PHP Questions, lots Options

[starlette]

Okay before you yell at me for makin a topic that has already been made, I can't search for php cuz its only 3 letters, and I don't have 3 years to go thru 67 pages of topics. So yeah. :D


Anyway!

I've been running around the web looking at sites and their source codes. I'm about to get a domain and redo my current website completely and I'm thinking I should use php. However, I've been searching and reading all on the web and I can't get any answers in plain english. I'm using Yahoo! Small business solutions to host my site and they support php, perl, dreamweaver, mysql and all this other stuff. But I don't know how to apply all this crap. So let me ask you guys.

Whats EXACTLY does php do?

What makes php easier and more useful than its alternatives?

what are phps alternatives?

What tools do I need to use php?

Do I need a server?

Why is MySQL and do I need it for php?

What is perl and is it for use instead of or with php?

What are the perks to using php in terms of useability and function for the visitors?

How should I go about learning php and implementing into my web page?

Any other important factors that should be noted. I'm just trying to get some answers here. Because I'm getting frustrated because of all these things that are listed out there but I don't know any of them. I am very familiar with html as well as css and a little javascript, plus flash and dreamweaver. And I know dreamweaver creates php files. I'm just trying to get a grip on all this crap so I can move forward. Any answers are very greatly appreciated!!

[*mipadi*]

Whats EXACTLY does php do?
In the end, PHP just outputs the HTML/XHTML coding necessary for building a webpage. But it does it in a more powerful way. PHP is a server-side scripting language, and allows webpages to be made dynamic. You can do everything from simply changing the date and time at the bottom of the page, to story nearly all your content in a database and allowing it to be pulled dynamically, while still keeping your layout the same across the site.

What makes php easier and more useful than its alternatives?
Assuming the alternatives are straight HTML, PHP allows a web designer to make a page that is easily updateable, with the ability to collect information from the user, or change states based on user interaction.

what are phps alternatives?
Technically, a scripting language such as Microsoft's ASP, or ColdFusion, could be used, but both can only be used on certain servers. PHP has wider support.

What tools do I need to use php?
Nothing but a server to run the PHP interpreter, and a text editor to edit the scripts.

Do I need a server?
Yes. You can get PHP for a personal machine, but you need a server to share your pages anyway, so it should have PHP support.

Why is MySQL and do I need it for php?
MySQL is a piece of database software. You don't need it for PHP, but together, MySQL and PHP creates a powerful combination.

What is perl and is it for use instead of or with php?
Unlike PHP, which is a scripting language, Perl is a full-fledged programming language. It's a bit more powerful in some respects than PHP. It can be used for producing webpages, but PHP is generally a better option, as it is designed expressly for that purpose and has better support.

What are the perks to using php in terms of useability and function for the visitors?
Basically as noted above—dynamic control of webpages, collection of information, that sort of thing.

How should I go about learning php and implementing into my web page?
There are many books available. w3schools.com might be helpful, too. To be honest, when I learned it, I just went to php.net and looked stuff up in the function list. (Of course, it helped that I already knew C. PHP uses a C-like syntax, so if you don't know any C-style languages already, you'll have to learn the syntax first, which isn't that hard.)