PHP

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I need to learn PHP - how do I start out and what do I need?
#programming #php
  • You can learn PHP programming without spending a cent. All you have to do is go down to your local local library and get a few books on PHP.

    Then go to http://www.apachefriends.org/en/index.html and download yourself a copy of XAMPP!

    This will let you setup a development platform for local testing.
    It will install a copy of :
    Apache web server,
    PHP,
    MySQL plus phpMyAdmin

    Using this lot, you can develop away to your hearts content.

    I hope this helps

    Bruce
  • If you're a visual learner, Leigh Mac over at PHP Video Tutorials - Like to watch the video instead of reading the book? has some great free (and paid for) videos. He actually manages to make PHP entertaining!

    HTH,
    Steve
  • Whilst you can learn 100% for free online, I personally recommend buying a book, especially if you haven't done any scripting language before.

    PHP can be tricky at first and there's a lot to take in; hence why I recommend learning it via a book.
  • i think w3schools is also having good resources about php you should start from beginner level and move on.
  • I got a book...and learned enough to be dangerous. At that point I just decided I was going to code a project & when I ran into something I didn't know how to do, I just went googling to find out.

    Some people just have to learn by actually doing it, and I'm one of them.

    Todd
    • [1] reply
    • I was the same A book can teach you quite a lot, but you also need to then go out and create some basic scripts too (as some of the books do suggest, to be fair)
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  • Just follow those suggested by our Warriors here, just read the book about PHP while you reading just type the source code in to your PC to easy understand how does PHP works.
  • I agree with Todd. Buy a couple of different books. Say a reference type book and one that has basic scripts, fuctions and tutorials. Then start from the bootom up. Once you have learnt some of the basics (a matter or hours / days) just use what you have learnt to write a couple of your own scripts. It doesn't matter what these scripts do, as long as you write them and they work.

    Then keep learning more. Expect some headaches along the way but when you solve a problem or find an error it's a good feeling.

    Make sure you have error reporting enabled.

    Good luck.
  • I third Andy and Todd - books are a good starting point. I like the PHP/MySQL bible, but even the PHP for Dummies books are pretty decent.

    Also, the Lynda dot com training videos are really good - lots of good practice and their latest ones are all about the Object Orientated Programming.

    Abook or a training course is a lot more structured than reading a bunch of websites - but set up a testing server on your local machine like Bruce said as soon as possible and get started.

    As for websites, w3schools is a good starting point, and net dot tutsplus dot com often have well written, comprehensive tutorials.

    Programming PHP and MySQL is a lot of fun! Good luck!

    Si
  • I'd go with shaddai's approach. You learn a lot about php by actually doing it, I believe.

    Makes me reflect how much learning php is actually very close to learning IM, the 'learning via doing' route.

    Hope that helps.
  • Do you have a background in Programming? Try to visit w3schools.com and buy a PHP book on the nearest bookstore on your town. After that, install XAMPP of apache friends so that you have PHP, Apache and Mysql on your PC to test what you've learned on the book.
  • if you want to learn PHP,you can visit more site related put keyword PHP in search engine of google , you will get e-book and site also,,i also done this like there will be get tutorial.

    thanks
  • Check out the "Learning" series of books published by O'Reilly. "Learning PHP" is good and takes you step by step through the process.
    • [1] reply
    • the php website helped me a ton, just looking thru their examples
  • There are some great tutorials on this website....

    Here..
  • What code is used to make a visitor counter in php? I'm not sure what it's called, a counter that holds the number of all visitors who went to your website.
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    • You can get free counters from the web but generally this can be coded very easily with php. You would basically set up a mysql database and create a table with a couple of field. You could add more fields if you wanted to store more information about the visitor, ie - date, time, browser, IP etc.

      You'd then just write a bit of php that would (at minimum) increment the count in the database and update it. With every refresh it would retrieve the current count and display it on screen.

      To count only unique visits you could add the users IP to another database table and query that with each refresh to check whether the users IP already exists in that table before incrementing.

