I want to Learn PHP not for $$ but for Fun I Love the Code! I am I lost?

Brand new and wanting to learn PHP I'd suggest you start here

PHP Introduction

Thanks Janet I have been learning there I Now feel that I am in the right track!

After you learned some basic PHP, i suggest you to download some simple free script and learn from its coding. Don't forget there is php.net for function references.

I suggest starting with learning the PHP syntax itself.
PHP: Language Reference - Manual
Going through each part Basic Syntax, Types, Variables, etc.....

If you are on a PC running Windows, download and install XAMPP apache friends - xampp

This will allow you to write and run PHP and databases right on your PC.

Also for now just use a plain text editor with syntax highlighting, I suggest Notepad++ | 5.8.6 .

Later you can try an PHP IDE which will give you hinting, error highlighting and a ton more advanced stuff. But for now just an editor is fine, it will help memory retention.

When you see example code chunks on php.net, run them, change the code, see what it does, what errors happen when you miss something. It's all good when learning.

Once you have a base down you can move on to other examples or actual applications in PHP and see how others use the PHP language.

Keep in mind that scripts posted around the internet as tutorials or whatever there purpose are usually missing key fundamentals like security precautions, proper user input checking, etc.... So don't run them on a live site available to others unless you understand the correct security required for whatever the code snippet is.

I have been at it for 4 years (keep in mind I have a low reading comprehension)
I know others that have been at it longer.. There is always something new to learn or a better way of doing a certain procedure. Learning never ends!

Most of all have fun...

You can totally learn php on your own for the fun of it. I'm really skilled in PHP now and do it as a full time job, even though I majored in Art & Design in college. I started doing it just for fun and to maybe do a few custom things for some of my sites.

Hi smartdoctor,
Once you have enough knowledge to ask medium/advanced questions, then the single best resource, IMO, is here at StackOverflow:
Where experts compete to answer your questions.

PHP: 76,877 questions tagged
Newest 'php' Questions - Stack Overflow

Glad you Love code,
Have fun

Thanks Janet Sawyer, you made my day

Enjoy the process while you learning PHP


it`s wil be great if you started learn php on php.net..

after you have basic knowledge about it, you can surf around into youtube for finding video tutorial about PHP

Hi smartdoctor,

I am a newbibe and learn PHP purely from Internet. In fact, about 4 weeks of learning, I was able to code a web application that
- draw graphics using php
- user interaction with databases
- video streaming
- data cruching

Then I further to use PHP with AJAX, XML and more data analysis.

I am definitely not a smart doctor like you, just having passion into programming, but I believe you will be able to do it too.

Q1) what are the best resources available online?
A. www.php.net and www.mysql.com

Q2) Can you learn the PHP and perfect it all by yourself
A. YES!

Q3) I have started by learning data structures as the first step to understand programing. Is this the right thing or I should just cram the code?
A. YES. I believe you need databases for whatever application you have in mind.

Q4) Considering I am not in a hurry and I am not money minded Where can I find simple projects that I can learn from or are there people out there who can offer me some tasks that I can learn from as I work for them and they assist me grow in the langauge? remember am not interested in money but learning!
A. May be via the library? If you are keen on projects, I have quite a few projects in mind and wanted to work on it. Do PM me if you are keen.

Q5) All the same are there health practitioners out there who work as programmers?
A. I don't know. Some IM that I know from health practioners background, usually outsource their web projects cos they have the cash and I am one of those in need of that cash.
If you are having a project in mind, would you mind collaborate together?


Hope it will be useful for you!

I started with the syntax and am enjoying it truly, stack overflow has become my new home thank you all of you!

I've programmed in many languages for over 20 years now. Core PHP Programming was one of the best PHP books I've ever purchased.

ISBN13: 9780130463463
ISBN10: 0130463469

You should go with W3schools, they have really nice & easy tutorials & will make you learn fast.

Thank you all of you

Hi SmartDoctor,

To learn PHP, I really suggest you to start with:

1. w3schools.com

2. Buy this 2 books from sitepoint.com
- Build*Your*Own Database*Driven*Web*Site Using*PHP*&*MySQL, 4th Edition from
- THE PHP ANTHOLOGY

3. Download any free php scripts from hotscripts.com / sourceforge.net and edit the script (make it more advance)

4. Explore the php.net.

5. Enjoy!

p.s - I did use those steps to learn PHP... And today, I can code my own PHP scripts from scratch.

I have just completed my php from w3schools.com . They are just great.

all website suggested by friend's very useful and point out for every were

If it's for the fun and love of the code, I highly recommend Visual Basic for the simple fact that you can develop you're own software as well as implementing it with ASP to create dynamic paged websites.