How did you learn PHP & MySQL?

dezinerite · 11-29-2007, 11:15 AM

I've decided to try learning it. :S So far I only know bits of HTML, Javascript and CSS. I did about an hour of PHP the other day and it was already quite frustrating. Nevertheless I've made up my mind, I'm going to learn this thing!

How did you learn PHP & MySQL, and how long did it take?

Daniel · 11-29-2007, 11:35 AM

W3Schools and then straight to www.PHP.net

Although there's various places to start, you really need to use PHP.net when you get more advanced, best resource there is.

Dan

Peter · 11-29-2007, 11:38 AM

I personally started from books. Try looking in your local bookshop and flick through some of the books they have to see if any appeal to you.

The style the book is written in can affect greatly how easily you pick up the concepts.

Once you know the basics you can then start looking at the manual at php.net (and being able to properly understand everything).

-NC- · 11-29-2007, 11:43 AM

i'd already been programming for about 8 years before i picked up php.

initially i learned by modifying open source apps to my needs and then started writing my own on top of cakephp, which i can't praise enough.

I used php.net every step of the way and continue to use it to this day ( I don't quite have the entire reference memorized yet, maybe in about 5 years )

Mark · 11-29-2007, 12:02 PM

I learned most of what I know on PHP two ways ... Dissecting other peoples Scripts , And when I got lost - I would bug SecondVersion and Scott half into insanity

MySql - Well , I can install, Mod, and backup existing stuff - But "Knowing" it is another thing entirely

PHP.net is a must still

Joe · 11-29-2007, 01:08 PM

Mark. So that's why they both stepped down from being mods...

Anyway, I first started off creating and modifying various aspects of phpBB, and invision forums.
I then, like most others, modified other people's scripts, and dissected them to learn how.

I've been coding various PHP things for 2 years now, and I still need to use PHP.net for reference.
Even if you had memorised it, it's good to check.

I would, however, recommend W3Schools.

Joe

Barrucadu · 11-29-2007, 02:50 PM

I began by searching for a tutorial of whatever I wanted to learn on google, then when I found one, looking up every function I didn't understand. In a few weeks of this, I had a pretty good PHP knowledge.

nasaboy007 · 11-29-2007, 05:27 PM

as mentioned, www.w3schools.com is probably your best bet. they start of from the BEGINNING and explain the concepts from scratch as well as what you need to know. they even have sample scripts and stuff so once you get the hang of the php syntax (how to define variables, conditional statements, etc) i advise you start downloading some of the simple scripts that you can find on sites such as www.hotscripts.com and just going through them, seeing how they work. of course, www.php.net is a godsend for looking up new functions or even refreshing old ones that you may not have used in a while. as for mysql, i've been doing php for over 3 years now and i'm still not "fluent" when it comes to mysql - i've always found that it turns out to be extremely picky. the code that i use sometimes just errors and doesnt work depending on what host i'm using, the whole ' vs " vs `, its all very confusing. i suggest getting a solid basis in php itself before looking at databases. maybe work with flat text files first to get the hang of data storage. also, mysql tables are similar to spreadsheets (like excel). if you're good at excel, etc, you should have no trouble understanding the conceptual parts at least of mysql.

psalzmann · 11-29-2007, 08:03 PM

Visit hotscripts.com find open source scripts that have active member base and that is popular, and review it. Play with a section of the script and review the code as you go. It's not rocket science but as everything in life, a small learning curve that you'll begin to understand only over time (experience).

Eric · 11-29-2007, 08:56 PM

It's already been mentioned a few times in this thread, but it's the same way I learned as well. Take existing scripts and play with them, research the code, 'dissect' it. I probably did that for a month or so, then read through php.net several times.

As for MySQL, http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/index.html

Originally Posted by Mark

I learned most of what I know on PHP two ways ... Dissecting other peoples Scripts , And when I got lost - I would bug SecondVersion and Scott half into insanity

MySql - Well , I can install, Mod, and backup existing stuff - But "Knowing" it is another thing entirely

PHP.net is a must still

'bug'? That's an understatement. BUG the HELL out of us, and into FULL insanity, would be more accurate.

