Can php be used as an application?

First of all, the answer is yes - It is absolutely possible.

[First] Two program running modes, command line program and form program: (Recommended learning: PHP video tutorial)

1. In the PHP installation program directory, there is a PHP.exe, which can run independently and parse PHP code. With the support of this application, PHP code can be run like a .net program with the support of PHP.exe. The official introduction says: "PHP's command line mode can make PHP scripts completely independent of the web." The server runs alone".

2. Let’s talk about form applications, PHP has an extension that facilitates the development of Windows forms. The extension is called WinBinder. WinBinder encapsulates a large number of Windows APIs. You can easily use PHP to develop them by just calling them. Windows Forms program.

WinBinder is just an extension, small in size, light in weight, and fast to run. However, because it seems to be an individual-led development, there are many shortcomings at present;

3 . In addition to using the above extensions for PHP desktop applications, PHP also has a sub-project called PHP-GTK, which is also dedicated to using PHP to develop desktop applications. It is directly affiliated with the official, but due to unknown reasons, as of 2008 , no new version has appeared, but it is more mature and stable than WinBinder.

[Second] Compare it with languages ​​that are conventionally considered capable of developing desktop programs:

Languages ​​like C# and Java, in fact, they are Only with the support of a background service like php.exe can its program be executed in this environment. For example, if you develop a form application based on .net 4.0, if you want to run it, you must install .net 4.0 support.

At the same time, .net supports form development. There are a large number of form controls that have been developed in advance by language providers for you to choose from. You don’t have to develop them yourself. You can use them directly by just calling them. .

After PHP loads the WinBinder module, its principle is basically the same as the above situation.

[Third] The prospects of developing desktop applications with PHP

The development of desktop programs with PHP is relatively niche, so PHP is widely used in desktop application development It appears to be weak.

The prospects are far inferior to programs such as C#, but for PHP programmers, it is perfectly fine to provide this kind of desktop application for their own use, or as a program used by some units to develop independent software and special functions. of.

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