Help learning PHP

I want to learn PHP. I currently know html pretty well, & want to learn PHP to expand my web design & programming capabilities.

Could you recommend the best way for me to go about learning PHP?

Thanks,

Adam

 

Pick a project you want to do, somthing small like a "contact me" form, search the web for code/tutorials and try to implement it. When you have any doubts, search php.net. Also go to your local bookstore and buy a book or two on Php and read them.

 

Here's a pretty good introductory tutorial:
hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/programming/php/tutorials/tutorial4.html

I also have some PHP tutorials here for specific purposes:
icemelon.com/tutorials.php

 

try tutorials on Zend.com

 

php.net will forever be your best friend. Read the manual, and practice practice..

 

Use the masses of tutorials on W3Schools
http://www.w3schools.com/
http://www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp

 

I've gotten a book on PHP 5, but php.net says the latest version is 4.4.something. What's the deal with that?

 

The latest version is 5.0.5.
http://www.php.net/downloads.php

 

the best way to learn is by writing code - do not forget that, if you use a tutorial from a php tut site remember to type the code do not simply copy and paste it.

 

Practice is the best. Just give yourself a project even if you do not know how todo it yet. The goal is to find out how to make it. Ask for help. Maybe start off with just a simple program that connects to a MySql database and retrives some information.
Books are nice for reference, but for me they do not help that much. I perfer either online tutorials or just coding on my own.

 

Sites like the one in my footer. Loads of examples in PHp and various other languages!

 

If you go through the tutorials on devshed.com you will be pretty good by the end of it.
I just read the introduction on php.net and then did the devshed tutorials.

Good luck,
Pete

 

phpfreaks is great, i like learning with videos tho like the lynda ones

 

Books are great, I find. It forces you to type the code as opposed to being able to copy/paste. Sitepoint has some great books (I'd defiantky recommend 'Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using PHP & MySQL').