new to this php thing and what to know more about it

odababy

😕 im new to this php stuff and i would like to know more about it. like how to use this language, and what programs i would need. :rolleyes:

jpmoriarty

Personally, I'd recommend "PHP and MySQL" by luke welling and laura thomson (ISBN 0--672-31784-2), but you can probably do tutorials online if you wished.

What you need for it - well, first off you need a web server of sorts, either a free one like "Apache" or one that you may already have (you will if you hav XP pro) like Microsoft IIS. THen you need the PHP program (available from php.net , and it's a good idea to have a database too, and loads of people use MySQL . When you've got all those then follow the various instructions for installing them each, come back here and ask questions when it doesnt work (cos it probably wont!) and then you can start coding!

borrmaskin

If you want to learn how to install thing i think you should go with the previous post.

Another way would be to find a free host that uses PHP.
Take a look at
http://www.webhosts4free.com/search.php?SA=php
and you will find a bunch.

buy a book.
Find tutorials on the web
Figure out a simple problem to solve, like a mailform, showing time and date on the webbpage or something
solve the problem....

You dont need any special editor to write PHP.
Start with the one you use for HTML.

8ride

I use Macromedia HomeSite to write all my php. Its an extremely simple program (basically notepad on steroids). I like to use it because it always sets up the base page for you and colors all of your code automatically making it easier to distinguish. Otherwise, just use notepad.