Level 0 exam — PHP · GUIDINEE.COM

Exam — fresh questions

12 questions to validate getting started: what PHP is and the request → PHP → HTML cycle, a verified local environment, first scripts with Riad.
Answer everything, then click Check: your score and explanations will appear.

0.1 · Recall

1. What is PHP and where does it run?

A browser language that runs client-side A server-side language that generates HTML sent to the browser A database that stores pages A code editor like VS Code

PHP runs on the server; the visitor only receives the generated HTML.

0.1 · Application

2. Riad opens his page source in the browser: he sees only HTML, no line of PHP. Why?

The browser deleted the PHP by mistake The page never contained PHP The PHP turned into JavaScript The server executed the PHP and sent only the resulting HTML

Request → PHP → HTML cycle: only the result is sent to the client.

0.1 · Application

3. Riad must display the first name of each logged-in visitor. Why call it a dynamic page?

Because the server restarts on each request Because the HTML is generated on each request depending on the user Because the page moves on the screen by itself Because the file changes its name on each visit

The server regenerates personalized HTML on each request, instead of fixed HTML.

0.1 · Arbitration

4. Riad is offered to check passwords only in browser-side JavaScript, with no PHP control. What verdict?

Accept to go faster locally Accept: the browser is enough for security Accept if the page looks nice Refuse: the client is not controlled, security must live server-side

The user can bypass the client; sensitive matters belong to the server.

0.2 · Recall

5. What makes up a local PHP environment (AMP)?

A web server + PHP + a MySQL database, via a pack like XAMPP or Laragon A single HTML file opened with a double-click An antivirus and a printer A production server only

The pack bundles the three preconfigured blocks for developing locally.

0.2 · Application

6. Riad just installed his pack in Constantine. Which move checks that everything works?

Create info.php with phpinfo() and open it via localhost/info.php Delete the root folder Code the whole site before any test Open any file with a double-click

The PHP info page displayed proves the server executes the code.

0.2 · Application

7. Riad places bonjour.php in htdocs but opens it with a double-click from the explorer: the PHP code displays as plain text. What should he do?

Reinstall Windows Delete all PHP tags Go through the server: open the page via http://localhost/bonjour.php Rename the file to .html

Without going through localhost, no interpreter executes the code.

0.2 · Arbitration

8. Riad's site works locally but not online: an included file changes case. What diagnosis?

PHP does not support inclusions Windows ignores case but Linux respects it: case must be strict and consistent localhost is down phpMyAdmin deleted the file

Classic local/production gap: case must be exact everywhere.

0.3 · Recall

9. What happens outside and inside the tags?

Outside = executed PHP, inside = displayed HTML Both are ignored by the server Both display as plain text to the visitor Outside = HTML sent as is, inside = executed PHP

That is what makes PHP a natural templating language.

0.3 · Application

10. Riad writes echo 'Hello' without a semicolon and the error is reported on the next line. What to fix?

Add comments everywhere Delete the echo Add the semicolon at the end of the faulty statement (previous line) Only change editor

The forgotten semicolon is mistake #1; PHP often reports the line after.

0.3 · Application

11. In his template, Riad wants to display $prenom cleanly. What to choose?

PHP without tags in the middle of HTML A comment instead of the display The short syntax with escaped data An SQL calculation in the HTML

Short syntax = concise echo for views, with data escaping.

0.3 · Arbitration

12. Riad's page mixes SQL queries and HTML over 300 unreadable lines. What verdict?

Restructure: logic first, display afterwards — avoid spaghetti code Delete all comments to lighten Put everything in a single echo line Continue: the more mixed, the better

Separating logic and display keeps code readable and maintainable.

What's next?

Score ≥ 80%: move to Level 1 — language basics (variables, conditions, loops, functions, arrays).
Score between 50% and 80%: review the failed section(s) (0.1 cycle, 0.2 environment, 0.3 syntax), reread the explanations above, then retake the test.
Score < 50%: reread all of level 0, applying each 48h challenge (browser source, info.php via localhost, bonjour.php with first name) before retrying.
And next? Keep your Riad bonjour.php: level 1 enriches it with variables, conditions and loops.