????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/programming/401237-resolved-how-did-you-learn-php.html

xrvel · 11-29-2007, 09:10 PM

I download some simple pHP samples from planetsourcecode.com, later on phpclasses.org. Both of them are cool websites. And php.net.

AzN · 11-29-2007, 11:11 PM

Tizag.com, PHP.net is both good resources. But I personally love to bug SV for help.

Shane · 11-30-2007, 12:28 AM

for basic - intermedite, w3schools.com is the place to go

aboujouj83 · 11-30-2007, 12:46 AM

I recommend "PHP And MYSQL for dynamic websites". Great book.
This is the link from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Dyna...rdr_bb_product

It also has a website, where the author has all the scripts. Great way to learn.
I remember learning PHP and MySQL in less than 2 weeks with this book.

Aboujouj

Palyriot · 11-30-2007, 12:14 PM

I began learning PHP at php.net and that's the only source I've ever used. They have a complete manual that is perfect. It's not humorous like most books, but it's free and gets the job done. MySQL I like to look at http://www.tizag.com/mysqlTutorial/. I often refer back to it if I forget.

Some good cheat sheets for what you're learning...

http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/html-cheat-sheet.pdf
http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/mysql_cheat_sheet.pdf
http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/css_cheat_sheet.pdf
http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/php_cheat_sheet.pdf

Some extra cheat sheets...
http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/regu...heat_sheet.pdf
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=401237
http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/mod_...heat_sheet.pdf

Hope I helped.

Wildhoney · 12-04-2007, 06:23 AM

I just learnt it from hanging about with fellow programmers on TalkPHP. Then I bought TalkPHP

!

11-29-2007, 11:15 AM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
dezinerite www.bpdir.com Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,051 Follow @bpdir	How did you learn PHP & MySQL? I've decided to try learning it. :S So far I only know bits of HTML, Javascript and CSS. I did about an hour of PHP the other day and it was already quite frustrating. Nevertheless I've made up my mind, I'm going to learn this thing! How did you learn PHP & MySQL, and how long did it take? __________________ Premium DoFollow Directory \| Seychelles Triathlon Federation \| Free Directory Since 2007!

11-29-2007, 11:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Daniel Danltn.com Join Date: May 2007 Location: Danltn.com / Nottingham, UK Posts: 1,201	W3Schools and then straight to www.PHP.net Although there's various places to start, you really need to use PHP.net when you get more advanced, best resource there is. Dan __________________ :lala: *VERY CHEAP ADVANCED* BULK DOMAIN-STATISTICS LOOKUP** :kickass: Danltn's Blog - Daniel Neville's Site Spoof your links! Submit your blog NOW! Putting bloggers on the map!

11-29-2007, 11:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Peter NamePros Expert Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,069	I personally started from books. Try looking in your local bookshop and flick through some of the books they have to see if any appeal to you. The style the book is written in can affect greatly how easily you pick up the concepts. Once you know the basics you can then start looking at the manual at php.net (and being able to properly understand everything). __________________ Manage your portfolio using my new Domain Portfolio Management script. Securing Your Domain Name From Theft

11-29-2007, 11:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
-NC- Traveller Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Yet another city Posts: 1,419	i'd already been programming for about 8 years before i picked up php. initially i learned by modifying open source apps to my needs and then started writing my own on top of cakephp, which i can't praise enough. I used php.net every step of the way and continue to use it to this day ( I don't quite have the entire reference memorized yet, maybe in about 5 years ) __________________ NameCooler.com

11-29-2007, 12:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mark Hi :) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NC Posts: 9,566	I learned most of what I know on PHP two ways ... Dissecting other peoples Scripts , And when I got lost - I would bug SecondVersion and Scott half into insanity MySql - Well , I can install, Mod, and backup existing stuff - But "Knowing" it is another thing entirely PHP.net is a must still __________________ When the man at the door yelled "Alcohol , Tobacco , and Firearms" .... I just assumed it was a delivery !

11-29-2007, 01:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Joe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kent ~ U.K. Posts: 3,209	Mark. So that's why they both stepped down from being mods... Anyway, I first started off creating and modifying various aspects of phpBB, and invision forums. I then, like most others, modified other people's scripts, and dissected them to learn how. I've been coding various PHP things for 2 years now, and I still need to use PHP.net for reference. Even if you had memorised it, it's good to check. I would, however, recommend W3Schools. Joe __________________ Myself and "JackHeskett" are no longer associated with FusedHosting.net. Please pipe all PMs to admin [at] fusedhosting.net.

