php experts how did you learn it?

[nolimits4]

books? w3school?

i am totally new to it


any suggestions on how to tackle it?

[Think Big]

same here. today i uploaded linkex to my sever and it was asking me about php files and extensions and i had no idea how to make it work. i managed to get to software up loaded buy im not sure how to use it. i was in the book store today looking at books that covered some php but wasn't sure which one to get. so i guess ti have the same question? whats a good resource to learn php?

[odysseus]

I'm not master, but I can tinker with some rudimentary PHP fairly comfortably. For me, it was just a process of needing to do something, spending a crap load of time on google, and learning it. I think I've learned more by modifying basic scripts I've found on the net (espceially on sites like hotscripts.com) than I have from reading. Still, there are some good tutorial sites out there. Here are a few of my favorites:

http://www.goodphptutorials.com/
http://www.plus2net.com/
http://www.pixel2life.com/ (one of my favorite all around tutorial sites. can't say enough good about it)
http://www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp

I have also got a copy of this book that I keep by my desk. I recommend it.

Of course, keeping http://www.php.net in your bookmarks is useful if you encounter a php function you want to learn more about. The cool thing about PHP is that a lot if it is fairly plain language, and there is a function that does just about anything you need. For example, need to make a contact form, learn about the php mail() function. You can probably figure out how to make a very basic (meaning not very secure) mail script in a very short amount of time. Add in a couple other functions to secure it, and you have a contact form.

I've had some of the most fun learning PHP just by following some of the tutorials at that pixel2life site I posted. I'd recommend starting there. You can learn a lot without ever having to buy a book.

[nolimits4]

thanks for the advice and links

really appreciated it

[odysseus]

No problem

[Chang]

Originally posted by odysseus
For me, it was just a process of needing to do something, spending a crap load of time on google, and learning it.

That's how I learned too. Can't say I'm a PHP master either (Damn you, arrays!!!), but I learn things the same way as odysseus. I can't just sit and read a programming book cover to cover, I get too bored. I have to be motivated by a need to know.

Tizag.com is where I cut my teeth on PHP.

[odysseus]

Originally posted by Chang
Tizag.com is where I cut my teeth on PHP.

Yep, that's a good one. I've followed some tutorials there as well. For some reason, they never made it into the bookmarks. Thanks for reminding me about them.

[Cozy Monica]

I recommend checking out the tutorial sites before diving into books, just because most books are aimed at programmers that want to use the language. In general, you just need a grip on recognizing the basics and tutorial sites can give you that.

[nolimits4]

yeah i am doing the tutorials as i type

the whole security holes issues is making my head spin


how long did it take you to be decent with php?

[odysseus]

I guess it depends on what you want to consider decent. You can follow a bunch of tutorials for a month or so, and get to the point where you are comfortable hacking wordpress themes, possibly writing the occasional plugin if it suits you. After a few months you'll be wanting to make a little script to do all sorts of things. Back when I was doing free sites, I made a little script to manage my templates. I just filled out a form saying which template I wanted to use, the text I wanted on the free site, and clicked a button, and it instantly made my HTML for me. Then I just saved the output to .html files and uploaded it. Not a hugely advanced thing, but it was a little time saver. Had I known how to use php to upload files back then, it would've been an even faster process.

Will you be able to make a full fledged CMS quickly? Nope, but php is nice because even the basics are immediately usable. It's fun, and I keep on learning new things that it does. This week I'm going to start playing with SimplePie.

So, it depends on what your definition of decent is.

[pimpwork]

Originally posted by nolimits4
books? w3school?

i am totally new to it


any suggestions on how to tackle it?

if you are really inerested in Laerning PHP then the best, easisest and cheapest book available on internet is Learning PHP 5 By David Sklar. you can buy it on some major ebook selling sites