PHP... help

ok I want to ask you guys a few question… I am a complete newb when it comes to PHP/XML so I want to know if the following exists:
-a free webpage host which provides full PHP and/or XML access or if I can securely set up my computer as a PHP/ XML server?
-what are the differences between PHP and XML… are they used for the same thing?
-can I change attributes for my flash file through XML or PHP?
-can I save text/images/stream sound dynamically to my filespace using PHP or XML and load them into flash
-can I load full HTML pages into flash dynamically (ie, a simple little phony web browser type thing…)
-how do I make my page take up the whole screen (something I’ve seen done before)
-if these things are possible where and how do I start (any links to tutorials or anything like that would be appreciated!)
…ummmm thats about it for now, any new questions I’ll post up, thanks in advance!..oh and if all this stuff can be done in PERL then PERL is there with PHP or XML…basically any language that can handle this stuff.