Getting started PHP

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Getting started PHP

CRweb

4:29 pm on May 16, 2007 (gmt 0)

I have been constructing HTML websites for several years. Background is Graphic Design, Photography, Photoshop, HTML, Dreamweaver etc. Just recently started a website using CSS and Dreamweaver and working my way through it including image swaps, cascading menus and other good stuff. Now wanting to dive into PHP and some server side work. Any suggestions on learning PHP material and a direction to take? What about Dreamweaver and PHP?

Tastatura

4:38 pm on May 16, 2007 (gmt 0)

There are bunch of books on the market about learning PHP and most all will *start* you in the right direction. You will find php.net [php.net] as an valuable online resource, and check out this forum's library [webmasterworld.com] as well

Oh, and welcome to WebmasterWorld

[edited by: Tastatura at 4:38 pm (utc) on May 16, 2007]

CRweb

4:46 pm on May 16, 2007 (gmt 0)

I've been working on the front end of our new site using as much CSS as possible. We've decide to bail out of messy tables and code. Later a back end of data will be added by someone else. I would like to use some includes (templates) for page design. Is it true the include pages must use .php extension? And what about the beta test site? Does it need to be set-up for the include files? Am I asking good questions?

ItzFX

2:45 am on May 17, 2007 (gmt 0)

I don't think the php include file 'blah'; actually needs a php extension, I've used it with *.inc files just fine.

eelixduppy

2:49 am on May 17, 2007 (gmt 0)

>> I don't think the php include file 'blah'; actually needs a php extension, I've used it with *.inc files just fine.

Be careful with this. If the files aren't hidden below the webroot or they don't have a .php extension (or an extension parsed as php), then they can be seen as plain text, possibly giving away information that you want to keep private. To be safe, I always use .php, or something like .inc.php.

>> Any suggestions on learning PHP material and a direction to take?

Get a book, sit down, and read it :)

Once you have the basics down, dive right on into creating your own scripts. After a little experimentation, you'll be well on your way. Also, ask and contribute as much as you can here at WebmasterWorld. You'll soon realize that this community is the ultimate learning experience.

Happy learning :)