[header] How to open a php file [title] Download a code editor if you don't already have one. [step] Code editors are text editing programs that allow you to write code or scripting languages. A code editor is different than a standard word processing application like microsoft word. 
[substeps] Code editors include features for writing and reading in various coding languages, such as php. Common code editors include dreamweaver, notepad + +, textedit, and komodo edit.