I have many great ideas for some websites that require PHP, but I have always wanted to make these ideas a reality on my own, rather than having to spend a lot of money on them. I've worked with some pre-made applications and manipulated the code to get something acceptable, but I don't really know how to design anything from scratch. My one idea is an online text-based game, which would require a lot of database work and advanced PHP/flash work. I am good at flash, but again with the programing side I am weak. I also have an idea to create a news portal in whcih I can easily upload articles from an admin center and have them automatically post on different parts of the website. Do you know what I need to learn for each of these? I have 1 year to work with before I devote my time to university studies, so I definitely have the time to really master these skills. Thanks.
I went to my local bookstore and picked up a couple PHP books. I learned some from that and then I got a job coding PHP for my school. If you only have a year to spare before you devote your time to something else, I wouldn't bother. Any programmer will tell you that it all comes with time and practice
I find the video tutorials very helpful.... Search for the following - VTC PHP Lynda.com PHP You can buy the original ones from - vtc.com and lynda.com. However you can also get a warez version from the popular warez forums, rapidshare, torrent etc. Cheers
download a simple php script that uses sql query commands learn by reading through the statements it helps if you are aware of C / C++
okay well thanks a lot guys. and as for having only 1 year to spare, a year can be a very long time when you think about the number of free hours to screw around on the computer and start practicing with some new applications I'm already a fairly advanced web designer...only I haven't quite honed on the programming side of things...but I am a good graphic designer and have a strong background in HTML and CSS. Thanks.
thanks for information (others), suggest ppl to start from www.php.net, it's simple documentation with many other users scripts
I had ideas for a highly interactive website, a mmorpg gaming database/forum/trading site. PHP/Perl/MySQL was obviously, the best choice out there for me to work in the complete site. But, I really didn't understand how hard it really was until I spent 12 hours on my first 3 scripts calling for my db's, only to get a loaded page full of errors. Over 200 scripts later my site is on the verge of being completed and works wonderful. Total errors along the way 2,192 (honest), current errors - 2 (pages not loading 2% of the time). Cost to learn - I spent a whole 25$ on PHP 5 fast & easy Web Development book. Searched Google on methods to fix those errors. Best source of PHP references - PHP.net, here and the mysql website. The best suggestion I can make on learning PHP, is to design the scripts, and iron out the errors you get. The more errors you fix, the more you'll learn.
Before you pickup any books. Take a look at http://phpvideotutorials.com Leighmac has an awesome set of video tutorials that were very helpful to me. He makes it so much easier to learn PHP. Watch the videos, and you'd have a good idea of what you need to do next, and what kind of books you may need.
great 15 part PHP beginner tutorial. Keeps it fresh and interesting in unique ways too. I enjoyed. http://www.weberdev.com/ShowArticles/PHP/Beginner+Guides/106 MAtt
hello i am also very poor in programming side. after i saw www.w3schools.com now i am in software company platform PHP. So this website is very useful for beginners.
Thank you for the helpful responses. I will definitely check out that w3schools website (by the looks of it, it seems very helpful) and see if that gets me headed in the right direction. Thanks again.