The provided set of questions and corresponding answers can act as a foundational resource to evaluate the aptitude and compatibility of potential candidates when hiring PHP developers for your organization.
1.
Explain the concept of a PHP session and differentiate it from a cookie. Where is session data saved in PHP?
A session in PHP refers to storing user-specific data against a unique session ID. This ID is typically conveyed to the browser via a session cookie. While cookies store data in the user's browser, session data is stored on the server. If the necessary file isn't found, PHP triggers a fatal error. In comparison, include() generates a warning without halting script execution. require_once and include_once are used to include files only once in a script.
2.
What is the difference between include and require in PHP?
Both include and require are used to include and evaluate external PHP files. The main difference is error handling. "Include" continues script execution with a warning if the file is not found while require halts execution with a fatal error. "Require" is preferred when the included file is essential for script functionality.
3.
What are the different types of errors in PHP, and how do they affect script execution?
PHP errors can be categorized into four types: parse errors, fatal errors, warning errors, and notice errors. Parse errors occur due to syntax issues and halt script execution. Fatal errors arise when PHP understands the code but can't execute the task. Warning errors don't stop script execution and typically relate to missing files or incorrect function arguments. Notice errors, similar to warnings, don't halt execution and often involve undefined variables.
4.
How can you prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities in PHP?
Prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities using prepared statements or parameterized queries. These separate SQL code from user input, preventing malicious code injection. The database engine can distinguish between SQL code and user data by binding input values to placeholders in the SQL statement, preventing unauthorized SQL operations.
5.
Differentiate between the unset() and unlink() functions in PHP.
In PHP, unlink() removes files from the file system. It's helpful when you want to delete a file, like an uploaded file. On the other hand, unset() is used for variable management. It renders a variable undefined, freeing up memory occupied by the variable.