php 101: where to start, if i wanna' teach myself

php, tutorials

[papercut]

okay everything i know about web design i learned on my own. i never took a class in my life. and if i could, i'd like to keep it that way.

exactly how hard is php to understand? suppose i just wanna know enough to build message boards? (that question may expose my ignorance. only time will tell.)

where do i start? what should i focus on? where can i got tuturials? what are good books?

[DrDoc]

Do you have any previous programming experience?

PHP is much easier to learn and understand than some other programming languages. I recommend downloading the English manual (in chm format) from php.net [php.net]. It provides good search functions. Also, if you have a problem with a certain function, consult the manual directly online (the user comments towards the bottom of each page can provide very helpful).

Finally, you've already taken the most helpful step in learning PHP - Webmaster World. This forum is filled with skilled programmers that are willing to share their excellent knowledge. If you encounter a problem, don't be afraid to post a question on here and I'm sure someone will have an answer, or at least a helpful pointer.

[TheWebographer]

I would recommend "Beginning PHP4" from Wrox press to start with.

I would also lookup up "PHP Tutorials" on google. There are alot of good ones.

Expect to spend at least a couple of years to become proficient when you combine PHP with XHTML, CSS, MySQL, Apache server, and browser version issues.

[DrDoc]

Expect to spend at least a couple of years

Well, I wouldn't be quite that blunt... even though it might be true. It takes a lot of work to become "proficient". However, you will quickly learn how to use simple functions for printing things to the browser.

For example...

<?php echo "hello world";?>

...would print "hello world" to the browser. Easy, isn't it? And, guess what... now you're close to an expert when it comes to printing stuff to the browser ;)

Of course, there's much more to it, but it's a good start...

[willybfriendly]

I have found "PHP and MySQL Web Development" by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson to be a good start and reference. (ISBN 0-672-31784-2)

WBF

[jatar_k]

hey papercut,

for me the most important thing was to have a project to work on. I learned using only php.net and familiarizing myself with the functions needed for each new project.

As DrDoc says, it won't take years, slowly but surely you get more accustomed to the basic functionality and then expand your knowledge for each new project.