how to learn.

Chaotic_Reality

I thinking I'm just pathetic and not cut out for this at all, but what's the best way to learn how to code? I have books, but if I do the examples they don't work because register_globals are off, then when they don't work I don't know how to fix them for the most part. I don't want to turn register_globals on because that just seems like a cop out to me, and I lose the whole portability factor of the code that I might some day write. I've started reading some of the php.net manuel, but should I just read it all the way through, or should I read, and click on links as they're linked to terms or what, I just don't know. I have an idea for a first project but I don't even know how to start, and it entails MySQL, and I don't even want to mess with that until I at least know PHP decently....gah, so frustrating. 🙁

Norman_Graham

Hi Chaotic Reality

The manual is good for finding out about all aspects of any particular functions, constants etc. which you're using at the moment. I wouldn't suggest reading all of it like a book - it's a reference work.

Don't turn register_globals on, just use the standard methods for picking up globals when reg_glob is off:

$POST['$myvariable']
$GET['$myvariable']

You'll find these in the manual http://www.php.net/variables.predefined

The best way to learn is to decide what you want to do and then find out how to do it - you can't "know PHP decently" without addressing some practical projects. Design a website on paper (old envelopes and a pencil with an eraser do good service here) and then find out what you need to know to make it work. If you need MySQL, get it and start using it. If you think your website would work better with flat files as storage, find out what PHP can offer you in that direction. Thus, you will learn PHP.

HTH

Norm 🙂

GreyBoy

Hey, I agree with Norman. I think the best ideas are worthless with out planning.

If you have an idea for a program already, thats great. Take that idea and pick at it a lil. Decide everything you want this program to do. From there, take what you already know and put it to use.

Now, if you dont know the very basics like php syntax, simple control structures (if, if..else, while, etc...), etc..., I would suggest doing some more reading.

Next, start looking up certain details, reading specifc tutorials, or asking questions on functions or anything that you think could be of use to you, but you dont understand it. If you plain dont know what to use, a simple question like 'How do I make a mysql connection', if askes on this or any other related forums could be very helpful to you when the time comes to use databases.

Try not to put learning php in a whole chunck, rather, take the time to ask specific questions or do a specific search on google.

Just remember that you will not be writing professional code over night 😉 It takes time to learn a new language. Do you know any one who could speak french fluently after a week???

Here are some books that I have found helpful:

-> MySQL/PHP Database Applications by Jay Greenspan & Brad Bugler

-> PHP fast & easy web development by Julie Meloni

-> PHP for Dummies (not sure bout the author, but it shouldnt be too hard to find)

Also here are some great php resources:

-> phpBuilder Articles

-> phpIDE
-> DevShed

-> Onlamp.com

-> PHP Freaks

-> WeberDev

-> Classes - More advanced stuff

I hope that helps.

drawmack

I'm probably the only one here who is going to say this but if you do not already know how to program them I recommend the following

C++ in 24 hours
PERL in 24 hours
Java in 24 hours

once you hav esuccessfully completed all three of those books you'll be ready to learn a language for tutorials and the manual.

oh and as far as register globals goes here is how I deal with it

function reg_globals() {
    global $HTTP_GET_VARS,$HTTP_POST_VARS;
    foreach($HTTP_GET_VARS as $curVar) {
        global $$curVar;
        $$curVar = $HTTP_GET_VARS[$curVar];
    } //end foreach
    foreach($HTTP_POST_VARS as $curVar) {
        global $$curVar;
        $$curVar = $HTTP_POST_VARS[$curVar];
    } //end foreach
} //end reg_globals

$HTTP* variables have been depricated so you may wish to replace those with $POST and $_GET and then remove the global line. But this function is basically a soft implementation of reg globals.

GreyBoy

Originally posted by drawmack
I'm probably the only one here who is going to say this but if you do not already know how to program them I recommend the following

C++ in 24 hours
PERL in 24 hours
Java in 24 hours

once you hav esuccessfully completed all three of those books you'll be ready to learn a language for tutorials and the manual.

I agree with you on that. I actually started in C / C++ . I think starting with a OOP language can be very helpful.

Some more PHP books I thought of
-> SAM's Teach Yourself PHP in 21 days
-> SAM's Teach Yourself PHP in 24 hours
-> Oreilly's PHP in a nutshell
-> The complete reference: PHP

Norman_Graham

Not at all, Drawmack - your suggestions are excellent. As I slowly move from newbie to experienced beginner status, I've realised that all programming languages have certain things in common. Learning to programme isn't about specific languages, it's about a way of thinking. The language-specific syntax is secondary and is much easier to learn than the way of thinking. As my friend from Microsoft says, "You want to use PHP in an OOP way? - Read this Java book."

Norm

Chaotic_Reality

Thanks for the recommendations so far, just thought I'd bump it up to get some more opinions. About the C++, JAVA, Perl books, I'm not sure if I want to spend more cash on books, especially C++, JAVA, because I'm not quite sure I even want to know those languages (although I guess it couldn't hurt) - I'm in the networking field and just trying to learn this stuff on my own for my own benefit. I thought about giving Perl a whirl if I ever got the hang of PHP, but maybe I should look into the Perl book? Is that Perl in 24 hours a good beginner book? Because the first programming book I ever bought was Learning Perl, I forget what edition, but it's so freaking dry I want to gouge out my eyes.

Norman_Graham

Hi Chaotic

Those SAMS 24-h books are generally quite good as an introduction for beginners. Programmers rate them as a good start. If you just want to learn a little, they're perfect. The best way to use them is to do as instructed, i.e. work through each 'hour-long' chapter chronologically.

Books are generally quite expensive. You occasionally find books for free as PDFs, though. There are several Perl primers available for nothing and there's also a Java book by Bruce Eckel which you can download for free.

Best o luck

Norm

tambo

I'm pretty new to all this PHP myself (although I did get a programming background at uni). If you understand how to program much of PHP is easy, and these guys on the form are life savers.

I've found most of the SAAMS books pretty good to get a basic knowledge and anything that you don't understant these guys tend to know the answers.

At my desk in work I have SAAM's javascript, SAAM's PHP, SAAM's PHP MySQL & Apache which have all really helped and are pretty cheap off Amazon.

Also another really good for learning MySQL & PHP is 'Web Database Application with PHP & MySQL' by Hugh E. Williams & David Lane. Published by O'Reilly. This book has really helped me.

Anyway stick with PHP it does start to fall into place, and I'm still a newbie.