PHP - I know not, but wish to learn.

[bacterozoid]

Well, It's been about four years of web building now and I figure its coming time to learn PHP. I read a very basic description of it, but anything further kind of left me in the dust. Anyone have any recommendations as to languages learned first that might make it easier, techniques for learning, if I should even bother? If it makes a difference, I know HTML, CSS, and have an understanding of javascript and can write small codes.

Ah, last, but not least, any web sites that would be good in teaching me? I took a look at php.net but just got confused.

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it.

[firepages]

Hi, where to start ...

The only language it is useful to have as a background to PHP is C++ (in which case you could pick it up in a day or so) but it does not matter if you know any C++. You may notice the similarity between some javascript constructs and PHP as well but you can not compare the 2, if(){}else{} etc will be familiar.

What first attracted me to PHP was how easy it is to get started, basic functions like include() which do exactly that, include a file into your pages can save you hours and hours of coding, form processing is simple as is database connection which is where you will probably be heading if you want to use the full potential of server-side scripting.

I am assuming you appreciate that any server-side scripting language requires a web-server to actually do anything with your PHP (or PERL/ASP/whatever) scripts, PHP is normally associated with Apache but can run on IIS,iplanet,even AOLserver(horror).

So you need a host that is PHP enabled and preferably with MySQL or some other database as well (Most beginner tutorials for PHP/database utilise MySQL so its a good DB to learn with (though it lacks in some areas))

there are a thousand+ resources for learning PHP on the net and a fair few books though I would leave the books alone for now.

great places to start are http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/programming/php/ and http://www.devshed.com , sitepoint.com & phpbuilder.com have some more advanced stuff.

I would recommend getting PHP up and running on your local comp for testing etc, I would obviously recommend phpdev (http://www.firepages.com.au/dev4.htm) but phptriad (http://www.phpgeek.com) , nusphere (http://www.nusphere.com) & easyphp (www.easyphp.org) offer similar fine packages for apache/windows - all of which will set up your computer to test server-side PHP scripts.

Why would you do that ? well simply because it can get very frustrating writing a script, uploading it to your host only to find a simple parse error etc.

anyway, to answer your 'should I bother' question well I think yes is the answer unless you intend to specialise in design/HTML only, PHP has gotten very common these days and you will bump into it a fair bit, of course if you end up working for or on contract to a MS house then they will want you to understand ASP/.NET ! , but learning any serverside language will give you an insight into how serversides work in general and will be invaluable when you learn another (this does not count for ColdFusion BTW ;))

[bacterozoid]

Well, thank you. You did a great job explaining all that. I'll be sure to check those links and get PHP stuff working on my computer. Your mention of C++ and a day or two to learn caught my interest too. This is gettin to be fun! Thanks!