What is the user of a Server-Side Scripting Language like PHP

Server-Side Scripting Language like PHP

What is a Server-Side Scripting Language?

A server-side scripting language is a programming language used to generate dynamic web content on the server before sending it to the user's browser. It allows websites to interact with databases, handle user authentication, process forms, and generate personalized content.

Common Server-Side Scripting Languages:

PHP – Widely used for web development (WordPress, Laravel).
Python (Django, Flask) – Popular for scalable web applications.
Node.js (JavaScript runtime) – Enables JavaScript on the server.
Ruby (Ruby on Rails) – Used for rapid web application development.
ASP.NET (C#) – Microsoft's framework for enterprise applications.
Java (Spring, JSP) – Used in enterprise-level applications.

How is it Different from HTML?

Feature	Server-Side Scripting Language	HTML
Purpose	Processes requests, interacts with databases, generates dynamic content	Structures and displays static content
Execution	Runs on the server before sending the response to the client	Runs directly in the browser
Interactivity	Can handle user login, form processing, and database queries	Only displays pre-written content
Database Support	Can read/write data from databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL)	Cannot connect to a database
Examples	PHP, Python, Node.js, Ruby, ASP.NET	HTML5
Output	Sends generated HTML to the client	Directly written and displayed by the browser

Example: Server-Side Scripting vs. HTML

Static HTML Page for Train List

This is how a static HTML page would look if we manually list trains between two stations say Mumbai and Delhi. this page is fixed and does not update based on user input.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <title>Trains from Mumbai to Delhi</title>
</head>
<body>
   <h2>Available Trains from Mumbai to Delhi</h2>
   
   <table border="1">
       <tr>
           <th>Train No.</th>
           <th>Train Name</th>
           <th>Departure (Mumbai)</th>
           <th>Arrival (Delhi)</th>
           <th>Source</th>
           <th>Destination</th>
       </tr>
       <tr>
           <td>12951</td>
           <td>Mumbai Rajdhani Express</td>
           <td>17:00</td>
           <td>08:35</td>
           <td>Mumbai</td>
           <td>Delhi</td>
       </tr>
       <tr>
           <td>22209</td>
           <td>Mumbai CSMT - Hazrat Nizamuddin AC Duronto Express</td>
           <td>23:05</td>
           <td>15:35</td>
           <td>Mumbai CSMT</td>
           <td>Hazrat Nizamuddin</td>
       </tr>
       <tr>
           <td>12953</td>
           <td>August Kranti Rajdhani Express</td>
           <td>17:10</td>
           <td>09:45</td>
           <td>Mumbai Central</td>
           <td>Delhi</td>
       </tr>
       <tr>
           <td>22221</td>
           <td>Mumbai Bandra Terminus - Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express</td>
           <td>16:40</td>
           <td>10:30</td>
           <td>Bandra Terminus</td>
           <td>Hazrat Nizamuddin</td>
       </tr>
       <tr>
           <td>12471</td>
           <td>Swaraj Express</td>
           <td>07:55</td>
           <td>04:10</td>
           <td>Mumbai</td>
           <td>Delhi</td>
       </tr>
   </table>
   
   <p><strong>Note:</strong> This is a static page. Any changes in train timings will not be reflected automatically.</p>
</body>
</html>

Limitations of a Static Page

No User Input → Cannot search for different routes (e.g., Delhi to Chennai).
Manually Updated → If train schedules change, we must edit the HTML file.
No Real-time Data → No way to check seat availability or book tickets.

When is Static Useful?

If you need a simple page for a fixed schedule.
When no database or backend processing is required.
For small projects like informational websites.

For real-world applications, dynamic pages using PHP, Python, or Node.js are preferred.

PHP Example: Fetching Train Details between two stations

With only HTML pages we will need thousands of pages for trains between stations.

But using a server side scripting language we can completely reduce the requirements of the same.W

We take input from user from a HTML from for Origin and Destination
This is submitted to and processed by a server side scripting language like PHP
- This script is used to fetch the relevant data from a database
- And display it as a suitable table to the user.

HTML Form (index.html) – User Input

This allows users to search for trains between Mumbai and Delhi or any other stations.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Search Train (India)</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h2>Find Trains Between Stations</h2>
    <form action="fetch_train.php" method="POST">
        <label>From:</label>
        <input type="text" name="source" placeholder="Enter Source (e.g., Mumbai)" required>
        <label>To:</label>
        <input type="text" name="destination" placeholder="Enter Destination (e.g., Delhi)" required>
        <button type="submit">Search</button>
    </form>
</body>
</html>

Users enter the source and destination (e.g., Mumbai to Delhi).
Form submits to fetch_train.php for processing.

PHP Script (fetch_train.php) – Fetching Train Data

<?php
// Database Connection
$conn = new mysqli("localhost", "dbuser", "dbuserpasswd", "railways_timetable");

// Check Connection
if ($conn->connect_error) {
    die("Connection failed: " . $conn->connect_error);
}

// Get user input
$source = $_POST['source'];
$destination = $_POST['destination'];

// Prevent SQL Injection
$source = $conn->real_escape_string($source);
$destination = $conn->real_escape_string($destination);

// Query to Fetch Trains Between Stations
$sql = "SELECT train_number, train_name, departure_time, arrival_time, source, destination FROM trains 
        WHERE source LIKE '%$source%' AND destination LIKE '%$destination%'";

$result = $conn->query($sql);

if ($result->num_rows > 0) {
    echo "<h2>Available Trains from $source to $destination</h2>";
    while ($row = $result->fetch_assoc()) {
        echo "<p><strong>Train No:</strong> " . $row["train_number"] . "</p>";
        echo "<p><strong>Train Name:</strong> " . $row["train_name"] . "</p>";
        echo "<p><strong>Departure:</strong> " . $row["departure_time"] . "</p>";
        echo "<p><strong>Arrival:</strong> " . $row["arrival_time"] . "</p>";
        echo "<p><strong>Source:</strong> " . $row["source"] . "</p>";
        echo "<p><strong>Destination:</strong> " . $row["destination"] . "</p>";
        echo "<hr>";
    }
} else {
    echo "<p>No trains found between $source and $destination.</p>";
}

// Close Database Connection
$conn->close();
?>

Sample Train Data (Indian Railways – Mumbai to Delhi)

Train No.	Train Name	Departure (Mumbai)	Arrival (Delhi)	Source	Destination
12951	Mumbai Rajdhani Express	17:00	08:35	Mumbai	Delhi
22209	Mumbai CSMT - Hazrat Nizamuddin AC Duronto Express	23:05	15:35	Mumbai CSMT	Hazrat Nizamuddin
12953	August Kranti Rajdhani Express	17:10	09:45	Mumbai Central	Delhi
22221	Mumbai Bandra Terminus - Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express	16:40	10:30	Bandra Terminus	Hazrat Nizamuddin
12471	Swaraj Express	07:55	04:10	Mumbai	Delhi

How This Works

User enters the source and destination (e.g., Mumbai to Delhi).
PHP queries the database to find trains matching these stations.
Results are displayed dynamically, including train name, number, and timings.

Why This is Better Than Static HTML

Real-time search → Can fetch any train between any two cities.
Database-driven → Stores thousands of train records efficiently.
Scalable → Can be expanded to include seat availability, ticket booking, and PNR status.

This is a real-world example of how server-side scripting (PHP + MySQL) powers dynamic web applications!

HTML is a markup language that structures web content but cannot process user requests. Server-side scripting languages generate dynamic content and interact with databases, making modern web applications possible.

Main category

Web Development