Question about PHP / HTML formatting

[mdkelly]

Hello all,

First post to the forum, but I know it will not be my last.

I am very new to PHP, but have been given the task of creating a web interface for our mysql database at work. I am just getting started on this project and am very excited as there is no better way to learn something to jump in with both feet.

My question surrounds formatting of the PHP / HTML pages. I know there are a variety of ways to mix the two within a single web page, all PHP that writes the HTML code with print statements, mostly PHP code that builds the HTML document in a variable and that variable is printed to the screen at the end of the document, and a mixture of straight HTML code with PHP code placed where you need it, are three that come to my mind.

What I would like is a few of the more seasoned PHP programmers to give their opinions regarding their preferred method of mixing the two code types. As I said I am just starting out with PHP and would like to get off on the right foot.

Thank you for any and all input
mdkelly

[bubblenut]

Well, from the top down; I have a template file for each page on my site, this sets some vars and then includes a mediator file which ties the whole thing together. The mediator file includes all my class/function files, then the page logic file, then the header section, then the left section (in my case a button bar) then the center and finally the footer (just closes off all the div tags really).
This is just one way of laying out the structure but I like it because it means that all the logic and display are seperate. it also means that if I want to change the header I only have to change one file. Also, when changing the center area (something which may have to be done quite often for some pages) I don't have to sift through loads of insignificant code.
HTH
Bubble