Key difference: PHP is a server-side scripting language that has its main implementation in web development. However, it can be used as a general-purpose programming language. MySQL, on the other hand, is an open source relational database management system (RDBMS). MySQL is a popular choice of database for use in web applications.

PHP is a server-side scripting language that has its main implementation in web development. However, it can be used as a general-purpose programming language. PHP was originally created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1995 and it is currently managed by The PHP Group. PHP originally stood for Personal Home Page, however it was later renamed. It now stands for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, a recursive acronym. PHP is free software released under the PHP License, as is incompatible with the GNU General Public License (GPL) due to restrictions on the usage of the term PHP.

PHP is an open source, server-side, HTML embedded scripting language. It can basically perform any task that other CGI programs can, but it is mainly used to create dynamic Web pages. Its main advantage is that it is compatible with many types of databases. Furthermore, PHP can talk across networks using IMAP, SNMP, NNTP, POP3, or HTTP.

PHP includes a command-line interface capability and can be used in standalone graphical applications. PHP commands can be embedded directly into an HTML source document rather than calling an external file to process data. In the HTML document, the PHP script is enclosed within special PHP tags. Due to these tags, the programmer can alternate between HTML and PHP instead of having to rely on heavy amounts of code to output HTML. Also, as PHP is executed on the server, the client cannot view the PHP code.

MySQL, on the other hand, is an open source relational database management system (RDBMS). MySQL is officially pronounced as "My S-Q-L", but it is also called "My Sequel". It is named after co-founder Michael Widenius' daughter, My. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. MySQL is the world's most used RDBMS, and runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases. MySQL was owned and sponsored by a single for-profit firm, the Swedish company MySQL AB, which is now owned by Oracle Corporation.

MySQL is a popular choice of database for use in web applications. It is a central component of the widely used ‘LAMP’ open source web application software stack, as well as other AMP stacks. LAMP stands for "Linux, Apache, MySQL, Perl/PHP/Python." MySQL is often used by free-software-open source projects that require a full-featured database management system, such as TYPO3, Joomla, WordPress, phpBB, MyBB, Drupal, etc. MySQL is also used in many high-profile, large-scale World Wide Web products, including Wikipedia, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Nokia.com, and YouTube.

The main difference between PHP and MySQL is that PHP is a scripting language, whereas MySQL is a relational database management system. They are two completely different things and hence are used for two different purposes.

As stated, PHP is a server-side scripting language. A server-side scripting language allows the user to embed little programs or scripts into the HTML of a Web page. In executing, such scripts allow the user to control what will actually appear in the browser window. These scripts more flexible than what is possible using straight HTML.

MySQL, on other hand, is a RDBMS, which allows the integration of a database either on the web or on a server. It can often be used in collaboration with PHP or other scripting languages such as JavaScript.

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