The syntax of the PHP scripting language is most similar to which of the following languages?

Introduction / Context:
PHP is a widely used server side scripting language for web development. It was originally designed with influences from existing scripting languages and C style syntax. Understanding which languages PHP resembles syntactically can help learners transfer knowledge from one language family to another. This question asks you to identify which languages PHP syntax is most similar to.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are focusing on syntax: keywords, control structures, and punctuation, not on runtime behaviour.
• PHP uses curly braces, semicolons, and familiar control statements such as if, while, for, and switch.
• PHP evolved from Personal Home Page Tools, borrowing features from several preceding languages.
• Visual Basic and VBScript use a very different, keyword heavy syntax.

Concept / Approach:
PHP syntax strongly resembles that of C, C++, and especially Perl. It uses curly braces to delimit blocks, dollar signs for variable names, and familiar operators and control structures. For example, PHP uses constructs like if (condition) { ... } and for ($i = 0; $i < 10; $i++) { ... }, which look very similar to C or Perl code. Although PHP can interoperate with JavaScript on the client side, PHP syntax is officially documented as being inspired by C, Java, Perl, and other C style languages, with Perl being particularly close in its early days. Therefore, the correct option should highlight the similarity between PHP syntax and Perl and C style languages.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Observe that PHP uses curly braces, semicolons, and familiar operators from C like &&, ||, and ==. Step 2: Recall that Perl uses dollar signs for scalar variables, arrays, and hashes, which influenced PHP variable syntax. Step 3: Compare PHP control structures with those of Visual Basic and VBScript, which use keywords like End If or End Sub instead of braces. Step 4: Examine option c, which states that PHP syntax is most similar to Perl and C style languages, using curly braces and similar control structures. Step 5: Rule out options that list only Visual Basic, only VBScript, or exclusively JavaScript influence.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official PHP documentation often describes PHP as having syntax that is C like and Perl like. Code examples on the PHP manual site look very much like C programs, with function definitions, curly braced blocks, and familiar conditionals. Visual Basic code examples, by contrast, are line oriented and use different keywords and structure. While JavaScript also belongs to the C style family, the question specifically contrasts PHP syntax with Visual Basic and VBScript, and traditional teaching materials emphasise the Perl and C influence. This supports option c as the most accurate choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a, Visual Basic only, is incorrect because Visual Basic uses different syntax conventions, including End If and End Sub, and does not use curly braces in the same way. Option b, VBScript only, suffers from the same issues, as VBScript syntax is similar to Visual Basic and not directly mirrored in PHP. Option d claims PHP is similar exclusively to JavaScript with no influence from any other language, which ignores the strong historical and syntactic ties to C and Perl.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes overemphasise the similarity between PHP and JavaScript because both are heavily used in web development. However, PHP runs on the server side, and its syntax owes much more to Perl and C. Another pitfall is assuming that all scripting languages resemble Visual Basic if that is the first language encountered. For exam questions, remember that PHP syntax is usually described as being closest to Perl and C style languages, as in option c.

Final Answer:
The syntax of PHP is most similar to Perl and C style languages, with curly braces and similar control structures.