What is the primary purpose of PHP?

The primary purpose of PHP is to serve as a server-side scripting language for web development. PHP enables the creation of dynamic web pages by processing scripts on the server before the page is sent to the client’s browser. This allows developers to interact with databases, generate HTML code based on user input, and produce content that can be customized in real-time, creating a more engaging user experience.

Server-side scripting is essential in modern web applications, where functionality such as user authentication, form submission processing, and data retrieval from databases need to occur securely and efficiently on the server. By executing scripts on the server, PHP can protect sensitive data, manage sessions, and leverage server resources effectively.

The other options do not accurately describe PHP's core functionality. While PHP can be used to manage databases and can be part of desktop applications in combination with other technologies, its primary domain remains server-side scripting for dynamic web development. Similarly, PHP is not designed as a client-side scripting language, which typically involves technologies like JavaScript that execute in the user's browser.