Change PHP variable on button click

Question

I'm making a like button - I can't use a SQL database because my data isn't stored in a database, so I'm thinking I can edit a PHP file when someone clicks on it. I want to do it without reloading the page, so here's what I'm thinking:

$likeFile = fopen("likes.php", [I'm not sure whether or not to put here])
fwrite($likeFile, + 1)
fclose($likeFile)

Only problem, I don't know how to add 1 to the variable, or select the variable at all.
Image of the clap button
Image of the clap variable (each one represents a page)
Image of the clap html (like.php contains HTML for the clap, likes.php contains the variables)

question from:https://stackoverflow.com/questions/65908503/change-php-variable-on-button-click

Answer 1

Waitting for answers