accurately and efficiently, the version 5.2.0 also came with a new memory manager for the Zend Engine. It also came with a number of new features including ZIP extension, JSON extension, input filtering, date and time objects, and hooks for tracking the progress of file uploads.

PHP 5.3: The earlier versions of PHP were lacking the better object model required by complex application. So the version 5.3 of PHP was designed with improved object oriented programming. Along with several new extensions and optimal garbage collection for cyclic references, PHP 5.3 also supported namespaces, closures, late static binding and similar concepts related to object oriented programming.

PHP 5.4: As a major version of the programming language, PHP 5.4 was released in March 2012. Along with over 100 bug fixes, it came with new features like shortened array syntax, traits and built-in web server for application testing. At the same time, the version also introduced optimized performance and memory footprint.

PHP 5.5: The version 5.5 of PHP was released in June 2013. It introduced several new features including finally keyword, support for constant array/string dereferencing, simplified password hashing API, generators and coroutines, and support for list() constructs in foreach statements.

According to several reports, a new major version of the programming language called PHP7 is under development. The next version of PHP aims to optimize its performance by refactoring the Zend framework, while retaining its language compatibility. You can hire PHP developers from PHP development company for your web development needs, who can help you build web apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.

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The Pros and Cons of Zend PHP Certification

Zend PHP Certification is done in two phases – Zend PHP Phase I and Phase II. The phase I of the certification course is basically the foundation course that is designed for providing a sound idea of PHP language to the non-technical or non-programming individuals. This particular course guides the aspirants through the fundamentals of PHP with a somehow experiential approach that is pregnant with a number of examples along with several hands-on exercises. As the course comes to an end, the aspirant learns the key essentials that are needed for PHP programming.

The second phase of the certification curriculum on the other hand, is an intermediate-level course that is built upon the programming knowledge that has been acquired throughout the 1^st phase. The 2^nd phase is chiefly consisted of a hands-on approach, rich with a number of instances along with practical exercises and development of a key project with a view to enhance as well as continue enhancing the skills by utilizing the best practices with the help of the most effective tools.

Now the question is whether this certification course if really worth. While one school of thought is of the opinion that the course is really valuable, according to another quarter, the course is not that useful. On the contrary, it is a bit overrated. All said and done, it is perhaps most sensible to say that the course has its merits as well as demerits and one cannot ignore its efficacy at the end of the day, no matter which way it is seen from. So let us discuss the pros and cons of this certification course.

Advantages

It helps in confirming the skills

The most important objective of this certification is that it provides a formal confirmation about the PHP programming skills of an individual. Once a programmer successfully completes the course, he/she is described as a ZCE or Zend Certified Engineer. His/her name gets included in the directory of all successful ZCEs, which surely is a feather in his/her cap.

This certification is particularly important for the intermediate developers as this helps to differentiate them from the beginners. As the certification course covers various aspects of PHP programming language in a comprehensive manner, getting certified helps the programmers immensely whenever they chose to learn advanced PHP programming.

An excellent way of reviewing and extending the programming prowess

For taking up the examination, a thorough preparation is needed, as the course virtually includes all the fundamental functionalities of the language. Thus, preparing for the certification itself helps a lot when it comes to learning various aspects of the language, or evaluating one’s programming knowledge as well as expertise. The knowledge may include certain fundamental concepts like syntax, language constructions, dealing with operators along with various intricate features that may include working with different types of files, manipulation of arrays and strings, session handling, dealing with cookies and form data and so on.

Disadvantages

However, the certification is not without blues. This takes us back at the start of this article where it is stated that a certain school of thought has reservations regarding this course. Here are the points that have been raised by that quarter.

Limitation of examination questions

The examinees have to answer about 70 questions, the samples of which can be found on the official website of Zend. Some of these sample questions deal with the inbuilt function names of PHP, parameters – their usage etc. All these knowledge would by default form the very part of the psyche of any developer or programmer. Therefore, it is virtually impossible to evaluate this knowledge by asking such questions. Also, according to this sect of pundits, there is no logic of memorizing such a huge number of array and string functions just for passing the examination successfully, simply because in real life scenario, a proper string or array function can easily be found on the net by browsing appropriate PHP documentation.

