How to Build a Telegram Bot using PHP: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Build a Telegram Bot using PHP: In today’s fast-paced digital world, chatbots have become an integral part of online communication. They can automate tasks, provide instant responses, and engage users effectively. If you’re looking to build a Telegram Bot using PHP, you’re in the right place.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process step by step, covering everything from the basics to advanced features. Let’s dive in!

Getting Started – How to build a Telegram Bot using PHP?

To begin your journey into building a Telegram Bot using PHP, you’ll need to follow these essential steps:

Create a Telegram Bot on Telegram:

First, open the Telegram app and search for the “BotFather.” This is Telegram’s official bot for creating and managing other bots. Start a chat with BotFather and use the /newbot command to create your new bot. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a name and get your unique API token.

Set Up Your Development Environment:

Before diving into coding, make sure you have a PHP development environment set up on your system. You can use tools like XAMPP or WAMP for this purpose.

Install the PHP Telegram Bot Library:

You will need a PHP library to interact with the Telegram Bot API. One popular choice is the “PHP Telegram Bot” library, which simplifies the integration process.

Write Your First Telegram Bot Script:

Using your API token, you can now start coding your bot. Create a PHP script that listens to incoming messages and responds accordingly. You can use the library’s documentation for guidance.

<?php
include "config.php"; //database connection

$row = 0;
// Required to make HTTP requests using cURL
if (!function_exists('curl_init')) {
die('cURL extension is not installed. Please install/enable it.');
}
define('TELEGRAM_API_TOKEN', 'your_token');
function sendMessage($chatId, $text, $replyMarkup = null) {
$url = 'https://api.telegram.org/bot' . TELEGRAM_API_TOKEN . '/sendMessage';
$params = array('chat_id' => $chatId, 'text' => $text);

if ($replyMarkup !== null) {
$params['reply_markup'] = json_encode($replyMarkup);
}

$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($params));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
$result = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);

return $result;
}

// Get the incoming message and reply with a greeting
$update = json_decode(file_get_contents('php://input'), true);

// if (isset($update['message'])) {
// $chatId = $update['message']['chat']['id'];
// $messageText = $update['message']['text'];
// if ($messageText === '/start') {
// $send = sendMessage($chatId, 'Hello! I am urfusion Telegram bot. How can I assist you?');

// }
// }

if (isset($update['message'])) {
$chatId = $update['message']['chat']['id'];
$messageText = $update['message']['text'];
$sql = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE chat_id=$chatId";
if($query = $conn->query($sql)){
$row = $query->num_rows;
$result = $query->fetch_assoc();
}

// Start command
if ($messageText === '/start') {
sendMessage($chatId, 'Welcome! To register, please send /register.');
}

// Register command
if ($messageText === '/register') {
// Store user's registration status
$registrationStatus = getUserRegistrationStatus($chatId,$conn);
if ($registrationStatus === 'phone_number') {
sendMessage($chatId, 'Please enter your phone number:');
} 
if ($registrationStatus === 'already_register') {
sendMessage($chatId, 'You are already registered');
}
}
if($row > 0){
$registrationStatus = getUserRegistrationStatus($chatId,$conn);

if ($registrationStatus === 'full_name') {
// Store phone number and prompt for full name
$phoneNumber = $messageText;
updateUserRegistrationData($chatId, 'phone_number', $phoneNumber,$conn);
sendMessage($chatId, 'Please enter your full name:');
} elseif ($registrationStatus === 'bank_type') {
// Store full name and prompt for bank type
$fullName = $messageText;
updateUserRegistrationData($chatId, 'full_name', $fullName,$conn);
sendMessage($chatId, 'Please enter your bank type:');
} elseif ($registrationStatus === 'account_number') {
// Store bank type and prompt for account number
$bankType = $messageText;
updateUserRegistrationData($chatId, 'bank_type', $bankType,$conn);
sendMessage($chatId, 'Please enter your account number:');
} elseif ($registrationStatus === 'confirmation') {
// Store account number and prompt for confirmation
$accountNumber = $messageText;
updateUserRegistrationData($chatId, 'account_number', $accountNumber,$conn);

// Prepare confirmation message with user's data
$confirmationMessage = "Please confirm your details:\n";
$confirmationMessage .= "Phone number:". $result['phone_number']."\n";
$confirmationMessage .= "Full Name:". $result['full_name']."\n";
$confirmationMessage .= "Bank Type:". $result['bank_type']."\n";
$confirmationMessage .= "Account Number:". $accountNumber."\n\n";
$confirmationMessage .= "Is this information correct(Yes/No)?";

// Prepare custom keyboard for confirmation
$keyboard = array(
'keyboard' => array(
array('Yes', 'No')
),
'one_time_keyboard' => true
);

sendMessage($chatId, $confirmationMessage, $keyboard);
}
}
// Handle user confirmation
if (in_array(ucwords($messageText), array('Yes', 'No'))) {
// Retrieve user's registration data
// $registrationData = getUserRegistrationData($chatId,$conn);

if (ucwords($messageText) == 'Yes') {
// Save registration data to your database
// saveUserRegistration($chatId,$conn);

