Basic understanding for php variables and values

I so much believe that after this article, you will be able to write php statement that can store data/values inside variables and you can also execute them to achieve your desire results.

Before we start writing our first line of codes, I will explain to you the things that are allowed and the things not allow when storing value inside variables.

We know that a lot of programming languages does restrict programmers from just giving variables any name, programming language like Java, want the developer to tell the language on what the variable will hold.

For example, if a variable to contain users password, you must specified that with the name you will give the variable, but unlike php, you are free to give any variable any name of your choice as the developer.

 

Php variables rules:

1.   You can give your variable any name of your choice

2.   Variables can hold both number and text

3.   Double quotes is must for any variable that will hold text

4.   A variable must start with dollar symbol ($)

5.   Sime colon is used at the end every variable

Now that we know the basic rules for variables, it is time we start going into practice. We’ll store a word inside a variable and execute it to outcome.

First thing to write out our php opening and closing tags, and then in between them, we write the rest of our codes.

Related articles:

How to create web app chat system from scratch

How to build php users registration system

How to know the difference between programming and web development

 

Example;

<?php

          $example1 = “hi Jerry!”;

          Echo  $example1;

?>

As you can see on the above, I did not do anything concerning database connection because we’re not working with DB.

First line I named a variable “example1” using a dollar symbol to mark it as a variable, then secondly, I echo out the result, which says “Hi Jerry!”.

You too can try it and give me feedback.

Again, we’re going to try another example and this time around, we’ll store numeric inside the variable instead of text.

 

Example;

<?php

          $example2 = 2026;

          Echo  $example2;

?>

 

As you can see, there is no much differences in both. Example1 uses double quotes, while example2 does not use a quote.

If you’ve read through our article on how to send users information into php DB, then storing html form input data inside php variable will never be a problem.

But I will give you a tip on how to get it done. I will not take you through creating html form. So I hope you already have your form with input fields all working. Let’s get started_­­!

 

Example;

<?php

$username = ($_POST["username"]);

?>

In the above example, I created a variable name as “$username” and assigned the username input field into it. Now you need to pass whatever information inside that username input field into the php database using the variable name.

Related articles:

How to create web app chat system from scratch

How to build php users registration system

How to know the difference between programming and web development

If you still finding it difficult to send any information to your database, then you can read our post on the steps to allow users to information to DB.

Note: you must secure the input field so users can’t send just anyhow information into your database.

If you don’t security major in place, bad guys can access your site backend information.

Practice on using valuable to run php if statement

Since you just learn how to use valuable inside (php if statement). We’re going to store data inside the valuable, then compare if within the if statement and then echo out the result per base on if the if statement is true or false.

We’ll create a text type able box and we’ll use the data a visitor or user will type in.  After creating the text type able box, we will fetch the data from the text box and store it in a php valuable, and lastly use the valuable that is containing the data, compare the data with (php if statement), then execute the end result.

Let’s dive into the coding aspect. Check the first html code below to understand how the input box can be created.

<input type=”password” name=”text-box” id=”TB” />

So the code you are seeing above is just html text input field. I set the type to password, name as text-box, and lastly I assigned “TB” as the id just in case you prefer to give it a nice look. Continue reading as we’re about stepping into the fun part of it all.

Example for php valuable;

<?php

$text_box = ($_POST[“text-box”]);

?>

As you can see from the above code, I get hold of the text box name and assigned it into a valuable name “$text_box”. Now whatsoever data a user type inside the text box, the (php if statement) will check trough to know the result to give.

php if statement example below;

<?php

If($text_box < 8)

{

echo ”Your password must exceed 8 characters!”;

}else

{

echo “Your password reach required characters!”;

}

?>

This is a very simple coding tip. Even new developers can easily build something like this.

Note: I did not build the complete html form. It is better you have this at the back your mind, you should have a submit button to call the action.

So if any user enter just six characters and hit the submit button, the system error, but if the user type in more than eight characters, the system will push out appreciation message.

The php if else simply instruct the computer to first check the (if statement) to see if the requirement is reach or not. The else statement is what comes after the (if statement).

Beyond these if and else statements, there is more to what you can use the php valuable to do. All you need to do is to think outside the box on how or what you can use the valuable to build.

happy learning and coding life!