Efficacy of the certificate

Again, certain people have expressed their reservation regarding the very efficacy of the certification, citing that it may not after all be a proof enough that an individual is an efficient PHP developer. While the certificate does guarantee that the individual in question has advanced PHP knowledge, it does not say that the person is skilled or competent enough to use that knowledge in real life scenarios. You can hire developers from PHP development company who can help you build web apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.

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CodeIgniter and Its Importance to PHP

CodeIgniter (CI) is actually an open source web application framework that is designed to facilitate rapid web development. The framework is mainly used to build dynamic sites with the help of PHP.

It is extremely powerful and comes with an inbuilt code management system, which helps in providing cost effective PHP solutions besides helping in production of code that is easier to browse as well as write, thereby resulting in significant time as well as cost saving.

As it is an open source application, it is free and is readily available, it is light-weight, and extremely easy to use as well as to incorporate. Following are the features of CI, which make the application so much important when it comes to PHP development.

User Guide

One of the most significant features that make the framework so much important, is its user guide that to say the least, is extremely useful as well as quite impressive. The documentation is done in the most professional way that comes in handy for the PHP developers, especially when it comes to coding.

Simplicity

CI is user-friendly, simple, and a significant proportion of the operation is completed through library uploading. Besides, as the workings are open as well as clear, it is fairly easy to comprehend and naturally is easy to use.

Model Handling

When it comes to dealing with models, CI uses a straightforward process, thereby imitating the standard SQL queries with the use of some simple commands.

Data Validation

It also helps in data validation, which is a major aspect while dealing with models, where validation of data is done with the use of validation of class. Thus, it becomes absolutely imperative for the PHP developers to know about CodeIgniter for effective code implementation.

Other advantages that CI offers to PHP developers include:

• Easy, hassle-free, as well as seamless migration from one server to another followed by a smooth installation.
• It is extremely easy to handle and customize to meet the need of the clients
• As it is built with a framework that is MVC based, it comes with a lot of flexibility as well as easy management.

It is important for the PHP developers to know about CodeIgniter as it helps in

• Designing frameworks with footprints that are on the smaller side
• Some outstanding performance presentation
• Intensive compatibility for coming to terms with regular hosting accounts that is important when it comes to managing completely distinctive PHP versions
• Dealing with frameworks that function with practically zero configuration
• For designing a framework that will not put any restrictions while operating with certain specific secret rules of code writing.

The PHP framework of CodeIgniter helps the developers to program much faster and helps improving the performance of the custom PHP applications. CI also comes up with an array of libraries that the developers can use for implementing new value added features to a website in a seamless fashion.

Moreover, the modular approach of CI helps in easier maintainability of the applications along with seamless incorporation of the new features like:

Dynamic Instantiation: In CodeIgniter, the components get loaded and the routines are executed only upon request. The system does not make any preemptive assumptions regarding what will be required to make the system light-weight by default.

Loose Coupling: Coupling is an extent by which the system components depend upon each other. The lesser is this dependency, the more will be the flexibility and usability of the system. CI helps in this loose coupling.

Component Singularity: Singularity is a parameter that measures the extent to which the components will have a narrowly focused objective. In CI, each and every class and the functions thereof are autonomous enough so as to facilitate optimal usefulness.

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Is PHP a better choice for larger & complex projects?

Over the last few years, PHP has turned out to be one of the most popular scripting languages and its popularity seems to increase all the time. The principle reason behind its popularity is the fact the language is extremely easy to be picked up and can be used to design as well as develop customized web pages. This ideally implies that by opting for PHP as the principle implementation language, a user can have the liberty of building a web page that is dynamic, rather quickly as well as easily.

However, when it comes to dealing with larger projects, it is highly imperative to take certain measures to make PHP development an effective tool for larger as well as more complex projects.

The measure includes:

• Separating the business logic from the presentation itself

• Taking the help of individual developer(s) instead of a development team

• Taking Special care of those areas where the initial simplicity of PHP can make things too much complicated for you

Though PHP at times can create a lot of issues in the case of bigger projects, taking special care in these three aspects can make the scripting language a handy one.

Separating the business logic from the presentation itself

The websites that are designed nowadays are scripted in such a way their reaction time is minimal when it comes to meeting the changing demands of the market. From the point of view of the developers, this means that they need to alter the contents of the website along with its looks in a seamless way and with minimal effort. This can be done by separating the presentation (which means the site's aesthetic look) from the very logic of the business (which means the activity of the site or what the site is expected to do).

