Alright guys, it's long past time that I took some time out to advance my knowledge of PHP. What I would like from you guys are recommendations on texts (electronic or otherwise) that will get me started. I'm not a complete noob, but assume I am for the purposes of my education Thanks in advance!
I like the books by wrox. They've been pretty thorough. phpfreaks.com is also an alright place to visit.
I'm definitely leaning towards random tutorials rather then a one piece book. Thanks for the links, PHPFreaks.com will keep me busy for at least a couple of years
I am still a newbie, but I have learned php through an free online tutorial called phpinpictures. It was really easy, I finished it in about three hours, after that I started practicing more tutorials because they were easier for me to understand after I had read that other book. Remember, Practice Makes Perfect!!
Another suggestion: find a decently written and open source PHP application. Install it then edit it. That's how I came up to speed with PHP: make a change and see what happens...
As Twisted said the whole downloading a open source script and modding it works wonderful. Books are a great source for a reminder and the writers are usually full of hints and tricks to help you learn. But unless you like reading a 400 page book and studing it than I suggest more "hands on". Learning Programmer is also helpful is you excell in math because they go one in one. But if you have ALOT of troubles I math I suggest you try to stay away as the basic rules for math (variables, functions, blah blah blah) are also the same for programming. Which is why most Computer Science courses require Calculus, Physics, and most of them require those to be above 80%. Um.. Oh.. And learning programming.. Any language.. PHP seems abit easier than many but it is still a programming. Takes time, for some people they want to get Be able to do it and NOW!.. You cannot think that way and need to be pacient in order to fully drasp the handle on programming. Alot more complex than most people seem that it is. Good Luck on your Road! - Steve
I third this motion. Also seems to go better when you have a special interest in the app your working on.
I don't recommend books for learning PHP. Just start coding something and search google groups and php manual for things you don't know. It will be the fastest way to learn it.
I use SMF, and by editing the forum works, and with phpBB, I have learned alot.. It is good to just get an open-source application and editing.