How to Run PHP Code in Browser

Knowing how to run PHP code in a browser is a key part of web development in PHP, which is an essential ability.

Whether you're a beginner trying to pick up the basics or an experienced developer wanting to refresh your skills, this tutorial will take you step-by-step through the entire process.

You will know how to compile PHP code directly in your browser by the time you finish reading this tutorial.

Understanding PHP: A Brief Overview

Before diving into the practicalities, let's grasp the basics. PHP, which stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, is a widely used open-source scripting language. 

It can be integrated into HTML and is particularly well-suited for web development. Websites can generate dynamic content by executing PHP code on the server side.

Now let's discuss the four steps browsers take to execute PHP code.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment

To execute PHP code in a browser, first make sure you have all the required resources. 

Here's what you need:

Install a Local Server:

A local server environment is needed for you to run PHP code. The XAMPP, WampServer, and MAMP are popular local servers, select anyone from them and install them depending on your operating system.

These servers include Apache server, MySQL database, and PHP, allowing you to run a server environment on your local machine.

Step 2: Create a Project Folder and PHP File:

You must establish a separate project folder inside the local server once it has been installed.

If your PC has the WampServer server installed, make a project folder inside the www folder and give it a name.

Demo: ( "test" is the project folder name )

wamp/
+-- www/
	+--test/

In the htdocs folder, make a project folder with any name if you have the MAMP server installed on your computer.

Demo: ( "test" is the project folder name )

mamp/
+-- htdocs/
	+--test/

Look at the directory structure of my project. Since I had the XAMPP server installed on my computer, I started my project inside the XAMPP/htdocs folder.

In this instance, the project folder name is "test." 

xampp/
+-- htdocs/
	+--test/

Create a PHP File:

Make a new file inside the project test folder with the extension .php using an integrated development environment (IDE) like Visual Studio Code or a text editor like Notepad++. 

For example, I made the index.php file.

xampp/
+-- htdocs/
	+--test/
		--index.php

Step 3: Write Your PHP Code

Let's create some PHP code now that our local environment has been configured. I wrote the Hello World script inside PHP tags in the index.php file. To edit your index.php file, simply copy and paste the code below.

The PHP tags <?php and ?> in the code below mark the start and finish of the PHP code. Text is printed using the echo statement.

<?php 
	echo "Hello, World!"; // This will output "Hello, World!" in the browser
?>

Step 4: Running PHP Code in Your Browser:

Once you've written your PHP code, it's time to see it in run:

1. Save Your File:

Save the index.php file to your local server's root directory (e.g., htdocs in XAMPP).

2. Start the Local Server:

Start the server by launching your local server application.

3. Open Your Browser:

Launch your favorite web browser (such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome) and enter localhost/test/index.php into the address bar.  Press Enter.

Our project folder name is "test" as you can see in the URL. Since 'index.php' serves as the default home page, typing in the URL is not necessary.