This type of separation will provide an opportunity of engaging two separate development teams – one team, taking up the responsibility of setting up the business logic and the other team, taking up the responsibility of designing. As very few programmers are equally competent in visual designing, this clearly gives a significant edge over the competitors. This is more apparent in case of development of bigger as well as more complex projects with the help of PHP.

Now, let us see the other ways in which any disadvantage that PHP carries with it, can be negated. The principle objective of PHP is combining the HTML that will create the main get up or the look of the site along with the logic that is used to carry out the business. The codes develop the contents of the site, that can easily be derived from a database. Even developers who are not that experienced find this easy to deal with and this makes PHP such an easy language to understand. This makes all the difference even during bigger or more complex projects.

To make sure you can make the most of PHP during development of larger and more complex project, the following checklists should be maintained.

• The amount of control that needs to be there over deployment platform.

• The number of people who will be working on the particular site – at present as well as in the future.

• The size of the site needs to be ascertained in advance and the number of pages needs to be determined alongwith.

• The life cycle of the page or in other words, how long the page is expected to last? This will determine the extent of changes that the page will undergo and depending upon that, the users can extend the PHP with a suitable templating system.

• Also, take into account the extent of experience that the developers have, along with the complexity of the site as that will be determining the changes that the site will undergo.

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Best Frameworks in PHP for ERP Applications

The complex nature of business processes has made it a daunting challenge for developers to build robust ERP application rapidly. With more and more enterprises outsourcing business processes, the ERP application needs to consider the requirements of several distributed teams. But there are a number of frameworks in PHP that allows developers to build a variety of ERP application rapidly. Most of these frameworks support the model-view-controller (MVC) approach, while allowing programmers to optimize the app’s performance by structuring their code. If you are planning to build a robust ERP application rapidly, it is a good idea to know some of the best PHP frameworks that will complement your project requirements.

Five of the Best PHP Frameworks for ERP Applications

1) CodeIgniter

The robust framework comes with a set of advanced features that make it easier for programmers to rapidly build ERP applications. In addition to facilitating fast page loads, CodeIgniter further allows developers to avail brilliant documentation and assistance from a large community. The non-strict structural requirements, at the same time, make the PHP framework cost-efficient. You can learn and use CodeIgniter without putting any extra time and effort. Also, the online community forums and chat services will help you in clarifying your doubts and questions.

2) Zend

As the framework developed by makers of the PHP, Zend is used widely to build ERP and business applications. It also allows users to access loads of plugins and advanced features, along with optional free downloads. Unlike other PHP frameworks, Zend enables you to access a custom server. You can use the custom server to check the look, feel and performance of the application across multiple platforms, without additional configurations. However, Zend will require you to invest some funds initially. Also, you have to incur additional expenses to buy add ons from Zend. If you are ready to spend some money, Zend will help you in building robust and customized ERP applications quickly.

3) Yii

Yii is considered to be one of the most effective frameworks to develop social and business applications. It allows you to optimize the performance of the ERP application by availing features like SQL injection, input validation and several security tasks. The framework can further save your time by generating the base code automatically. Also, Yii, at present, is the fasted loading PHP framework in the market. However, you have to invest both time and efforts to learn the ins and outs of Yii. The lack of books and tutorials will further require you to avail the assistance of other PHP developers.

4) FuelPHP

FuelPHP comes with features found in major PHP frameworks. But it combines these features into an approach that is both fresh and distinct. You also have option to refer to active comprehensive and updated Fuel documentation, along with getting help from a large community. The PHP framework is further updated frequently to support new features. Like CodeIgniter, FuelPHP can also be learned without putting any extra time and effort. But you will find the code to be less compact in comparison to CodeIgniter. The framework allows you to optimize the ERP application’s performance by implementing your creative and innovative ideas.

5) Symfony

In comparison to other MVC frameworks, Symfony is much more customizable. You also have option to improve the ERP application’s performance by using different software components that are being used by the project already. Many developers also considered Symfony to be the complete framework to build ERP and business applications. You have option to determine the security level of the application simply by configuring the two writing folders required by Symfony.

While developing an ERP application, each PHP developer has option to choose from several frameworks. So you must evaluate different PHP frameworks according to the specific requirements of your project. However, you also need to keep track of the new and innovative frameworks being launched at frequent intervals. Expert php web development India teams can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

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