Learning php online

[meanweaver]

I am looking to learn php, Currently i understand basic html and have done some real basic Javascript and a tiny bit of sql and asp to get results from a database on a college course, I dont really have any understanding of programming and have only used php for includes on my site,

As i have a day job so university ect is out, so does anyone know of an online course that will teach the very basics of php. I am based in the uk but would need something where i can ask online questions probably.

Regards Ian

[Robber]

Hi Ian,

Good news, there are literally tons of php tutorials on the net that you can view for free.

If you are starting out and want to learn php as you are going along I would say try and think of something fairly simple but useful you could add to your site using php, then search the net for a tutorial on that and progress from there. You can go through step by step whilst you learn.

Once have got something simple working try something a bit more ambitious, but again search the net for some tutorials to see how its done.

All the time you go through those tutorials look at the code and refer to php.net where you can find an explanation of the code being used.

Over time you will see whats going on and begin to write the code yourself.

Cheers

[theriddla1019]

To tell you the truth the way i learned php was looking through the posts in this forum. And testing them on my own site. With a few minor shoves in the right directions mainly from coopster and jatar i had a 3 week crash course in php and now have 6 sites with over 20php pages in each for work. (and work good they do) :) At first i started looking at the online tutorials and they didnt explain things they should, the little things that to people who know the code think they are common knowledge... but on here people actually take the time to explain things, and yet another nice thing about this forum is they mostly explain and not "code" it for you forcing you to learn and understand.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me on my way and good luck to you meanweaver on your new journey! :P
(ok enough acting silly)

[MrSpeed]

Another great way to learn is to modify existing scripts. Try to add additional features. This way you also get to see different coding styles too.

[Timotheos]

I think the manual at php.net is the best. I've spent a lot of time poking around there and looking at the user notes. Their link page is also good for other php sources.

[jatar_k]

I started with a form mailer that didn't do what I wanted. I then went to dynamic templates, CMS, custom tracking system and a sales/contacts system in my first 6 mths. There weren't really any books out then and I have only ever really referred to php.net.

It really does help to have a goal and a few downloaded scripts and then work from there. All of the hypothetical situations help a little but nothing is better than having a specific project to fuel your learning.

[Birdman]

Yep, I'd start with reading the PHP Manual [php.net] first. Not the WHOLE thing but the first four sections should get you acquainted with PHP basics.

[meanweaver]

Thanks all for your info, Well i have been looking though many site tutorials but i think the advice about getting a script and changing it around may help, however i have been doing this with a few scripts but i can only change the obvious and have no idea how the rest works, but my aim now is to get a script that produces search results from a simple database combined with sql as i can see this being of use to me, also we have been doing this at college but with asp not php.

Thanks again for all advice your probably be seeing some php questions from me soon

Regards Ian

[lasko]

Hi,

Well I started about 6 months ago maybe more, loose track these days :)

I started with a php form and the mail command.

I then moved on to inserting, deleting and editing a Mysql database.

Then after buying a simple book made for dummies :) I started to learn about loops, arrays, if statements and more.

Don't try to learn it all at once, you wont be able to.

Just take it step by step I tend to think about what i want to build and I graudually know what building blocks I will need.

I can never remember the correct code but I know what would be required so I just flick through my book or the net to find the correct syntax.

I would love to have a discussion on best practice in php and how others manage to handle / remember their blocks of code?

One thing I did learn the hard way was the planning and organisation. If you don't plan it through properly you end up with a lot of adjustments and headaches down the line.

You have to always think about better ways your program could operate and push your self to think of alternatives that would be more effective.

Have fun learning its well worth it, and dont give up it takes time.

:)