What is PHP?

[the bard]

php.ini has suddenly appeared as a file on my computer. Excuse my ignorance, but what is it and do I need it?

[Markus]

php.ini is the configuration file used for when PHP is started.

It randomly appeared?
Are you a PHP developer?

[Markus]

I now realise my answer might not have been to informative.

What is PHP?
PHP stands for PHP: Hypertext Pre-Processor. See your webpage? It's most likely used PHP to create it. PHP is a programming language.

And do I need it?
Not unless you plan on developing with PHP.

:)

[Atli]

And do I need it?
Not unless you plan on developing with PHP.

Or if any of the software you use happens to be written in PHP.

PHP is an interpreted programming language, so any software written in PHP will need to have the PHP interpreter installed, which stores it's configuration in the php.ini file.

[coolsti]

Interesting point: could php.ini just suddenly appear on a computer without the user knowingly and willingly installing PHP, either directly or as a component in a web server?

[the bard]

Programming - any programming - is a complete no-no to me! I developed my website using Serif WebPlus which involved no technical expertise on my part. I am trying to create a programme using Access VBA to replace an old DOS-based programme. I have created the forms, tables etc (eventually) but am now struggling with necessary code to perform calculations. Could PHP be connected with VBA?

[Atli]

Could PHP be connected with VBA?

Given Micro$oft's war on open-source, I highly doubt that.

That Serif WebPlus thing does sound like something that would use PHP tho. That is probably what installed PHP on your system.

[Atli]

Interesting point: could php.ini just suddenly appear on a computer without the user knowingly and willingly installing PHP, either directly or as a component in a web server?

It could be installed when you install an application that depends on it to function. It's pretty common practise for installers to set up runtime enviroments and other resources needed for the application it is installing.