Learning PHP

Where to begin

[hereforinfo]

I've been bidding out many php/mysql projects for the past year. I'm at the point where i need to learn this language for myself. I feel uncomfortable knowing if there is a problem I'm stuck waiting for help. Can someone point me in the right directions where to begin. What books to start with and other things I need to know before i start. I'm ok with basic websites but that's it. I appreciate all the help Thanks in Advance

[coopster]

Welcome to the PHP forum here at WebmasterWorld, hereforinfo.

You're in luck. Our PHP Forum Library has a thread specific to your request:

Learning PHP - Books, Tutorials and Online Resources [webmasterworld.com]

[Sarah Atkinson]

my ppersonal opinion is sitepoint's build you own database driven website. although this is a starting point only.

[directrix]

Also, go to amazon.com book search, and search "php security" (without the quotes) in the title field. May as well learn good security habits from day one.

[PeteM]

"Also, go to amazon.com book search, and search "php security" (without the quotes) in the title field. May as well learn good security habits from day one."

Sorry but I disagree. You will be completely out of your depth trying to understand concepts like 'sql injection' until you have a good understanding of the basics.

My advice would be to think of a simple application, perhaps like an email handler then buy a book like "Visulal Quickstart Guide" and build your little application. Then take your form and use it to write to a database. Build up gradually until you've covered all the major functions.

Pete