Objectives

Upon completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Store data in variables and constants.
• Output strings to the screen with echo.
• Interpolate variables in strings.
• Use comments in your PHP code.
• Define your own functions.
• Store and retrieve single and multi-dimensional array data.
• Store and retrieve hash data.
• Code various conditional and looping structures.
• Understand PHP’s scoping rules.
• Use short echos and the PHP alternative syntax.

Conventions

All source code in the notes will be syntax highlighted like so:

<?php
    $beers_on_the_wall = 99;
    $beers_on_the_wall--; // Take one down, pass it around.
    echo $beers_on_the_wall . " bottles of beer on the wall.";
?>

The output obtained by running the source through an interpreter will be displayed in a monospace font on a grey background:

98 bottles of beer on the wall.