I'm interested in learning to work with PHP. I've thought about it, and I think it would make more sense to learn a framework like CodeIgniter or Zend and pick up PHP in the process. Has anyone else tried this approach?

I'd say it would be best to learn PHP without the use of a framework.
Once you know the core PHP functions, you are versatile.

If you know only 1 framework, then you are locked down to that framework.
Once you'll have learned how to use it, you won't (or couldn't) take the time to re-learn another approach.
But often, when you know the core of the language, the grasping of the framework is easier, because you already know how it would work.

So, for me, I'd go for the core PHP first, and then consider some framework.
And in this case, my heart would balance between Cake and zend, with a preference for zend if you want to go "professional".
Cake looks cool, but zend have the weight of, well, Zend under it...

Originally Posted by tripy

I'd say it would be best to learn PHP without the use of a framework.
Once you know the core PHP functions, you are versatile.

I definitely agree with this logic. I would advise you just learn PHP by installing a server on your localhost (I recommend Wamp Server 2.0 for Windows). Play around with the language for a bit and then learn a framework if you are still inclined.

I agree with the opinions above.
I learnt PHP on my own. I bought a book, downloaded a few PHP scripts and tried to play with them to achieve what I wanted.

I think learn PHP should start from simple, that is what I did too.

Haha, I'm still a little torn because I want to get right into creating stuff... But thanks for all the input, everyone.

i agree with tripy. You start with php and later with any framework. Not inverse. If you starts with any framework, you dont know programming in php, you know to programming in that framework.

Anyone have a recommendation for a good web tutorial that they found helpful? Or a good, cheap book?

ETA: I'm working through the w3school's PHP tutorial, and it seems all right although the pace is rather glacial.

Sorry Double Post, please delete.

I would have to advise against the W3 tutorials, i think they teach the language with some bad practices.

PHP.net is a must they make the language so they can teach how to use it alow better, also some really good tutorials arround.

theres a book i find good:

How to do everything with: PHP & MySQL
- ive had my local library copy for god knows how many months lol. it goes back and i take it back out of the system about three seconds later lol.

Hmm... a timely post. I have been thinking of teaching my girlfriend PHP but I think learning PHP alone without any framework is better. Using the framework would be easier but will cause problems because of being tied to the framework.