What is PHP:
PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor. It is an open source server side programming language which is used to create responsive and interactive web pages and websites. PHP is used to write and execute scripts on web servers. A PHP script can contain HTML, CSS and JavaScript codes and when the script is to be saved, it is saved with a .php extension.

PHP Web Architecture:
PHP codes are executed on a web server after which the result of the executed code is returned in html format i.e. when a user makes a request that is interactive or responsive in nature, php takes that request to the web server and looks for the particular script that is to process such a request and after the request is being processed, its result is returned to the user in html format.

Overview of PHP Platform:
PHP can be used to generate dynamic page content, create, open, read, write, delete, and close files on the server. It can also be used to collect form data, can send and receive cookies, modify data in a database, control user-access and can also enable a user to encrypt data.

Origin of PHP in the Open Source Community:
PHP was developed by Rasmus Lerdorf and it's first version was released in 1994. It started out as a small open source project that transformed over time as more and more people found out how useful it was.

Why we use PHP?:
PHP runs on multiple platforms such as (Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS X, etc.), it is compatible with almost all servers used today (Apache, IIS, etc.), it supports a variety of databases, it is free to use and very easy to learn.

PHP's Strengths:
It is used by "WordPress", the core of the biggest blogging system on the web.
It is deep enough to run "Facebook", the largest social network on the web.
It is very easy for a beginner to learn as his/her first server side programming language.

Installing as a module for Apache Web Server:
Apache web server is an open source web server which is widely used on the web toady. it comprises of a number of software technologies, thereby making it easy for web developers to just download and use the Apache software bundle without going through the stress of configuring the individual software's they need for their web development. It comprises of a number of software's among which are PHP, My SQL, Maria DB and many more...