      The possibilities are endless.
  • This is the one you want:
    Learning PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript - O'Reilly Media

    Absolutely awesome guide, will get you from PHP newbie to an advanced coder in no time at all.
  • have you tried W3Schools?

    d
    • [1] reply
    • Three tips:

      1. If you are using MySQL with your programming learn about mysql_real_escape_string() and use it on all user supplied data. See PHP Security Consortium: PHP Security Guide: Databases and SQL

      2. Always encrypt passwords and generate a new password from your 'lost password' page. If passwords are encrypted then they are pretty much useless to a hacker.

      3. Learn about session hijacking and session fixation. See PHP Security Consortium: PHP Security Guide: Sessions

      That's really only scraping the surface, but being mindful of security while you are learning will definitely help in the long term. There are plenty of good texts and tutorials on the internet that cover PHP scripts and how to make them more secure.
  • I learned from this book and thought it was really great. There wasn't a bunch of crap to read through it just got to the point of things.

    Title: PHP 5 Fast & Easy Web Development

    Won't let me link cause of post count so you'll have to Google it.
  • i use echo echo and monkeyforums These are how i learned.
    But truly its best to come up with an idea you want to use a database for
    a contact list or organize your dvds or movies.
    make a project you will have fun with. that will encourage you to learn. and push yourself.
  • go to php.net

    there are some pretty good information over there
  • Once you've learnt the basics the best way to get going with PHP is to just start coding basic stuff. As you do that & get more and more advanced scripts you'll find you learn a lot by just searching through and using the PHP manual. The manual is available here: php.net/manual/en/
    • [1] reply
    • Someone earlier mentioned the PHP video tutorials website by Leighmac (link above or Google it: I can't link yet

      That's an excellent site which actually has 15 or 20 free lessons on it. Well worth your time and an easy way to get started.

      After that I'd also recommend picking out a project for yourself and just doing it. The best way to learn is to make tons of mistakes, figure out what the errors are, and then promise yourself you'll never pull your hair out by making that particular one again!

      Seriously, that's the one problem with books and tutorials: they can never drill home the point like doing something for yourself and wading through all the mistakes to finally get something working right.
  • First of all you need to strong your basics it means you should do prctice of html and css first and then you can learn php easily,

    Thanks,
    • [1] reply
    • We have a duplicate board at http://www.warriorforum.com/programm...asy-learn.html

      My recommendations:

      1. Before you start with php, you need to understand html. A good starting point is W3Schools Online Web Tutorials as mentioned by other. Don't get distracted by the other tutorials at the site - Learn the basic HTML before moving on.

      2. Get the php developer tools, server and basic training for FREE from Eclipse PHP Development Tools - Zend.com - Use their training and sample along with additional php training from w3schools. That should bring you up to speed without any expenses.

      3. Thereafter you can consider advanced courses or books.

      4. Then contact me. I always have work for php programmers and a veriety of freelancers

      Good luck - Good php programmers are always in demand

      PS: Don't waste time with ASP. I will never use ASP again for any site
  • If you ask me Just follow those optional by our Warriors here, just read the book about PHP while you reading just type the source code in to your PC to easy appreciate how does PHP mechanism.
    • [1] reply
    • I think you should keep making the tutorials. Your method of teaching is one that is very well orientated towards self education and forcing the student to go out a find the answer as opposed to handing it to them. You can also learn from online on w3schools websites.
  • You can learn php only by practice
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  • You can discover PHP programming without expenditure a centime. All you have to do is go down to your local library as well as get a elite books on PHP.
  • you need tow of them: apache server + php 5
  • I would agree with the book route. There are plenty of excellent tutorials out on the net. I would look into video training if you learn better that way. I would check out the Head First Series of books. SitePoint.com and php.net are among my favorite resources.
  • If you want to learn about PHP, I think you should first start with the basics. Go to w3c Schools website and learn some basics. After that you can start to code some simple programs in PHP and after that you can post your doubts in this forum and we can help you out
  • 1. Download an install MAMP, WAMP or one of those.
    2. Go find a nice Hello World tutorial
    3. Start expanding.

    php is the best language.. easy to learn, easy to code.
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  • Php is good when you need to get the technical aspects of a function and need to learn how it works, but if you're just starting on php you cant really learn much from php.net thats my experience, but of course its good to have it in the backhand if yuo need to get info about functions!
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