I want to Master PHP...BUT HOW?

Hi Friends,

I Have enough time now in my holidays and want to do something useful. So I am desperate to master PHP/SQL. I want to create Open Source apps and other useful apps.

Please help me. I just know some HTML Basics. Can you refer to some online reference material or any classes offline. If you are just like me, i mean want to learn PHP then add me in gtalk:manojcricfan@gmail.com ... Any PHP Dev also pls add me.

Regards,
Manoj

 

http://php.net/

http://php.net/manual/en/getting-started.php
http://www.tuxradar.com/practicalphp
http://devzone.zend.com/article/627

Like any programming language, php takes years to "Master", but you can get fairly proficient in a short amount of time. Best bet is to get the fundamentals down, then move to more complex programming like interacting with databases, files, xml, api's, etc... Then move to SOAP and OOP, and finally to frameworks and more advanced design patterns.

Make sure you understand basic security principals from the start. Learning how to protect scripts and prevent injection attacks will go with you through any future programming.

 

Thanks for the help... will refer them surely... Any more tips guys?

 

Learn PHP from w3schools.com or other websites.
First, you'll need to have a local development environment such as XAMPP or WAMP. Then, create simple PHP scripts.
Then, try to write simple PHP web form and connect to mysql database, retrieve data from database, add new records to a mysql database.
Then, try to look at other people's code or existing web app. Learning code from good web apps from other people can help you to improve your programming skills.

Hope this helps!

 

Start with w3school. Learn html first, then php, then combine both and you will see good results.
But first learn html, you need to know the basics of coding first.
-clonepal

 

read, read, read...then go make something with what you learned.

 

Taking some serious computer classes may not hurt either, focus on programming, php, db....

 

you need learn from basic to advand. be impatient you will success.

 

Learn what some of the basic functions mean and do like include, echo, etc. google them practice with them then move on to database queries and api calls after a while you will start to speak php a little easier

 

I also started as beginner in PHP Development and using the healthy information from W3CSchools and PHP Academy for free tutorials online

 

Get the basics down which you can find on all the sites listed above, but once you get a decent feel for php try downloading php scripts online and messing around with them. You'll be a pro in no time!

 

I am also learning PHP, thanks for the links. Here are two video tutorial sites about PHP, they have been very helpful for me.

http://phpacademy.org/
http://betterphp.co.uk/

They also have forums to discuss about the tutorials or PHP in general.

 

There are hundreds of websites giving the basic PHP tutorials. I have been a PHP developer for 5 years and once you have the basics, its all about using the basic techniques in a way to create something more useful. I still find myself looking up PHP functions that I need to certain projects. Mastering PHP isnt something that happens quickly. I would consider myself a good PHP developer, but I have by no means mastered it.

 

Thanks for the links guys. I'm going to start online college soon for programing. Was looking for some good tutorial sites to get started on so I'm ahead of the game a little.

 

...fan, I added you to gchat. I say DO, install xamp or get a cheap hosting account that has it installed and just start playing with things. Reading through other peoples code and just do it to it. Here, take this, I just posted it on: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=175713 put that up and play with it. I haven't taken classes and I can't seem to focus enough to RTFM, so I just started copying piece of code, playing with it and talking to people. Do you have IRC? Find your way to ##php. I am not saying don't read the manual, I am just saying it was easier for me to get hands on with the code first; then look at the manual to see what I was doing wrong.

 

I guess first you should have the main weapon :
PHP, Virtual Server(Apache, XAMPP)or cheap/free hosting server(000webhost.com could be the choice), Database (mySQL).
Do some simple 'Hello world' script, then try the dynamic (input,retrive data from database), and play along with some 'advanced' script.

Good luck, and perhaps one day I'll be the one who ask for advance advice / help in PHP.

 

As others said download some simple localhost server app (xamp is great for start) and keep programming! Official PHP manual should be your good friend from now. You can find there useful advices and good examples (especially in comments to specific functions/problems). Good luck

 

i am also new to PHP and i am learning it......These links will be surely help me to learn more thanks for the links friends.....

 

Tip: Master how to research and to teach your self. Without the ability to do so, I don't think you'll ever be able to "master" any language. At least IMO =)