Im interested in learning PHP, since there are so many thing which I could use it for and I really envy all them pros. Can someone tell me which tutorials they started off with (if thye didnt start with a course) and link me to them. Also how long does it take to learn php and reach a proffessional level. (first programming language for me).
I personally find the best way to learn a language is by forcing yourself to learn how to do various functions to complete a project. For example, when I wanted to learn PHP, I decided I would create a Gaming Clan Website for a clan I was in (I used to play Medal of Honour online!). I had no idea how to use php so I started looking for tutorials to complete each step of the website. I managed to create a site with an admin for each page, with a gallery! Of course the level of coding will be very simple until you get some experience. I suggest you learn php & mysql together. If you want some tutorials, you can start with php-mysql-tutorial.com. However, you'll find many others on google. Rather than tutorials, I usually searched (still do) for functions in the php.net documentation while building a script. As re: how long it takes to become pro, I am certainly not a pro but I do know how to create cms's, e-commerce websites, ftp clients, forums, galleries, etc so I know quite a bit of PHP. You should know the basics of PHP well and be capable of creating your own blogs, guestbooks etc. within a few months, even weeks, depending on how quickly you understand programming concepts. Other things like e-commerce sites, cms's etc will obviously take longer. Don't give up! I started PHP 5 years ago and I learn something new with each project. Goodluck. Marc
I agree with Marc, start a project and learn the php you need to complete it. PHP has a huge base of tutorials, just search google for them and you'll find how to do most things. Also when looking for specific functions just use php.net it has a comprehensive database of information regarding how they work, along with a lot of comments, which generally include code snippets. My first project involved creating a database driven e-commerce site with a paypal integrated shopping cart. That was about 3 years ago, i've been branching out since then. I definatly recommend learning php and mysql together since you'll often need to utilize databases when using php.
There are topics in Digital where you can find lots of PHP learning Resources. Just do a search. But i don't think 0$ budget is good enough. You need to spend more time than you should. Money saves time. Moreover don't you think you have to pay electricity bill , internet bill and also you bought a computer to read all these contents. How much have you spent already? LOL.
It may well be that someone else pays for all those things. I know when I started learning to write programs the internet, electricity were all paid for. I had bought my own computer but that was it. Having said that even if this is the situation Christmas is coming up so consider adding this book to your wishlist. After a few months of messing around and not getting very far I bought that book and it significantly accelerated my progress. Besides that I agree completely with marc and klown. The only thing I would say is that although it is the best approach it can have security implications. So either really concentrate on making your projects secure or frequently back up all your data.
1. Imaging teach project. 2. Start it and implement different sections, finding answers on raising questions
Can't agree more with what the others have said but I have found the following book an excellent for learning PHP: PHP & MySQL Web Development If you have a project which requires both PHP and a database then this book will get you up and running in no time. Good luck
Use google to find some php tutorials. And download small php scripts and try to understand them. Add some extra features and see if it works.
I made a pretty extensive post about this at sitepoint a few months back. I taught myself PHP several years ago and consider that now, I know how to do most things, and where to find out info to do new things as they come up. You have already been given some great advice. The best way to learn it is to have a project of some sort. Start at the very basics - w3schools and php.net are all you need to get started. Start out with doing simple stuff like putting the time into an existing web page. Then move onto how to create a web page from 3 or 4 files (header,nav content &footer) and create yourself a 4-5 page website using the templates. Then you will want to look at how to process form data and say send the form info to yourself in an email. Once you get to even this point you will have barely scratched the surface, but what you will have done is to understand how to do things and more importantly where to go to find the info so you can do more. The investment will be $0, and probably about 30-50 hours of your time to get to this point, and from here, you can continue to learn with each project/task you work on.
Pick a very small project, and start looking through www.php.net. Search... or get a very simple script, and modify it. Make it do something a little different. Learn the syntax and start learning functions as you go. A book helps a lot... because it will have examples and demonstrations and explain syntax and arrays... etc.. but on $0 budget... heh.
I would recommend php.net Everything is on there, you have all the functions, globals (POST, GET, FILES, COOKIE, SERVER, etc.) Great resource