PHP compile time and runtime

[yellow_nemo]

In programs like C, I have to explicity compile the code (by clicking on a button or using a Unix command). Then I have to explicity run the code. So it's a two-steps process.

In php, how does that work? When a client (browser) requests a webpage with an extension of .php from a web server, the server passes that page to a php module, which then does the work accordingly and translates the php code into html to display on the client (browser). Does that mean compile time and runtime take place at the same time in the php module?

Then when a client (browser) requests that same webpage each time, the php module will recompile and run the code again?

[ncreegan]

as of version 4, php compiles and executes code on request

previous versions interpreted it (php 3 at least)

(if I remember correctly)