What are the best resources for learning PHP and MySQL? This forum is full of talented programmers so I think you guys would be able to point me in the right direction. Any books or website recommendations for someone new to programming? Thanks!
Well, there is php.net of course to get a general idea of what the functions do. But to really get started you need to set yourself a simple project and think how you would go about solving it. Then you can ask question on forums, (here, USENET, and others), slowly you will learn how to use php. MySQL will then come naturally. There are some books, but php has a great community of people to help you. All you need is a project to get yourself started. FFMG
FFMG said it, you need a project to get started. Learn the basics of PHP and MySQL, so that you're familiar with the syntax. Start up with a simple project, could be even as simple as a counter. In the process, you will have to refer various places to know how to do certain things, like storing information on a database, gathering the data of the users etc. When you do it this way, you learn new things, and even remember them for further use. The first 10 projects of yours would be practice, and not of very high quality. But they'll be enough to get hang of PHP/MySQL and knowing how to go about developing. Join a good Programming dedicated forum, and yes, if you're serious about learning, do buy some php/mysql books. -ARonald
I'm thinking of getting these three books. Does anyone have good/bad experiences with any of 'em? Are they good for a beginner? PHP 5 / MySQL Programming for the Absolute Beginner http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Programming-Absolute-Beginner/dp/1592004946/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_2/102-7421431-9620950 PHP & MySQL For Dummies http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Dummies-Computer-Tech/dp/0470096004/sr=8-1/qid=1170178118/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7421431-9620950?ie=UTF8&s=books Web Database Applications with PHP & MySQL http://www.amazon.com/Web-Database-Applications-PHP-MySQL/dp/0596005431/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_3/102-7421431-9620950
Also as I had learned. First look for and read good introduce article about PHP, MySQL and Apache. Download PHP and MySQL guide from these sites necessarily. I think it's main books for you. Further download any simple scripts and try to change it, improve. So I think the best way to learn is practice. Have a luck with it!
^^ You never finish learning. But it took me a bit over a year to be able to code "comfortably", meaning, that I can do almost everything I want to do.
I am not very familiar with PHP. I did learn its basics and created some small projects in 2003 or so, but after that, i didn't get much time to devote to my hobbies. Learning the general syntax of any language could be done in around a few days, but getting to know every single function that it provides is something which might take years, because only experience can teach it to you along with its best uses. About the books, from the reviews, PHP 5 / MySQL Programming for the Absolute Beginner looks good. I don't have this book, but i guess we can rely on other customers' comments on amazon. -ARonald
As a C programmer it was fairly easy, but it took me a few months to be 'comfortable' to actually develop sites. I am alway learning new things. FFMG
Yes, it more easy than MS SQL Server, Postgres, Oracle, etc. But it is DBMS. PHP is programming language.
My personal experience in learning PHP and MySQL is dotted with trial and error experiments. I have learned everything about PHP programming on my own, using nothing more than tutorials found on the web, and reading posts and articles in forums like this one, or even Google Groups. I think the most important thing for me when I began programming was to have an actual purpose for programming. I absolutely wanted a site, but without a direct goal, I was not moving in any one direction and accomplishing one goal. In you case, you may begin by writing a simple blog script that will enable you to create an article, save it to a db, and retrieve it. It may seem simple, but atleast this gets you going in the right direction as far as the basics of PHP programming. PHP.net is an absolutely wonderful site with examples and user comments about most popular php functions. I also found that having a local working environment helped alot. I did not have to worry about breaking anything or disturbing users. I just set up my own small server and I was off to the races.