How to get started in PHP

CSRPhoto

Ok, in general I am a newbie to web design, but am very interested in learning all that I can. I wish I had some kind of formal training, but financially it's just not an option. So I'm trying to learn as much as I can on my own via the internet. So here's my dilemma, I'm creating a family website and want to add a bloggers page. I downloaded what seems to be a pretty cool PHP blog, but since I know nothing about PHP, I don't know what I'm supposed to do with the files. The blog is MyBloggie 2.1.2 if that helps. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to utilize this? Thanks.

halojoy

🙂

For use of any PHP script you need a webserver running with PHP istalled.
This means a HTTP Server that can execute PHP.

Webserver
1. Can be like mine, a personal webserver.
I downloaded Apache free webserver zip, and installed it in my PC.
I run this Apache, using the IPadress of my Internet connection.
http://254.21.56.111/index.php (faked number)

All my php-pages is in a folder of my harddrive:
C:\webpages\

You can put (upload) your php pages to a host server.
This is often called Webspace and there are free or some pay for it.
There are beginning to be more and more free webhostings
that support PHP.
Even if database mySQL you have to pay extra for, mostly.

One such free service is Tripod: Tripod.Lycos.com
They give you 20 MB of their harddrive for free.
There are several others, too.

Are you willing to pay for webspace, there are 100 or 1000 of options.
Providing full support of PHP and SQL databases.

PHP was from beginning developed for Apache http server.
They work good as a team!
mySQL database has become somewhat of a standard for PHP.

Apache, PHP, mySQL is the ruling TRIO.

🆒

halojoy

Originally posted by CSRPhoto
- I am a newbie to web design,
- I'm creating a family website and want to add a bloggers page.
- I downloaded what seems to be a pretty cool PHP blog, 'MyBloggie 2.1.2'
- I don't know what I'm supposed to do with the files.
- Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to utilize this?
Thanks.

If you want to setup a personal webserver, in your own PC (as described above)
we should like to know if you have Linux or WindowsXP.
So we can give you advice what web server software to download and install.
Apache FREE server comes for Linux or Windows install: http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi

A very good alternative is to download an install package.
There are several good packages which have Apache + PHP + mySQL database.
I do not remember all packages, but there is one 'Easy PHP'.
Another is 'PHP Triad' or something like that.
🙂

If you dont want to install a webserver at your PC,
you need to get some webspace (someone else's PC).
For FREE or for money.

This is called webhosting
People setup server, and host other peoples websites.
If harddrive is 80 GB, they can host 800 people with 100 MB webspace each.
If it is 'for free' you might have to add advertising at your websites pages.

😉