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Wanting to learn PHP, but need some tips.

L

leglez

Platinum Member
I am fairly decent with HTML, and CSS. But I am wanting to get into PHP, and MySQL, because HTML is just starting to get boring because you can't do anything but design with it. I have the hardback copy of Hudzilla's PHP in a Nutshell. I also purchased MySql in a Nutshell. I bought these about a year ago, but never had the time to fully learn it. I am going to start reading again tonight. I was wondering if anyone could give me a suggestion of what order to read the chapters in. Also I was wondering what are some simple things to make? What is the first thing most people normally make? Could someone give me tips on how to make them. Should I look at other PHP scripts, like Forums, and try to edit stuff before trying to make something like a calculator? Any tips would be helpful.
 
The author of the book probably did a half decent job of arranging the chapters in an appropriately readable order.
 
Originally posted by: leglez
Ok so is there a different order I should read them in?
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Yes, read them backwards, because authors of introductory books usually put the basic, fundamental information at the back and the difficult material in the front. :roll:
 
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: leglez
Ok so is there a different order I should read them in?
Click to expand...

Yes, read them backwards, because authors of introductory books usually put the basic, fundamental information at the back and the difficult material in the front. :roll:
Click to expand...

What is this echo you speak of!? I need to start with regular expressions!!!
 
If you don't have any prior programming experience, then following the book is probably a good idea. But if you already know some basic programming ideas (variables, functions, control structures) then just find a little project and figure out how to do it. I wouldn't start by looking at forum software, though - those tend to be large packages, with lots of code for preferences, authentication, and sophisticated design. Start simple - something like a form that starts as a GET, and then POST's back to itself and dumps the data into an SQL table. Make the form about whatever you like, maybe music albums or something. Then add input validation to the form and make sure you understand how to avoid SQL injection attacks. From there you can do lots of things.
 
The little bit of php I know I learned by trying to modify phpbb. I found it much faster than reading tutorials and designing stuff from scratch. But at that point I knew a few other languages and had a rough understanding of http already.
 
think of a simple project, a web app that you want for your site

then build it


maybe a contact form?
start simple, submit form, mail the data
then error trap that data
then put that data in a database
etc
 
Originally posted by: troytime
Originally posted by: LoKe
First project should always be a guestbook.
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my sarcasm meter is off...
you're kidding right?
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Why would he be kidding? A simple guestbook would be a really easy app to write.
 
I wouldn't even touch a pre-built forum, especially not PHPBB. Those forums are riddled with problems and elaborate code. Start simple so that you're not overwhelmed.

A simple guestbook is one of the easiest things to start with. All you need to learn is to work with forms and, depending on how far you want to take it, (My)SQL. I can assure you that forms and SQL databases play a major part in all the PHP work that you'll ever be doing, so start with that.

If you have any questions, just let us know. 😉
 
Ok thanks, LoKe do you have AIM or MSN? Just in case I have a question I can contact you cause you seem to know what you are talking about. If not I can just PM you if I have problems.

Also I got Xampp set up so that I don't have to upload stuff to test it.
 
Originally posted by: troytime
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: troytime
Originally posted by: LoKe
First project should always be a guestbook.
Click to expand...

my sarcasm meter is off...
you're kidding right?
Click to expand...

Why would he be kidding? A simple guestbook would be a really easy app to write.
Click to expand...

because a guestbook is...old fashioned and useless?
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter. The basics are there and it's simple. A guestbook is the equivalent of a comment section, aswell as the basis for a news management system and a forum.
 
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