Out of the two, which would be more beneficial to learn? I know one is server-side and one is client-side, but I don't know the boundaries and limitations of each.
Either has its own use, benefits and limitation. It would be extremely beneficial to learn both. Which ever you wanna learn first is entirely up to you, your needs and interest. I personally learned javascript first and I didn't really had any problems when I decided to study PHP afterwards.
I'm considering javascript first since it's client-side and it wouldn't require me to pay for a decent web host. And, if I like it enough, I can move on to PHP. Any comments on that?
I wouldn't call myself a "newbie" seeing as I due know application-based coding. I'm just looking into web design now.
Javascript's fun. I say go for it, but I'm not sure of your knowledge in HTML, you'll need that along with javascript. In any case, just go with the flow. If you're bored of it, go for PHP. PHP+js makes it more fun too.. Anyway, as I've said, just go with the flow, enjoy it.
I can make basic webpages with headings, links, tables, etc. The basics of HTML you could say. Alrighty, I guess I'll look for a good Javascript learning source and just do my best. Thank you for your input!
I would recommend starting with php, and when you feel that you want to add some cool effect/feature fo the clients, that you take a look at jquery instead. Nice javascript library and you get alot done with less code and there is alot of plugin for jquery too
You don't need a web host to use php, you can download xsas and run your php scripts from your own computer, or a good PHP IDE like NuSphere PhpED. Also, don't learn just one, learn them both PHP + Javascript is a powerfull combo.
Learn PHP first! It's good that you know HTML, so you will not have problems with this. Step by step you will have to learn some JavaScript functions to make your applications more flexible, and that's where the JavaScrippt knowledge will come by itself. I used WAMP before for a local server. Every first PHP lesson starts with how to install a local server, so look into it
I've never heard of being able to run PHP from your own computer, but I'll definitely look into it. It make testing my PHP code so much easier. So basically each language compliments the other?
Here is the WAMP server (for Windows) I am talking about http://www.wampserver.com/en/ It is very easy for beginners and has everything you need at this stage. Sure all those programming languages are being used to build modern and complex websites. Take as example this forum. The text we write here is stored into MySQL database, then it is pulled from there with PHP and displayed with HTML+CSS. When you click on your, or any user name a JavaScript function is called to display the small window with 'View Profile', 'Prvate Message' etc. options. Step by step you will get it all. And remember - Google is your best friend Everything you are trying to do has been made and/or discussed by somebody else.
> Out of the two, which would be more beneficial to learn? Depends on what do you want. If you want to develop client interfaces then you should study JavaScript. If you want to build site backends then PHP is your choice. I think most PHP developers know JavaScript a bit. Both PHP and JavaScript could be learned on local machine. Anyway modern PHP webhostings are quite chip. In short: if you know PHP then you are able to build website from the scratch - maybe it will leak some nice javascripts features but it will work. If you know only javascript then you can't build the website from scratch - you can only customize interface of existing sites.
They are both different. php is server side, javascript is client side. I'd suggest you learn php first so that you can create dynamic websites and interact with a database. You wont need javascript until much later
Both are needed equally .To fetch data from server, like records from a database stored on the server , you need server side scripting languages such as PHP. And to save the round trip time to server by performing some calculations and validations on the client side , you need client side scripting language as Javascript.
PHP would be good to learn, but If I was a beginner I would learn JavaScript first. I think JavaScript is much difficult to learn than PHP. You'll have to learn either soon or later, so just pick one if you already know HTML.
PHP is way better to make money and practise. It is really easy to understand the construction of it, and you can do almost anything using php. From websites to scripts. And its much more popular than JS is.
PHP is a far more functional language, so I would learn that first. As a long term strategy, you will need to know both PHP and JavaScript to build a modern website that a client would be proud of.