PHP Tutorials
Building an Ajax Chat Application
A step-by-step guide to constructing a simple Messenger-style application with PHP and Ajax, from sending a message to setting up real-time conversation.
What this tutorial covers
The guide walks through a small chat interface and the PHP code behind it. It is organised into three parts: sending a message, setting up real-time behaviour for the conversation, and a closing summary.
It sits within the PHP Tutorials section of the site, alongside other written guides on operators, form validation, and individual PHP functions.
The three parts of the guide
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1
Sending a message
Build the chat interface, write the Ajax request that submits a message, and write the PHP side that handles the incoming data.
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2
Setting up real time
Configure the conversation so new messages appear without a full page reload, keeping the exchange flowing.
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3
Closing notes
A short wrap-up of the finished application and the pieces that make it work together.
Skills you will practise
- Building a chat interface with a message list and an input area.
- Implementing Ajax for sending and receiving messages.
- Writing PHP to process the submitted data.
- Setting up real-time communication for the conversation.
This is a written tutorial rather than a video lesson. If you are starting out, the free Level 1 video is a good place to pick up the PHP basics first.
Continue with related guides on form validation and Level 2, which combines PHP and MySQL using object-oriented programming.
Keep learning
Questions about the tutorial can be raised in the community forum, where learners ask questions and share knowledge about PHP programming.