How do I learn php?

Crackodoom

I know literally nothing about php. I like several aspects of php, and want to know more. Where would someone with zero scripting knowledge begin? I've found several sources, but they all assume that I have some knowledge.

Myriadz

Sitepoint's book "Build Your Own Database Driven Website using PHP & MySQL" is a good book! Teaches you from the ground up!
You may also download the 1st 4 chapters to read....

All can be found at:

http://www.sitepoint.com

Cheers!

cgraz

books are awesome. The two books I used were

PHP Fast and Easy Web Development by Julie Meloni(e)

and

PHP and MySQL Web Development by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson

Also, check out online tutorials. devshed.com has a great series called 'PHP 101' for beginners. Click the PHP link along the left I believe. You can also just run a search on google for PHP tutorials. This forum is a great resource. But don't worry, PHP has an awesome online community. You'll have no problem learning.

Cgraz

Mordecai

http://php.resourceindex.com is a very good site.

PS (also edit): Most people will tell you that books are the best solution, keep in mind that this is all an opinion. Most programming books are very expensive, and not really worth the money. I've never consulted a PHP book before, and I could program easily as well as someone who's read over 20.

lewzer

This is the path I'm currently on. Zero programming/scripting background:

Visual Quickstart, PHP for the World Wide Web -> SAMS, Teach Yourself PHP in 24 Hours -> SAMS, PHP and MySQL Web Development (2nd Edition)

I think this is a really good progression for someone starting from nothing and wanting as quick a start as possible. I finished reading the first two in my list and am on the big one now.

Not everyone thinks the same (obviously), so I think it's important to read books by as many (comfortably) different authors as possible if you are new to this. Emphasis is placed on aspects of PHP differently from author to author, so while you may be reading the same stuff, you pick up things from one author that the other may have completely ignored or merely glossed over. You also get varied opinions as to syntax, layout, etc. It makes for a well rounded experience (at least for me).

Go to amazon.com and read the comments on the various books. It will give you a good idea.

-L

Norman_Graham

Originally posted by Mordecai
http://php.resourceindex.com is a very good site.

PS (also edit): Most people will tell you that books are the best solution, keep in mind that this is all an opinion. Most programming books are very expensive, and not really worth the money. I've never consulted a PHP book before, and I could program easily as well as someone who's read over 20.

Yeah, books don't offer any more info than what you can get on the web and they're expensive, but they do offer a permanent reference resource on your shelf. You can, of course, pop in and out of PHP.net to get the online manual, but I find the explanations there less than helpful in many cases (when are they going to stop with that foobar stuff?!?). I also use a dial-up net connection, so popping in and out of the net is a pain.
I used to be able to hold huge amounts of facts details in my head, but now I have kids and get no sleep and can't remember what I had for breakfast. A book is a blessing in such cases.
Buy a book if you can afford it and then use the net to supplement what's in the book. Btw unless you're one of those people who carries a super-dooper compact notebook with a wireless net connection around with you, you'll find a book is a good way of learning PHP on bus and train journeys ... at the beach, in bed etc.

Best o luck

Norman

planetsim

I to have not read a book to learn PHP. But it is a matter of opinion.

If your motivated to really motivated to learn i dont recommend a book. My reason for this. Although it may seem harder. Once the book doesnt teach you anymore. Your going to want to keep refering to it. And not really being able to maximise the full potential of php. Now it may not sound true but one of my friends is like that.

Now if you do decide to go with a Book. I do recommend Sams MySQL PHP Development.

mo0ness

With my experience, heres my advice...

Buy a basic book that introduces you 2 the language and some of its aspects with examples. A book like this can cost you ONLY £15..I got mine for this price when I first started. Read the book stage by stage, and copy the examples and try them, work out how they work, try the examples on your own..and then move on.

When you get a more advanced book..a good book with everything you need typically costs anything at around £40.. I have the PHP 4 Bible.

Use the online manual @ php.net. Good luck!

Also! DONT RUSH! 🙂

Large

I also have this book :

PHP Fast and Easy Web Development by Julie Meloni(e)

and its helped me alot.

Link : Premier Press

Kind Regards