I'm Clueless, Please Help

Winged_Filly

I need to learn PHP in a relatively short period of time (that may sound stupid, but I work for the government and well..... need I say more). Can anyone give me some good resources to get me started?

Thanks,
Debi

eoghain

Do you know any other languages? If you know something like C or even Java then you should be able to pick up PHP fairly easily since it's syntax is very similar to C. If not I'd suggest getting a good book. I personally have liked the Core series.

Shameless link to my favorite bookstore

Winged_Filly

Nope - I'm totally new to all this. The closest I've come is writing reports with Crystal Report Designer and writing SQL queries (not close at all, I know)...I'm a database geek. Thanks for the advice.

Debi

eoghain

Well I come from a mainly Database background so don't worry too much about that. PHP is a very easy language, and all programming is just learning how to manipulate variables in different ways.

Keep the URL of this site there are many people here willing to offer lots of help when you run into problems.

Winged_Filly

I will.....THANKS!! :p

knelson

this site, obviously, is THE one-stop shop. extremely valuable.
the php.net manual pages have comments below most of the functions; they're harder to follow in some cases than a board like this, but still useful. and it's just good to get familiar with it.
Hughes: PHP Developer's Cookbook, pub. by SAMS, is good after you get a little more comfortable.
The Peachpit Press book by Larry Ullman is good for the basics.

There are also several books on MySQL that help to put PHP in a database context; that also helps things to click into place. In particular, pay close attention to anything by New Riders publishing.

anyway, those are my suggestions. read this board every day and you'll pick up volumes of great information.

good luck. knelson.