PHP Absoulute Beginner

tylercollins

Hey Guys!

I don't usually post in this part of the forum, I'm usually found lurking around the weather part and minecraft (so bloody addictive!!).

Anyway, I've been working now the past year as a front end web developer specialising in html and css (very much advanced in both).

I build all my websites on top of wordpress and would consider myself advanced in terms of using it, setting it up, and making it do what the client wants it to do.

I can use the PHP code, and have half an idea as to what it does, but I would like to learn how to build web applications in it, and to customize wordpress even more!

How did you start out developing in PHP? Can you recommend any websites, books even courses?

With regards to the courses, my current boss is willing to pay for me to go on a course if I can find one.

If anyone could give me any advice or even point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks
Tyler

Tomas_S

http://www.scd.ie/Web_Programming/Default.320.html

Maybe this will do

chakotha

Lynda.com have a few online courses.

PHP with MySQL Essential Training


PHP with MySQL Beyond the Basics

thelikelylad

Hey tylercollins! I first started learning PHP in a class I had in college. Previously I'd only ever seen and experimented with bits and pieces through Wordpress like yourself.

I'd definitely check out the PHP section on W3Schools . It starts off at the basics and works its way up to some more advanced topics. I always find myself coming back there every once in a while.

I'd also recommend installing a local Apache/PHP/MySQL server application such as WAMP (for Windows) or MAMP (for Mac) on your machine and having a go with some of the W3Schools tutorials. This will allow you to get more familiar with the MySQL/Database side of things too (If you're not already )

Additionally Nettuts+ has some really nice tutorials on all things web and PHP so that might be worth a look too!

tylercollins

Hi Everyone, thanks for taking the time to reply to my post.

I'm going to invest in a book or 2 at the end of the month and take on board all your suggestions especially the W3 schools one!

If anyone has any tips with in regards to actually learning or anything just say!

OREGATO

From my own experience, the best way to learn is to just run with it. Learn by your mistakes and investigate ways in which to do X, Y and Z with PHP.

For me, I'm coming from a .NET background, I'm doing a few sites on the side for myself and a few friends just to get up to speed with PHP and MVC (using Yii) This way, instead of just reading a load of books, I get to put it all into practice and learn as I go along. Finding the pitfalls with what I'm doing and how to avoid them next time.

I started off and said I wanted to learn PHP, but didn't know where to start.

I wanted to build websites but didn't have a clue how to create the menu items and a lot of different things, I then discovered MVC and looked into different frameworks such as Zend, CodeIgniter etc.. I'm now looking into Yii with a goal of changing an existing website I've built using Joomla, into a much more functional and useful site.

Hope this helps