It will take a week or so if you already know C syntax, or a month or two if you don't. You can learn the basics real fast and use example code to get what you need done. However it will take much longer to actually become good at it. I think the best resource to learn from is the actual PHP manual. It's the best "manual" I've seen for a scripting language. There's also forums and IRC support to ask questions. First learn the basic syntax and the concepts behind programming, like variables, input and output, and functions (assuming you're a total newbie) and then learn what you need to know to get what need done. For example, learn the MySQL functions if you plan on working with MySQL. Then eventually if you do it often, you'll start to become good at it. The final step is learning coding style and programming methodologies.