What is the purpose of the index.php file?

index.php is a common file name that is typically used as the default homepage file in website development. Its functions include:

1. The default entry point for a website: When visiting a website, the server will automatically load the index.php file as the default homepage to display to users.
2. Dealing with dynamic content: The index.php file typically contains the back-end logic of the website, used to handle user requests, interact with the database, generate dynamic content, etc. It may contain PHP code for dynamically generating webpage content.
3. Routing and distributing requests: The index.php file can be used for routing and distributing requests, calling different functional modules or loading different pages based on the URL request.
4. The index.php file can load the website’s template files and style sheets to present specific webpage layouts and styles.

In conclusion, index.php is the default homepage file of a website, used for handling dynamic content, routing and dispatching requests, as well as loading templates and styles to provide users with access to the website.