Building Web Applications in PHP (Coursera)

Building Web Applications in PHP (Coursera)

In this course, you'll explore the basic structure of a web application, and how a web browser interacts with a web server. You'll be introduced to the request/response cycle, including GET/POST/Redirect. You'll also gain an introductory understanding of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), as well as the basic syntax and data structures of the PHP language, variables, logic, iteration, arrays, error handling, and superglobal variables, among other elements.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

An introduction to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) will allow you to style markup for webpages. Lastly, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to install and use an integrated PHP/MySQL environment like XAMPP or MAMP.
Course 1 of 4 in the Web Applications for Everybody Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction to Dynamic Web Content
We look at the basic structure of a web application and how a web browser interacts with a web server. We explore the Request-Response Cycle that is the basis of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

WEEK 2
HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
We briefly cover the basics of the HyperText Markup Language (HTML) that is the markup for web pages. We hope that you already have some expertise in HTML and that this is mostly review.

WEEK 3
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
We briefly cover the basics of cascading Style Sheets (CSS) that allow us to style the markup for web pages.

WEEK 4
Installing PHP and SQL
Our first technical task is to work through the installation steps including installing a text editor, installing MAMP or XAMPP (or equivalent), creating a MySql Database, and writing a PHP program.

WEEK 5
Introduction to PHP
We begin learning PHP.

WEEK 6
PHP Arrays
We look at unique aspects of arrays in the PHP language.

WEEK 7
PHP Functions
We look at unique aspects of functions in PHP.

WEEK 8
PHP and HTML Forms
We look at how HTML forms are created and processed in the PHP language.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Build a Mobile App with Firebase (Coursera) Coursera
Scrimba

Build a Mobile App with Firebase (Coursera)

e.g. This is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in engineering or science, along wiUnlock Your App Development Potential: Creating a Feature-Rich Shopping List App. Are you ready to turn your visionary app ideas into reality? If your answer is a resounding 'YES,' then this course is your gateway to a transformative journey. In this meticulously designed course, we will guide you through the creation of a sophisticated shopping list app using a powerful tech stack, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Firebase. Leveraging Firebase's real-time database capabilities, you'll learn how to store and manage data seamlessly.

Oct 26th 2026
1 Week
Building Database Applications in PHP (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Building Database Applications in PHP (Coursera)

In this course, we'll look at the object oriented patterns available in PHP. You'll learn how to connect to a MySQL using the Portable Data Objects (PDO) library and issue SQL commands in the the PHP language. We'll also look at how PHP uses cookies and manages session data. You'll learn how PHP avoids double posting data, how flash messages are implemented, and how to use a session to log in users in web applications.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Software Security for Web Applications (Coursera) Coursera
Codio

Software Security for Web Applications (Coursera)

Explore software security for web applications concepts without installing anything! This course is designed for intermediate learners, providing a solid foundation of common skills in software security. Learners will build an understanding of some of the most common software security techniques currently employed. The modules in this course cover front-end security, back-end security, as well as passwords and authentication. At the end of the course, learners will be able to directly implement security techniques they've learned to their own softwares.

Oct 26th 2026
3 Weeks
Computational Thinking with JavaScript 3:Organise & Interact (Coursera) Coursera
University of Glasgow

Computational Thinking with JavaScript 3:Organise & Interact (Coursera)

This third course in the Computational Thinking with JavaScript specialization applies your developing JavaScript skills learned in the first two courses to the world of the web. You will learn how HTML and JavaScript together support the web pages with which we are so familiar, and develop skills so that you can create your own. As well as text presentation, at the heart of HTML, you will learn how to develop interactive, animated graphics, using JavaScript to dynamically add, remove and adjust the HTML objects on the screen.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Learn UI Design Fundamentals (Coursera) Coursera
Scrimba

Learn UI Design Fundamentals (Coursera)

The ability to create stunning user interfaces is a skill any frontend developer will benefit from, whether you're in a team, a consultant, or want to build your own projects. This course will teach you the seven fundamentals that underpin any beautiful and effective user interface. Through lectures and interactive exercises, you'll discover the skills you need in order to build UIs that both look amazing and feel great to use. You will build everything in the browser using HTML and CSS, and put your new skills to the test many times throughout the course!

Nov 2nd 2026
1 Week
HTML & CSS Crash Course (Coursera) Coursera
Scrimba

HTML & CSS Crash Course (Coursera)

Are you interested in delving into the realm of web development but find yourself unsure of where to start? Do you aspire to acquire the skills needed to build your own websites? Have previous attempts to grasp HTML and CSS through conventional courses left you disinterested or overwhelmed? If your response aligns with a resounding "YES" to any of these inquiries, then this course is perfectly tailored to meet your needs!

Nov 2nd 2026
1 Week
Computational Social Science Methods (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Davis

Computational Social Science Methods (Coursera)

This course gives you an overview of the current opportunities and the omnipresent reach of computational social science. The results are all around us, every day, reaching from the services provided by the world’s most valuable companies, over the hidden influence of governmental agencies, to the power of social and political movements. All of them study human behavior in order to shape it. In short, all of them do social science by computational means.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Introducción al desarrollo web (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de los Andes

Introducción al desarrollo web (Coursera)

Este curso te proporcionará los conceptos básicos para iniciarte en el fascinante mundo de la Ingeniería de Software para aplicaciones web. Abordaremos los conceptos fundamentales de estructura, contenido y presentación de una página web, para luego centrarnos en la sintaxis del lenguaje de marcas HTML y en el uso de las etiquetas para crear títulos, párrafos, listas, enlaces, imágenes y formularios.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks