Learning PHP

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I am a photographer by trade and with the current market I am looking to broaden my skill into web design. I would not only like to learn XHTML/CSS also more advanced things like javascript and php/mysql .

I was planning to take a college course but I have found a lot of online resources that have taught me a lot already. I use Lynda.com to learn many different applications and I just noticed they have a PHP title

PHP with MySQL Essential Training - lynda.com Online Training Library®

Has anyone used Lynda.com before? What are your views on their PHP course? You can view the first dozen or so free. So far it looks good and it is an easy to learn format so i look forward to the 10hrs of tutorials on PHP!

If anyone has any similar sites that offer online tutorials like this for advanced web development please let me know.

thanks,

Loubo44
#programming #learning #php
  • I haven't used Lynda before, but I'll check it out, looks like a great resource. Here are my suggestions for other tutorials about PHP (not my sites, no affiliation).

    BEGINNERS PHP VIDEO TUTORIALS

    Free PHP Tutorials - freeprogrammingresources.com

    PHP Tutorials: Writing PHP Scripts, Installing and Configuring PHP Scripts, etc (thesitewizard.com)
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
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  • Learning php/MySQL can be a very good thing. Automated many of my tasks over the years.
  • I have used several lessons from Lynda.com and a few of their books and I haven't been disappointed with the content or the quality. Some of their instructors are less than captivating and have a pretty deadpan delivery that doesn't always draw you in. But the content is still good, and you get your money's worth usually.
    • [1] reply

    • I REALLY love Lynda.com and have learned a lot from portrait retouching to video editing too bad they don't have affiliate linking!
  • Skip PHP and go straight for Python/Django.

    Much faster to develop web applications, and you'll have to write a lot less code.
    • [1] reply

    • That actually brings up a good point and possible new thread.

      As a beginning Web Developer/Internet Marketer what are the programming languages and/or essential skills you must have or should learn?

      This is my plan

      php/mysql
      tighten up my XHTML and CSS
      javascript
      flash
      and tighten up my Dreamweaver/Photoshop integration.
      I am already ver proficient in Photoshop CS3 and Video editing

      I will also look into Python/Django.

      I want to be able to run affiliate marketing and membership sites so is there anything else I should learn??
  • Honestly, unless you have a *very* good reason to start with PHP I would bypass completely, or look into some sort of PHP framework or Django. Otherwise, it simply takes too much time to program what you want in it.

    For example, I can often deliver a full application (with great looking admin backend) to clients within 1 week (not counting large projects). All with form validation, pretty URL, settings, templates etc.

    That same application could take me 4-5 weeks in just PHP with my own classes, and would be a lot buggier.

    There is just no comparison (and I have programmed in PHP for more than 5 years). I am still going to get my Zend Certification but PHP is losing the battle against frameworks such as Django
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    • Actually, the reason why i'm learning it is that is what I thought is needed to make membership sites. From what I have been told, php and mysql is the most popular thing to learn other than HTML and css.

      What should my course of action be?

      Another reason I chose php is because of the amount of online training tutorials. I cannot go back to school because of my work schedule so can u reccomend an online training website or other training resources for python or your other reccomendations please.
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  • Banned
    i never heard about it before, well i ill browse it and then let you know my opinion about that site
  • I'm going to look into django, too, but I'm already knee-deep in php.

    I like PHP VIDEO TUTORIALS FOR WEB DESIGNERS
  • This is *the* beginner's book for PHP. It was first released as a series of articles about 8 years ago, and was wildly popular at the time, and I think actually helped fuel the mass conversion from Perl to PHP back then. It's since been turned into a book with more than 3 major editions to keep up with changes in the language and the platforms we run it on.

    I strongly recommend this book for someone that's comfortable with HTML and wants to start learning PHP. It takes you all the way through building a functional CMS for a humor site (writing, editing, deleting jokes, joke authors, etc). It's the foundation of what you need to create any type of dynamic site with PHP & MySQL.

    Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using PHP & MySQL - SitePoint Books
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  • Programing PHP -- en DOT wikibooks DOT org/wiki/PHP

    Checkout php.net
    Frameworks are great ... cakephp.org

    Graham
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  • LouBo,

    What is it you want to do with PHP?

    I ask because there are tons of open source scripts and systems out there that you can use to give you a leg up. Sure, you will need to learn PHP to get advanced, but you can start creating great, highly functional sites TODAY.

    Personally, I really like Drupal... its PHP, but the framework is very flexible and powerful. You could build a great site in almost no time, and there is great community support for free and hundreds of modules and add-ons.

    Actually, there is a big lack of good graphic designers and themers out there... if you have an artistic flair and some Photoshop experience, then you could make a killing.
    • [2] replies
    • For Drupal? Because there's no lack of "web designers" today.

    • Basically what I want to do is create mini sites for ebooks and courses I plan to create.

      And I would also like to create a photo gallery that in order to view the photos for free you have to enter your email or cell phone. Then I would like to add the numbers and emails to text and email campaigns for promotions.

      Any help on the best direction for that would be greatly appreciated.
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  • GO for w3schools.com tutorials W3Schools Online Web Tutorials , they are best and free. I've learned a lot from this site.
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    Learning PHP

    I am a photographer by trade and with the current market I am looking to broaden my skill into web design. I would not only like to learn XHTML/CSS also more advanced things like javascript and php/mysql . I was planning to take a college course but I have found a lot of online resources that have taught me a lot already. I use Lynda.com to learn many different applications and I just noticed they have a PHP title