w3schools.org and php.net are the best places where you can start with and advance in learning php. Good luck !!
Myself I learned (and am still learning) PHP by "modding" premade scripts. PHP.net is the best place for examples for each function. (Being the manual and all) and pure meat no fluff. If you ever need to know what a function does just Google search it. PHP.net should be 1st on that page for the function I never learned anything from that site, along with some others like it. Always hit the back button. Their php tutorials are really poorly presented. Being too short, too much fluff not enough meat.
there is a website who really teach well if you read it carefully just go to http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/DEfaULT.asp
Learning any type of programming language is hard. I highly suggest you look at the w3schools.com tutorials, although you will also have a better feel for PHP if you take a look at a source code and break it down. Thanks,
I've always been a book guy for learning new languages. It's nice to sit on the couch and read up on the fundamentals. For some reason, I rarely make it straight through the full books. I tend to get excited about the technology and start diving in. That's where you'll really start learning. Plus, it's nice to have the reference if you need it later on. Check out Amazon or your local bookstore for PHP books for beginners. Good Luck!!