Top 20 PHP interview questions and answers for freshers

To help you out, we have compiled a list of the top 20 PHP interview questions and answers.

1. What is PHP, and what does it stand for?

PHP stands for Hypertext Pre-processor. It is a server-side scripting language used for developing web applications.

2. What are the benefits of using PHP?

Some of the benefits of using PHP include its ease of use, flexibility, and ability to integrate with other technologies. It also has a large community of developers and a vast collection of open-source libraries and frameworks.

3. What is a session in PHP?

A session is a way to store information on the server side that can be accessed across different pages of a website. In PHP, sessions are created using the session start () function.

4. What the difference is between include and require in PHP?

Include and require are two PHP functions used for including files in a PHP script. The main difference is that require will generate a fatal error if the file is not found, while include will only generate a warning.

5. What is the difference between GET and POST methods in PHP?

The GET method sends data through the URL, while the POST method sends data through the HTTP request body. GET is generally used for retrieving data, while POST is used for submitting data.

6. What is the difference between include() and require() in PHP?

The include() statement includes a file and generates a warning if the file is not found, while the require() statement includes a file and generates a fatal error if the file is not found.

7. What are a session and cookie in PHP?

A session is a way to store information about a user on the server between requests. It allows you to keep track of user data such as login information, preferences, and shopping cart items. A cookie is a small piece of data that is stored on the user's computer by the web server. It is used to remember user preferences and to keep users logged in between sessions.

8. What is the difference between a local and a global variable in PHP?

A local variable is defined within a function and can only be accessed within that function, while a global variable is defined outside of any function and can be accessed throughout the entire script.

9. What is an array and function in PHP?

An array is a data structure that stores multiple values under a single variable name. It can hold values of any data type, and its elements can be accessed by their index. A function is a block of code that performs a specific task. It can be called multiple times throughout the script and can accept parameters and return values.

10. What is the difference between a class, an object, and Construction in PHP?

A class is a blueprint for creating objects, while an object is an instance of a class. In PHP, classes are created using the class keyword, and objects are created using the new keyword. A constructor is a special function that is called when an object is created. It is used to initialize the object's properties and can accept parameters.

11. What are an interface and inheritance in PHP?

An interface is a blueprint for a class. It defines a set of methods that the class must implement. Inheritance is a mechanism that allows a class to inherit properties and methods from another class. It is used to create a hierarchy of classes that share common attributes and behavior.

12. What are polymorphism and MVC architecture in PHP?

Polymorphism is a concept that allows objects of different classes to be treated as if they were of the same class. It is achieved through inheritance and interfaces. MVC stands for Model-View-Controller. It is an architectural pattern used for designing web applications. The model represents the data, the view represents the user interface and the controller handles user input and manages the interaction between the model and view.

13. What are PDO and namespace in PHP?

PDO stands for PHP Data Objects. It is a database abstraction layer that provides a consistent interface for working with different database systems. A namespace is a way to group related classes, functions, and constants together to avoid naming conflicts. It allows you to use the same name for different elements in different namespaces.

14. What is a trait of PHP?

A trait in PHP is a way to reuse code across multiple classes, allowing for the addition of functionality without inheritance.

15. What is the difference between PHP and HTML?

HTML is a markup language used for creating static web pages, while PHP is a server-side scripting language that enables the creation of dynamic web pages.

16. What is a PHP file and how is it executed?

A PHP file is a text file that contains PHP code. It is executed on the server side, meaning that the server processes the code and returns the output to the client side.

17. What is a namespace in PHP?

A namespace is a way to group related classes, functions, and constants in PHP. It helps to avoid naming conflicts and makes code more organized.

18. What is the difference between strpos() and strstr() in PHP?

strpos() and strstr() are two PHP functions used for searching for a substring within a string. The main difference is that strpos() returns the position of the substring, while strstr() returns the substring.

19. What is the difference between include and require in PHP?

Include and require are two PHP functions used for including files in a PHP script. The main difference is that require will generate a fatal error if the file is not found, while include will only generate a warning.

20. What is a variable and debugging in PHP?

A variable is a container that holds a value. In PHP, variables are declared using the $ symbol, followed by the variable name. Debugging is the process of finding and fixing errors in a PHP script. It can be done using various tools and techniques, such as print statements, error logs, and debugging software.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PHP is a powerful language that is widely used in web development. By understanding these top 20 PHP interview questions and answers, you will be better equipped to impress potential employers and land your dream job in this field.