Everyone who wants to practice PHP cant begin just by opening up notepad>Type php codes>Saving it as.php then viewing .
No it wont work. Infact, your browser wont recognize it as "it doesnot have the knowledge of php"

You can always setup a localhost server where you test your files offline/online on your computer directly.
OR
You can always setup a globalhost server where you find a host supporting PHP.

Features that you should look for in a host:
-CronJobs(optional but usually recommended) :
Cron Jobs are scripts processed at set intervals of time. Suppose on a php made game on a cron-supporting host, i want to run a life-giving script but i dont want to visit the script every day or hour. So cron jobs give you options in which you can run scripts at seconds,minutes,hours,days,months,years...etc
Ways it can be used:
:::In games..etc for setting ticks for resetting or deleting or updating..etc:::
:::In Corporate Websites, where it can be used for repairing database tables which have overhead.:::
Many other ways also in which it can be used.

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-Php/Mysql Support
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-Good Interface
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-User-Friendly and Active Customer Support


And many other things to look for in a host.


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When setting up a local server, you have to go through the pains of downloading:
-Mysql:
Database
-PHP:
Tells your browser that php is a present language..etc
-Apache:
The Server for using php scripts.


All this can be saved and done in time by downloading:
WAMP : Windows Apache Mysql PHP
or
LAMP:Linux Apache Mysql PHP

Wamp/Lamp comes with 1 click installation, great support and lots of features, and all in one pack.
Best part:
Its all freeeeee!


Thats all for now. I will post more info on this soon.





-Aldo