PHP Viewers/Editors

mlapage

I am trying to set up a blog using Wordpress. However, I am familiar with HTML coding, but not PHP. Is there a way to edit/view blog pages similar to webpages in HTML. I have downloaded a program 'NuSphere PhpED' (I have not used it yet) in order to view my blog and edit it before I upload it to my host?

I am a beginner-any recommendations on basic books?

Thanks, ahead of time for any help.

Mike

bretticus

However, I am familiar with HTML coding, but not PHP. Is there a way to edit/view blog...

I am not familiar with WordPress (well, with setting it up) , but I think perhaps what you really meant to ask is if you can see what your blog will look like before posting it.

Most blog/content management source code like WordPress incorporate templates to change the look and feel (layout) of the website. Usually, you have a few template options that you can choose from. If it's like the typical software of this type, you have to create a template folder (new one) and alter it to your liking. Typically, you control which template is used AFTER you install the software. Again, not sure, but I noticed a TON of information at the WordPress website.

That being said and if my assumption is correct, there is no way to see HTML all together before uploading your code to your server host unless you install WordPress locally on your machine and do the templating.

NuSphere is a good PHP editor. As far as books, I would just read up on the installation instructions at WordPress. They seemed very good. You might even try getting a book on WordPress since the setup and installation are specific (just like any software.) In other words, knowing PHP really well may not be such a big deal where you simply need to change layout (probably) and most of the actual PHP code will never need be touched.

mlapage

bretticus

I have downloaded a template and made a file folder for the template and have Wordpress software on my computer. The problem is my not knowing how to view the template, make a change and then view the template to see the change.

The files in the template folder are .php or .css. For websites, all of your pages are brought together generally, within an 'index.html' file which can be revised on your computer with an editor and then viewed. PHP does not seem to work that way.

Is the only way to change the blog template-uploading to the host server and using Wordpress software to add plug-ins and widgets? If there are no graphics on my template and I want to add one (or more) to the sidebar, is that done only on the host server?

bretticus

mlapage;10877491 wrote:
The problem is my not knowing how to view the template, make a change and then view the template to see the change.

Right, unfortunately, because the host server has to compile the PHP files and then render the HTML. This is normal for dynamic websites. And necessary for code were the layout can be modified so heavily (think if every WordPress website all looked pretty much the same like MySpace!)

One thing I think you may not understand is that PHP is not a competitor to HTML. It is an ends to a means. It's programming source code that is meant to run at the server. Programming at the "server-side" is what makes the website do its magic. PHP programming is there to render HTML for your browser automatically. That's why it's not available to your web browser. Your Web browser can not compile PHP.

mlapage;10877491 wrote:
Is the only way to change the blog template-uploading to the host server and using Wordpress software to add plug-ins and widgets? If there are no graphics on my template and I want to add one (or more) to the sidebar, is that done only on the host server?

Again, for being able to really see what your website looks like, the PHP code needs to be compiled. You could install a WAMP package on your computer and install WordPress there. Make all the changes you need to the templates before uploading your code to the server host. I'd recommend xampp.

This brings up another point though. Will it really be so terrible to upload to the server host and make your tweaks? If you currently have an existing Website that you are replacing, I can see why you'd want the transition to be as smooth as possible in that case. Even then, you could put your WordPress install in a subfolder and just change paths (directly and in config files, etc.) when it's time to go live.