How to Learn PHP

[Balrog]

I would like to learn PHP scripting because my web host has it on their servers and i have heard nearly every where I go that it is good for making cool, up to date web sites, this is what I need...

But there is somthing amiss, I am finding it hard to get a good "foot hold on the langauge" It is both me and the reasources that I have; a mental block and no where to install it. Infact I don't even know how to install it.
Hopefully soon I will get an Apple, at the momment I have Windows Xp Home which dosn't let you install php and mysql.

So if anybody has any handy resources for a new php learner (and i mean new) It would help me alot.

I have been to an article URL=http://www.sitepoint.com/article/php-amp-mysql-1-installation/7 on site point but has confussed me by talking about intalling php and mysql on a server.

[ZibingsPrez]

*raises an eyebrow*

*looks at his running copies of Apache, MySQL, and PHP on his WinXP Home*

*raises his other eyebrow*

Well, it's not impossible to install on WinXP, you can go find PHPTriad or something similar, and it'll do it for you.

As to your desire to learn it...best place is honestly the www.php.net manual. You can download it. At the very least you need to know how to use it. Then you can go somewhere like here and find someone who's maybe willing to give you some help on learning. I however...am hesitant, especially after your apparent preference of Macintrash over...well...anything else. :p (If you're really serious about learning it, let me know, I'd be glad to teach you when I have a bit of time).

[Balrog]

I was thinking of getting a mac for designing perposes and i knew that it has a Unix system
unix = php for me
I'll have a look at the manual

[whoisgregg]

Have you tried visiting the official php site?

PHP documentation [php.net...]
FAQ [php.net...]
Getting help [php.net...]

I am just getting started with PHP and I've found those three areas very helpful so far. :)

[mikemcs]

Do a Google search for "FoxServ Project" that should get you started with the install.

[isitreal]

The install on w2k is pretty easy, if you read the directions, only a few little hangups like finding out how to start mysql/apache as services, takes a little patience but once done, it's done, a day's work and you're ready to go.

I went for the individual components installation, following good advice, and still think it's good advice, even if it does require a little reading (download each package, then read the install.txt, the readme.txt, etc for each.

Install mysql first, get it running, then install apache, then php, it works fine, I think that's the order.

[Balrog]

I was looking at the faq section on php.net
what is a binary program?

[timster]

Hey, don't mind the Mac haters, you've got a sound idea.

If you're looking to learn PHP, Apache, and MySQL, your XP box will work just fine.

But it sounds like you also want to learn more about Unix, and the Mac can help you with that. The best thing about learning Unix on the Mac is you can do it at your own pace -- you still have a polished GUI to use.

You can save some money by just subscribing to a Unix or Linux Web host, which could run you maybe $5/month.

If you've got Mac-specific questions, you might want to post them in the (completely unbiased) Macintosh Webmasters forum.

[isitreal]

Binaries are the compiled version of the software, basically any windows program you download is in binary form, all it means is that you can download it, click it, and the installer will start installing the program. That's opposed to the source code, which you would need to compile into binaries then install, that's for much more advanced users.

[Balrog]

I would prefer the later method my self, click and install.

[nalin]

Oreilly:
programming php (php only)
web database applications (php and mysql)
php cookbook (examples suited to many a purpose)

These three were used for a class a year or two ago and I still find I reference them regularly.