---
title: "Programming Guide for the Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "03/26/2018"
ms.prod: sql
ms.prod_service: connectivity
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: connectivity
ms.topic: conceptual
ms.assetid: a7acb507-670b-4a97-92df-90f0c0b3dd32
author: David-Engel
ms.author: v-daenge
---
# Programming Guide for the Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server
[!INCLUDE[Driver_PHP_Download](../../includes/driver_php_download.md)]

This section contains topics that help you develop applications with the [!INCLUDE[ssDriverPHP](../../includes/ssdriverphp_md.md)].  
  
## In This Section  
  
|Topic|Description|  
|---------|---------------|  
|[Connecting to the Server](../../connect/php/connecting-to-the-server.md)|Describes the options and procedures for connecting to SQL Server.|  
|[Comparing Execution Functions](../../connect/php/comparing-execution-functions.md)|Compares the functions that are used to execute a query by examining different use cases for each. Specifically, this document compares executing a single query with executing a prepared query multiple times.|  
|[Direct Statement Execution and Prepared Statement Execution in the PDO_SQLSRV Driver](../../connect/php/direct-statement-execution-prepared-statement-execution-pdo-sqlsrv-driver.md)|Discusses how to use the PDO::SQLSRV_ATTR_DIRECT_QUERY attribute to specify direct statement execution instead of the default, which is  prepared statement execution.|  
|[Retrieving Data](../../connect/php/retrieving-data.md)|Examines the various ways that data can be retrieved.|  
|[Updating Data](../../connect/php/updating-data-microsoft-drivers-for-php-for-sql-server.md)|Addresses how to update data in a database by examining common use cases.|  
|[Converting Data Types](../../connect/php/converting-data-types.md)|Addresses how to specify data types and provide details on default data types.|  
|[Handling Errors and Warnings](../../connect/php/handling-errors-and-warnings.md)|Addresses how to handle errors and warnings.|  
|[Logging Activity](../../connect/php/logging-activity.md)|Provides information about logging errors and warnings.|  
|[Using Always Encrypted with the Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server](../../connect/php/using-always-encrypted-php-drivers.md)|Provides information about using Always Encrypted feature with the PHP drivers.|  
|[Security Considerations for the Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server](../../connect/php/security-considerations-for-php-sql-driver.md)|Describes security considerations for developing, deploying, and running applications.|  
  
## See Also  
[Overview of the Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server](../../connect/php/overview-of-the-php-sql-driver.md)

[Getting Started with the Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server](../../connect/php/getting-started-with-the-php-sql-driver.md)

[SQLSRV Driver API Reference](../../connect/php/sqlsrv-driver-api-reference.md)

[Constants (Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server)](../../connect/php/constants-microsoft-drivers-for-php-for-sql-server.md)

[Example Application (SQLSRV Driver)](../../connect/php/example-application-sqlsrv-driver.md)