Alternative PHP uses
As you probably know, PHP is a recursive acronym for "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor", so why should a product designed for the web ever stray from its original goal? Quite simple, because PHP is cool, and if I could use PHP to do everything , I'd certainly give it a try, if only for the challenge!
In this chapter we're going to be looking at other uses you can put PHP to in order to extend its usefulness. One key thing to remember is that you can use what you have learnt so far wherever else you use PHP, but you will find as you read on that there is a lot of specific information to absorb about individual uses.
Hopefully this chapter will inspire you to try to transfer your PHP skills to other areas - it is a big world out there!
The topics covered in this chapter are:
How to use PHP to write shell scripts
How the CLI SAPI differs from "normal" PHP
Interacting with the dialog program to create command-line user interfaces
Using GTK+ to create graphical user interfaces
Using Glade to automatically generate GTK+ GUIs
Making text-based games with PHP
Making graphical games with PHP and SDL
Creating your own miniature language with PHP
Chapter contents 21.1. What else can be done with PHP?
21.2. Command-line scripting
21.2.1. Why use shell scripts?
21.2.2. CLI SAPI differences
21.2.3. Your first CLI script
21.2.4. Advanced command-line parsing
21.2.5. Getting down and dirty
21.2.6. Getting into the swing of things
21.2.7. Sending code direct to PHP
21.2.8. The grand finale
21.2.9. CLI Conclusion
21.3. Graphical user interfaces
21.3.1. Getting started
21.3.2. GUI toolkits
21.3.3. A Basic GUI
21.3.4. Multiple Windows
21.3.5. Handling popup menus
21.3.6. Advanced GUIs
21.3.7. Using Custom Parameters
21.3.8. GUI Themes
21.3.9. Distributing your apps
21.3.10. Graphical Interfaces Conclusion
21.4. Making games
21.4.1. Text-based world planning
21.4.2. Text game v1
21.4.3. Getting graphical
21.4.4. Getting it to work
21.4.5. First steps
21.4.6. Moving our sprite
21.4.7. Clearing the screen
21.4.8. Last tweaks
21.4.9. Games conclusion
21.5. Making your own language
21.5.1. Why make your own language?
21.5.2. The elements of a compiler
21.5.3. Analysis
21.5.4. Output
21.5.5. Planning it out
21.5.6. How to parse text into tokens
21.5.7. What is a token?
21.5.8. How parsing works
21.5.9. Finally, execution
21.5.10. If you have made it this far...
21.5.11. Operator precedence
21.5.12. The script in (almost) full
21.5.13. Mini-language conclusion
21.6. Summary
21.7. Further reading
21.8. Next chapter
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Jump to: Alternative PHP uses What else can be done with PHP? Command-line scripting Why use shell scripts? CLI SAPI differences Your first CLI script Advanced command-line parsing Getting down and dirty Getting into the swing of things Sending code direct to PHP The grand finale CLI Conclusion Graphical user interfaces Getting started GUI toolkits A Basic GUI Multiple Windows Handling popup menus Advanced GUIs Using Custom Parameters GUI Themes Distributing your apps Graphical Interfaces Conclusion Making games Text-based world planning Text game v1 Getting graphical Getting it to work First steps Moving our sprite Clearing the screen Last tweaks Games conclusion Making your own language Why make your own language? The elements of a compiler Analysis Output Planning it out How to parse text into tokens What is a token? How parsing works Finally, execution If you have made it this far... Operator precedence The script in (almost) full Mini-language conclusion Summary Further reading Next chapter
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