Web Programming-I Notes
Subject Overview
The first course in the Full Stack Development elective stream, introducing server-side scripting with PHP — syntax, control structures and functions, form handling, arrays/
Subject at a glance
3
Units
26
Topics
2
Credits
3
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
3 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Server-side scripting overview
- PHP syntax
- variables
- constants
- data types
- expressions
- operators
- control structures (if, else, switch, loops)
- functions
- handling HTML forms with GET and POST
- embedding PHP into HTML
- 1Request
Browser asks for page.php
- 2Execute
Server runs the PHP code
- 3Generate
PHP outputs HTML
- 4Respond
Browser receives plain HTML
Study guide
PHP is a server-side language that builds web pages dynamically. You learn how server-side scripting works, PHP syntax, variables, constants, data types, expressions, operators, control structures, functions, how to handle HTML forms with GET and POST and how to embed PHP into HTML. Understand the difference between what runs on the server and what runs in the browser.
- Indexed
- associative and multidimensional arrays
- array functions (sorting, merging, searching)
- string manipulation and formatting functions
- file handling (open, read, write, append, delete)
- file uploads
- cookies and sessions
Stored on
User's browser
Server
Security
Visible and editable by the user
Safer; only an ID sits in the browser
Lifetime
Until expiry date
Until logout or timeout
Typical use
Remember preferences
Keep a user logged in
Study guide
Here you work with collections and persistent data: indexed, associative and multidimensional arrays and array functions for sorting, merging and searching, string manipulation and formatting, file handling (open, read, write, append, delete), file uploads, and cookies and sessions to remember users between pages. Sessions are how login systems work, so practise them well.
- Introduction to server-side programming with Node.js or PHP
- Express.js routing
- handling GET/POST requests
- session and cookie management
- introduction to MySQL/PostgreSQL/MongoDB
- CRUD operations
- connecting backend to database
- JSON and REST APIs
Create
POST
INSERT
Read
GET
SELECT
Update
PUT / PATCH
UPDATE
Delete
DELETE
DELETE
Study guide
This unit introduces backend development more broadly: server-side programming with Node.js or PHP, Express.js routing, handling GET and POST requests, session and cookie management, an introduction to MySQL, PostgreSQL and MongoDB, CRUD operations, connecting the backend to a database, and JSON and REST APIs. Build a small CRUD application end to end; it ties the whole unit together.
Why Web Programming-I Matters
Backend skills let you build real web applications with logins, databases and APIs. PHP and Node.js power a large share of the web, and CRUD with REST APIs is the foundation of most full-stack developer roles.
How to Prepare for Web Programming-I
- Build a small CRUD app with a database before the exam.
- Always validate and sanitise form input to understand basic web security.
- Learn the difference between GET and POST and between cookies and sessions.
Web Programming-I: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GET and POST?
GET sends data in the URL and is used for retrieving information, while POST sends data in the request body and is used for submitting forms and changing data.
What is CRUD?
CRUD stands for Create, Read, Update and Delete, the four basic operations of any database-backed application.