when i download it, then try a code the simple

<?php echo "Hello World" ?>


it wont show as anything.

Do i need a server to use php, even to test?

Yes.
You need a server that supports php.

If you have Windows XP Professional, and the disc, you can go to control panel, then add/remove programs, then add/remove windows components, and you check the box that says IIS, and click next (while disc is inserted) it will install the IIS server, so you can use PHP, though you may need to install it on IIS. You can also get apache:

http://www.apache.org/

:D

I believe we already told him about home servers in another post.

Oh, thats the same person? Sorry about that, I didn't relize.. :(

are any of yall familiar with 100webspace.com? i joined there, do i need to do anything there to make php available?

No.

Just make a simple script like

<?php

function test()
{
$stuff = "Testing PHP";
return $stuff";
}

echo test();
?>

Save as test.php
Upload it to your site and check it.

Sorry I made a syntax error

<?php

function test()
{
$stuff = "Testing PHP";
return $stuff;
}

echo test();
?>

http://bilcig.mybesthost.com/php.php


so it would say

Testing PHP

cause then it works, it showed up

Now read some PHP tutorials and test them out.
http://www.zend.com/php/beginners/

i got php working

thanks yall :)