// Send thank you message and additional options
sendMessage($chatId, 'Thank you for registering! Here are some additional options:', getMainMenuKeyboard());
} else {
// Reset registration status and data, then prompt user to restart
resetUserRegistration($chatId,$conn);
sendMessage($chatId, 'Registration canceled. Please send /register to restart.');
}
}
// Handle /menu command
if ($messageText === '/NewID') {
$keyboard = array(
'keyboard' => array(
array('Playtech','Jili Game')
),
'one_time_keyboard' => true
);

sendMessage($chatId, 'Please select an option:', $keyboard);
}
// Handle /menu command
if ($messageText === '/menu') {
$keyboard = array(
'keyboard' => array(
array('Deposit / Cuci', '/MyID', '/Promotion'),
array('/Deposit', '/Withdrawal', '/Syarat-syarat'),
array('/CaraDeposit', '/CaraWithdrawal', '/ContactUs')
),
'one_time_keyboard' => false
);

sendMessage($chatId, 'Please select an option:', $keyboard);
}

// Handle other menu commands
switch ($messageText) {
case '/Deposit':
// Handle Deposit command
// Implement your logic here
$keyboard = array(
'keyboard' => array(
array('mega0001','mega0002')
),
'one_time_keyboard' => true
);

sendMessage($chatId, 'Select Game ID for deposit or back to /menu:', $keyboard);
break;

case '/Withdrawal':
// Handle Withdrawal command
// Implement your logic here
break;

case '/CaraDeposit':
// Handle CaraDeposit command
// Implement your logic here
break;

case '/CaraWithdrawal':
// Handle CaraWithdrawal command
// Implement your logic here
break;

case '/MyID':
// Handle MyID command
// Implement your logic here
break;

case '/ResetPassword':
// Handle ResetPassword command
// Implement your logic here
break;

case '/Download':
// Handle Download command
// Implement your logic here
break;

case '/Promotion':
// Handle Promotion command
// Implement your logic here
break;

case '/Syarat-syarat':
// Handle Syarat-syarat command
// Implement your logic here
break;

case '/ContactUs':
// Handle ContactUs command
// Implement your logic here
break;

// ... (other commands)
}
}
// Sample functions to manage user registration data
function getUserRegistrationStatus($chatId,$conn) {
// Implement your logic to retrieve the user's registration status
// Return the current registration step/status

$sql = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE chat_id=$chatId";
$query = $conn->query($sql);
if ($query->num_rows) {

$result=$query->fetch_assoc();

if(is_null($result['phone_number'])){
return 'full_name';
}else
if(is_null($result['full_name'])){
return 'bank_type';
}elseif(is_null($result['bank_type'])){
return 'account_number';
}elseif(is_null($result['account_number'])){
return 'confirmation';
}else{
return 'already_register';
}
} else {

$sql1 = "INSERT INTO users (chat_id) VALUES ('$chatId')";
$query = $conn->query($sql1);
return 'phone_number';
}


}

function updateUserRegistrationData($chatId, $field, $value,$conn) {
// Implement your logic to update the user's registration data
$sql = "UPDATE users SET $field = '$value' WHERE chat_id = $chatId";
$query = $conn->query($sql);
return true;
}

function getUserRegistrationData($chatId) {
// Implement your logic to retrieve the user's registration data
// Return an array containing user's registration data
}

function saveUserRegistration($registrationData,$conn) {
// Implement your logic to save the user's registration data to your database
}

function resetUserRegistration($chatId,$conn) {
// Implement your logic to reset the user's registration status and data
$sql = "DELETE FROM users WHERE chat_id = $chatId";
$query = $conn->query($sql);
return true;
}

function getMainMenuKeyboard() {
// Implement a custom keyboard for main menu options (e.g., /menu, /NewID)
// Return the keyboard markup as an array
return array(
'keyboard' => array(
array('/menu', '/NewID')
),
'one_time_keyboard' => false
);
}

?>

FAQs: How to Build a Telegram Bot using PHP

1. Can I build a Telegram bot using languages other than PHP?

Yes, Telegram Bot API supports various programming languages, including Python and Node.js. However, this guide focuses on PHP.

2. Do I need a server to host my Telegram bot?

Yes, your bot needs to be hosted on a server or a cloud platform to run continuously and respond to user requests.

3. Is it possible to monetize a Telegram bot?

While Telegram itself does not provide direct monetization options, you can use your bot to drive traffic to your website or offer premium content or services.

4. How can I improve the security of my Telegram bot?

To enhance security, restrict access to your bot’s API token, implement user authentication, and regularly update your bot’s code to address vulnerabilities.

5. Are there any restrictions on what a Telegram bot can do?

Telegram has guidelines and policies in place to ensure the responsible use of bots. Ensure your bot complies with these rules to avoid being banned.

6. Can I make my Telegram bot work in group chats?

Yes, you can configure your bot to function in group chats. Be sure to handle group interactions gracefully.

Conclusion – How to Build a Telegram Bot using PHP

Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to build a Telegram Bot using PHP. By following this comprehensive guide, you can create interactive bots that engage with users and automate tasks effectively. Remember to keep exploring new possibilities and stay updated with Telegram’s API documentation for the latest features and improvements.

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