When you use WordPress, you’re using PHP, a server-side scripting language that generates dynamic web content. Also known as Hypertext Preprocessor, it’s the engine behind every WordPress page, post, and plugin—handling everything from loading your blog to processing form submissions. Unlike static HTML, PHP runs on the server and builds pages on the fly, which is why WordPress can pull content from a database, let you log in, and update menus without touching a single file.
Most people think WordPress is just a drag-and-drop tool, but under the hood, it’s built almost entirely on PHP. WordPress themes and custom templates that control how your site looks are written in PHP mixed with HTML and CSS. Same goes for WordPress plugins, add-ons that extend functionality like contact forms or SEO tools. Without PHP, these wouldn’t work—they’d just be empty shells. You don’t need to be a PHP expert to use WordPress, but if you want to fix broken themes, tweak plugins, or build custom features, knowing even basic PHP saves you from paying developers for simple changes.
Many of the posts in this collection show how PHP connects to real-world WordPress tasks. For example, you’ll find guides on why big companies avoid PHP, how WordPress compares to hand-coded sites, and whether you need Python alongside it. These aren’t random topics—they’re all tied to how PHP behaves in practice. Some posts dive into developer salaries, which often depend on PHP skills. Others explain how to build dynamic sites, which relies on PHP to talk to databases like MySQL. Even if you’re a beginner, understanding PHP’s role helps you ask better questions, choose the right tools, and avoid being misled by claims like "WordPress needs no coding." It does. You just don’t always need to write it yourself.
What you’ll find here isn’t a PHP textbook. It’s real advice from people who’ve built, broken, and fixed WordPress sites. Whether you’re trying to customize a theme, debug a plugin, or decide if you should learn PHP at all, the posts below give you the practical stuff—no theory, no fluff, just what works.
WordPress doesn't require coding to get started, but real control means understanding PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Learn what code you actually need - and what you can skip - to build faster, cleaner sites.