the .phtml extension is used to mark php scripts. Usually PHP 2 or PHP 3
scripts. (The recommended extension nowadays is .php)
Is PHP similar to javascript?
Yes and no. It is a scripting language, but that's about where
the similarities end. Javascript is a 'client-side' scripting language
which means it runs on the browser. PHP is a 'server-side' scripting
language which means (you guessed it) it runs on the server before
the end user ('client') ever sees it.
What can you do with PHP?
You can't do all that cool dynamic html stuff that javascript offers.
You've got no access to the DOM when you use a server side language
anywayz.
What you_can do is create stable, browser version independant, CGI
scripts with easy access to database, form processing, and even
some session handling features. PHP is a langhuage for writing
CGI applications of all sizes. Because it was designed for CGI use,
the features are all geared around making it easy_ to write CGI scripts.
Sadly, I do not know something that provides the features of javascript
that requires less code. I'd personally settle for something that was
client side, gave me access to the DOM, and was actually stable/consisitent
across the browsers... but I'm a dreamer. ;>
Hope this helps!
Erskin
geek.