11-29-2007, 02:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Barrucadu Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Yorkshire, England Posts: 2,689 Follow @barrucadu	I began by searching for a tutorial of whatever I wanted to learn on google, then when I found one, looking up every function I didn't understand. In a few weeks of this, I had a pretty good PHP knowledge. __________________ Website \| Blog Arch Hurd developer; GNU Webmaster; FSF member #8385

11-29-2007, 05:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
nasaboy007 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,219	as mentioned, www.w3schools.com is probably your best bet. they start of from the BEGINNING and explain the concepts from scratch as well as what you need to know. they even have sample scripts and stuff so once you get the hang of the php syntax (how to define variables, conditional statements, etc) i advise you start downloading some of the simple scripts that you can find on sites such as www.hotscripts.com and just going through them, seeing how they work. of course, www.php.net is a godsend for looking up new functions or even refreshing old ones that you may not have used in a while. as for mysql, i've been doing php for over 3 years now and i'm still not "fluent" when it comes to mysql - i've always found that it turns out to be extremely picky. the code that i use sometimes just errors and doesnt work depending on what host i'm using, the whole ' vs " vs `, its all very confusing. i suggest getting a solid basis in php itself before looking at databases. maybe work with flat text files first to get the hang of data storage. also, mysql tables are similar to spreadsheets (like excel). if you're good at excel, etc, you should have no trouble understanding the conceptual parts at least of mysql. __________________ Hacksar.com - Your source for random computer tips and tricks! MySiteMemberships.com - Keep track of your site registration information! Like my post? Rep is appreciated!

11-29-2007, 08:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
psalzmann NamePros Regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 528	Visit hotscripts.com find open source scripts that have active member base and that is popular, and review it. Play with a section of the script and review the code as you go. It's not rocket science but as everything in life, a small learning curve that you'll begin to understand only over time (experience).

11-29-2007, 09:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
xrvel i love automation Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: xrvel.com Posts: 1,620 Follow @xrvel	I download some simple pHP samples from planetsourcecode.com, later on phpclasses.org. Both of them are cool websites. And php.net. __________________ Xrvel \| Free Wordpress Plugins \| Desain \| Bodoh \| WP License

11-29-2007, 11:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
AzN is on hiatus Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,453	Tizag.com, PHP.net is both good resources. But I personally love to bug SV for help. __________________ Currently on hiatus. Back whenever.

11-30-2007, 12:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
Shane NamePros Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: West Sussex - England Posts: 869	for basic - intermedite, w3schools.com is the place to go __________________ Get your handbook to success today! We show you how a recession benefits you! Like interviews? We have them by the van full! Be kind to Mellow Masher!!

11-30-2007, 12:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
aboujouj83 NamePros Regular Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 502	I recommend "PHP And MYSQL for dynamic websites". Great book. This is the link from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Dyna...rdr_bb_product It also has a website, where the author has all the scripts. Great way to learn. I remember learning PHP and MySQL in less than 2 weeks with this book. Aboujouj __________________ Quality NHL Hockey Forum

11-30-2007, 12:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
Palyriot NamePros Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 596	I began learning PHP at php.net and that's the only source I've ever used. They have a complete manual that is perfect. It's not humorous like most books, but it's free and gets the job done. MySQL I like to look at http://www.tizag.com/mysqlTutorial/. I often refer back to it if I forget. Some good cheat sheets for what you're learning... http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/html-cheat-sheet.pdf http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/mysql_cheat_sheet.pdf http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/css_cheat_sheet.pdf http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/php_cheat_sheet.pdf Some extra cheat sheets... http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/regu...heat_sheet.pdf ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=401237 http://www.ilovejackdaniels.com/mod_...heat_sheet.pdf Hope I helped.

12-04-2007, 06:23 AM	#16 (permalink)
Wildhoney NamePros Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 78	I just learnt it from hanging about with fellow programmers on TalkPHP. Then I bought TalkPHP !

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