I already know HTML+CSS and am looking at learning PHP. What's the quickest way? Due to work commitments I don't have tons of time to simply pull apart existing scripts and see how they work like I did with HTML (trial+error is great its just slow). I already know bits and pieces of VB, JS, PHP, CF etc so I understand the "logic" of them, I just have no idea what to write to make it do what I want - Are there some good sites? - Would a book be better? If so, what one? In 2 hours a day, 5 days a week (10 hours a week) how many months would it take to become pretty good at PHP? Enough to be able to make pretty much anything just obviously not pro, using all the best methods etc. Once I know how long it'll take roughly I can set some goals to reach.
Hi there ; you can start by simple tutorials ,, just google for php tutorials , try guestbook tutorials thanx
This book seems to be getting good reviews on amazon (I haven't read it): http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Dyn...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219983169&sr=1-1 It says php 6 (not out yet), so you'll be ahead. The back cover says: "If you're already at home with HTML, you'll find this volume the perfect launching pad to creating dynamic sites with PHP and MySQL" So, sounds right for you!
Got 131 reviews and 4.5/5 rating, looks good. PHP6? Well that's another question then - what do I learn? 4, 5 or 6? I'd assume they're semi-interchangeable like HTML; the basis is the same, just new tags are made, some are deprecated.
Enough to make pretty much anything? This is a tall order of course. I am a .NET and J2EE engineer with over a decade of programming experience. I am transitioning to PHP and can tell you from my experience that it has taken me over three months of late night and weekend learning. I am using a web application framework to address the core plumbing, but it is taking time. Also, I make time to review popular open-source projects to learn the approaches used in PHP. I have very little time too. I work a minimum of 12 hours per day and average about 14 hours. That is no excuse, I make the time period. Lastly, everyone learns differently so if it takes me 3 months it may take you 1 or 12. Depends on the students aptitude, knowledge, and skills. Good luck!
Anything my heart desires. I'm not going to make the next Wordpress or Joomla or anything over the top like that Things like member sites, secure areas - useful things that clients (particular businesses) will want. Right now I'm attempting to make a basic CMS, it fetches info from a table (which I'm going to make an install script that sets the whole table up) and displays it using a template The admin backend is months away (or any usable version that is secure and bug free enough) but the fact I can sometimes get it to do what I want is awesome! I feel invincible Speaking of frameworks, would it be best to use a framework or learn from scratch? Frameworks seem like a shortcut (get started quickly) but due to that in the long run they aren't any better as entually you have to learn everything and not rely on the frameworks built in functions. I could be wrong, I'm just going off CSS frameworks, of which I prefer my own. Is it good to make functions for everything? Like connect to database, disconnect from database, fetch and echo the page title and so forth.
Hi rochow, My advice is to get a book that covers both MySQL and PHP. I don't think the version of PHP is all that important as long as it's fairly current. Most of the heavy lifting you're going to do with a CMS is going to be done using both PHP and MySQL, so I think learning about both is important. I agree with you that frameworks can come later. Learn the basics first. Get your CMS working on pure PHP and MySQL first. My bet is that if you're working on CMSs, you'll eventually start needing some Javascript. You can start learning about Javascript, AJAX, and some of the AJAX frameworks like Prototype. It'll all make a lot more sense if you've got a good foundation to start with. I wish you the best of success with your CMS! PS - Be sure you learn how to use basic AJAX calls first before you start to mess around with Prototype. Otherwise your brain may very mell melt and ooze out of your ears.
Yep, at first I avoided SQL however it is better than flat-file in a lot of cases. Flat file is handy for small scripts so that they just FTP it and install it, no having to login and create databases. I think I'm using PHP4, that's the most used I believe. JS and AJAX would be great, 1 at a time though Get any small open source project and just have a look at it and see how it works?
Like the last post i recommend w3schools.com . Sincerley that is the place i learned web programming for real. It is the best place to start as they offer detailed tutorials and examples to guide you from the first steps in the php programming world to the php programming as a pro. It is also an amazing place to learn the others pr. languages like javascript, asp... You go with w3schools!
I used W3Schools for the tutorial on SQL. They don't seem comprehensive (if you were already intermediate and wanted to turn pro) but are great for beginners like me. I already have xaamp and use Notepad++
The way I learnt was to watch a bunch of videos from: www.phpvideotutorials.com www.killerphp.com Then I just looked through tutorial sites like: www.tizag.com <- awesome www.w3schools.com The key is to try and program as you go along watching and reading those tutorials, because it really helps loads. I've got a basic understanding of PHP, and it only took me about 2 weeks before I was coding simple and effective scripts.
Trial and error. Pick a script you would like to code, code it With a help from some tutorial sites of course. www.tizag.com being the best tut site.
Yeah, I'd suggest tizag.com, w3schools.com and phpvideotutorials.com - Like its been mentioned above, the time it will take you to learn is completely dependant on your current mindset on programming methods, how quickly you can adapt and how much you want to learn. I think 3 months is a good estimate for you if you throw yourself into it Jay
Hey! Well learning PHP, I would advise you to go to PHP.net, read a few things, and start developing a small application, maybe like a calculator. Slowly, you will get a nag of it. Once you reach a certain level, join me on my website www.loveofphp.com, which I have dedicated for PHP developers only. I am sure, you'd find interesting stuff over there . Other than that, you could consult www.w3schools.com, www.phpfreaks.com, www.tizag.com and many more. You have a pool of tutorials out there... go get one!! Thanks imphp
I learned php from internet free resources. Just search google and pick up the best you find. You may also check: http://www.tizag.com http://www.w3schools.com or my small blog: http://myphpsource.blogspot.com