Definition: The term `_php.conf` is a configuration file used in PHP scripts to manage application settings or configurations, typically for security or testing purposes. It's crucial to understand that `.` represents path notation within PHP files; `.conf` is interpreted by PHP as an environment variable indicating the path for this configuration. For instance, if you're working on a server-side application where users can access it via a web interface (e.g., `http://www.example.com/`) and set various configurations using `$_php_conf`, it will contain information like password hashes, database settings, or any other parameters that need to be processed by the PHP script at runtime. Understanding this configuration file is essential for ensuring security and maintaining code integrity during development.