Best way to learn PHP/Mysql

[spacetrain]

Hey,

I want to know the easiest way to learn PHP/Mysql as i know there are tutorials i could put together to get what i want for my site but i want to understand the code so i know everything im coding so i can change and adapt it to my needs. Ive looked at a few ebooks on amazon but everyone seems to say there great or really crap which makes me unsure. So does anyone know any online sites which provide a step by step guide from total beginners to advanced programming tutorials?

 

[lpxxfaintxx]

1) Get a book. I recomment PHP and MySQL - For Dynamic Websites 2nd Edition
2) After you get the basics, just start looking at tutorials, taking notes
3) Build a portfolio, slowly, adding every php script you've made.
4) You'll be surprised how much you learned.

 

[Kadenz]

My favorite book is Sams Teach yourself PHP, MySQL and Apache All In One, only book I have and very useful.

 

[Dan]

www.php.net

If their description doesn't help you, read the comments for each function. People post the functions they make and are normally EXACTLY what I want.

 

[spacetrain]

Thanks, Ill check out some books now :D

I think ive got like 4 months to become a master of php :D

EDIT: Ive ordered PHP and MYSQL Web Development 3rd Edition

Its got alot of 5 star ratings over at amazon and it looks like the one for me :D

 

[NonProphet]

http://www.php-mysql-tutorial.com/

thats a great site to learn PHP/MySQL, starts you off with the basic and walks you through several nice projects.

 

[lee101]

I have learnt everything I know from here:
http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/php (php)
and here:
http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/phpmysql

and once i knew the basics I used the php.net site to look up functions, and that also has a lot of code snippets which you can learn from

 

[LeetPCUser]

I learned from books too. The best are the ones that come with the cd with all the files so you can go threw it. There are books out there that teach both together in one.

 

[aaronfalloon]

I'm currently learning from a book, PHP and MySQL Web Development. My advice is to take your time, I’ve tried to rush it and I’ve got frustrated and fed up.

 

[daworm]

After you've studied the basics the fastest way to learn is to look at other people's source code. Look at Joomla , Drupal, Codeigniter etc... source codes and you will learn a lot easier and you got to know the how the pros does it.

PS
Though sugarCRM is very good at the outside , I really dont like the way they organized their codes. Tooo messyyy......

 

[firecubes]

2 words for dummies. They are great books.

 

[yeppers]

Hey spacetrain,

:imho: the best way to learn is by example.

About a years ago somebody made a very simply php page that simply extracted some data from a mysql database. I just tweaked around with it for ages, and then you get the hang of it and learn as you go.

php and mysql are very easy languages to learn, you'll see once you get the basics . Especially when php.net is at your side

 

[dongan]

My best practise is to work out some examples and will start to learn things then and there. It will be suitable for PHP expecailly.

 

[chronic]

Honestly, I wouldn't learn PHP from a book, because the book includes code and practices that were used when the book was published, and half the time, there have been updates or new uses of code that are taught differently in a book. Also, a book just teaches you conventional methods of how to do stuff, however not always bad if you are just a beginner.

I recommend look through some tutorials on tutorial sites, download PHP scripts and have a look at their way of making the script functional and finally, looking at PHP.net for any help you may need with a specific function.

Good luck with your PHP coding.

 

[dkr]

The best way to learn PHP is to get a PHP guru to tutor you, just like what I am doing right now :p. I recommend John (jescripts[at]gmail[dot]com), as he is doing a very good job teaching me . Good luck.