working with GET variable

In PHP we use $_POST and $_GET and each of them are used for different reasons. Generally we use $_GET as a way to allow someone to request a specific set of data from our website. For example on teamtreehouse when you visit your profile or another users profile you are using a $_GET variable. That $_GET variable is then sent to the server at your request and a message is sent back. Typically in a dynamic php website we will use this $_GET variable as a condition when dealing with databases which will then allow us to retrieve content. You generally do not want to use $_GET variables in forms although you could its much more practical to use $_GET when retrieving information and $_POST when pushing (Insert, Update, Deletion) using a database or in simple cases for posting data to another page. For example...

teamtreehouse.com/shaynelaufenberg

would be similar to something like

teamtreehouse.com/example.php?user=shaynelaufenberg

then it can be rewritten in apache .htaccess to look better.

This makes more sense once you start dealing with higher level PHP and working with complex database systems but for now just know that $_GET is for users requesting information, and $_POST is for forms like a Login or Registration page. Hopefully this helps and if you have any other questions about the subject just let me know :)