What do I need to start PHP scripting?

[may_hem1]

I have to learn PHP scripting, and need to know what I need to test it from home.

I have Windows 2000 Server running IIS. Do I need to do anything to it to use it for PHP? Do I just save files with a .PHP extension to make it work? Or do I need to install Apache or something else?

What are the best PHP coding tools out there? I was using HomeSite and Dreamweaver for ASP coding. Can I just use them or are there better PHP coding environments?

Thx,
May

[Timotheos]

If you're all ready using HomeSite then check out this site [wilk4.com]

[Sinner_G]

You don't need to install Apache or any other web server, PHP runs very well on IIS. There are a couple of adjustments you have to make so it knows what to do with files with a PHP extension, but if you download the installer from php.net downloads [php.net], the adjustments are made automatically. This site is also the best source to start with.

As for environment, I use a text editor.

[edited by: jatar_k at 8:26 pm (utc) on Sep. 24, 2003]
[edit reason] made link go to download page [/edit]

[Birdman]

As for environment, I use a text editor.

I'm with you, sinner_G. Notepad for me. Nothing like actually typing the code and learning by hand!

[may_hem1]

Thanks for your quick replies!

I'm happy coding by hand, though a code editor which colours keywords makes editing a lot quicker for me. Which are the best to use for PHP?

I'm looking into the other links now.

Thx!
May

[Timotheos]

You Notepad guys crack me up :-D

I consider HomeSite (not Dreamweaver) to be just one of those glorified notepads. Sorry, but I can't live without syntax highlighting. I'd also much rather drag and drop anchor links into the code. I see no point in hand typing these.

What I also like is the ability to incorporate the PHP manual into the HomeSite help. So all I have to do is put my cursor on a command, hit F1 and there it is. You don't even have to be online.

I'm sure there are better tools out there but if that's what you have then it's quite adequate.

[jatar_k]

www.textpad.com

[RussellC]

I actually use Dreamweaver to write HTML and PHP, but I turn everything off, put it in coder layout and have never even looked at the layout view. Using it this way it is almost exactly like Homesite.

Isn't Homesite basically built into Dreamweaver now anyways? I thought Macromendia bought Allaire.

[jatar_k]

www.phpedit.com (a little slow)

[Timotheos]

I thought Macromendia bought Allaire.

Yes they did. I was using the program even before Allaire owned HomeSite.

Isn't Homesite basically built into Dreamweaver now anyways?

You can still buy Homesite 5.5 as a stand alone program for $99.

There's a different version called Homesite+ which is integrated into Dreamweaver.

[dreamcatcher]

Me I code everything in conText. The colour highlighting makes it much more enjoyable to write code. An excellent freebie.

http://fixedsys.com/context/

:)

[ergophobe]

Never could get ConText to work for me like I wanted.

HAPEdit is a free text editor with good syntax highlighting and also has code completion and code hints. I've tried several, but I've settled into that one.

The other I liked a lot Active State Kommodo, but I think it got to be fairly expensive, plus the thing is huge and takes forever to load.

Tom

[cjpierce]

HTML-Kit works well too and has the right price tag for learning. ;)

[chami.com...]

[panic]

vim works wonders :P

-panic

[may_hem1]

I read about or tried most of these today and found that PHP Edit was the most promising, but sadly had software problems.

I was installing the last stable release v0.6 on a new Win2k installation but it crashed. Also the installation complained, and on startup it complained of component failure.

So I uninstalled that & tried the suggested new beta v0.7. Unfortunately that needed manual work to make it install properly and then it also crashed, again on the fresh Win2k.

May

[grey259]

I really like Zend Studio.. I haven't tried version 3, which just came out two weeks ago, but if it is as good as the 2.6 version then definitely download their free trial.

With this, you can compile your code without previewing it through a browser and webserver. This makes coding a _lot_ faster for me. Other features include code bookmarks, breakpoints, cvs integration... Check out their site. Here, follow my affiliate link (just kidding)