Learning PHP

[dauvm]

This is so general, I apologize! I really want to learn PHP. I'm just wondering, how did other people start out on it? Who used books and which one... or is there a good website? I know the basics of Java, C++, and Perl so whenever I read beginners tutorials I get bored and never continue them... What did people here do as a first project that kinda got them motivated to learn the finer points of PHP? I think that's what I need the most...
Does anyone know of a page where people are doing really crazy things with PHP? I guess I just need to get motivated... anything at all would help!

BTW, I've already got a host w/ PHP support and all that.

-Doug

[mouse]

I don't *know* php backwards but I got going with phpdev (3 at the time) and articles from devshed.com (http://www.devshed.com).

[Ökii]

So, you already have a good understanding of coding principles and really are after learning the syntaxes of php.
I'd suggest thinking of a small project and using that to help you learn. Recently, jkd (a mod here) leapt into trying out php and used a blog project to help him understand both php and mysql.

As his chosen project incorporates html display, form processing, passing variables, validation and database update/editing, it will have given him a good grounding in many important areas of the languages. Plus, at the end of it he has a nice blog/developer journal that he wrote himself.

You might like to sling the php online manual at http://www.php.net into your favourites, maybe read some tuts at devshed or sitepoint and just have a go yourself.

Remember too that we are always here to try to help, so if you get a particularly annoying parse error, just post a question.

[dauvm]

mouse, you may not *know* php backwards, but I bet you can figure it out, that's an easy one ;) jk

Thanks for your replies. I'm just finishing up a week of exams here, and then it's vacation for me! I'll be thinking of a good project to dive into over break and in the meantime I'll bookmark those two pages.

Thanks again.

-Doug

[Kiwi]

I've just downloaded the html manual from here (http://weblabor.hu/php-doc-chm/). It's a highly recommended resource to have locally.

[c q]

"I THINK" when it comes to learning, there's nothing like a good book...I looked for electronic tutorials but dint find any when I just started out. I had to make do with those sams teach yourself series. they were funny but they did get me started. and then I could manage (most things) on my own, using the manual.
good luck to you
;)

[dauvm]

Thanks for all your replies :)

I have decided I'm just going to brush up on my javascript quickly and then I might take c q's advice and grab a cheep book... then use the webpages to look up the more advanced stuff.

thanks again!
-Doug

[Mhtml]

I know PHP backwards, it's PHP.

[dauvm]

eeexactly :thumbsup:

-Doug

[Steven_Smith]

I used the 'WROX' Professional PHP Programming Book. It really helped me.

steve

[[m]]

I found the manual a great help with PHP. I was thinking of going out and getting a book but I'm to lazy :D

after I got past the first few chapters I kinda got lost..but I will press on!!!

thats the way is with me. I just started a project and am slowly figureing it out I would recomend tutorials that explain certain parts of what u need to do.

[c q]

yes thats the best way to learn, pick up a neat project to do and keep referring the manual whenever you need to know what function to use. soon you will be comfortable with the syntax.

[c q]

http://www.php.net/books.php
never noticed this one :D

[Spookster]

I find that looking at examples and smaller more specific tutorials helps with the learning process:

http://www.zend.com/zend/tut/