Hi, I've been designing for a while now and could really do with learning some server-side scripting. After all, the Net is undoubtedly going from static to dynamic at great speed and I should really try and keep up with the trends if I have any hope of being serious about design.

So far I have learnt the core of everything I know from w3schools, however I thought I'd ask first if you know of any other places that are better (or even just different) that I could have a glance at first?

Thanks

I found books were a great place to start (And a great reference), once you have grasped the basics take a look at php.net (they have loads of documentation for functions).

I should really be put on their payroll the amount I advertise this site but I have always found that w3schools.com is a great way to start learning any language and then from there just google anything that you need to find out more on. These forums are great too for learning the more complex parts of coding that you may not get in a tutorial.

Generally, w3schools is good for starters but if you're serious on learning PHP, you should consider zend.com PHP training.

I find forums to be helpful for asking specific questions, but I find I grow as a developer more by helping others than by begging for answers.

I definitely agree with the notion that it is a good idea to start a subject with a book about it. I own one book about PHP, and though I still read sections from it occasionally, when I need to look things up, I go to http://php.net.

I want to start to learn PHP, can someone advise me where to start first, how to start first... I have lost a lot of time when I started to design my webpage..

Thanks

At your keyboard, If you don't know javascript learn it first, php is VERY similar in syntax!

Are you serious??? Did you just read the last 5 posts?

I think there are several good ways to learn php...

I would start with W3Schools (php.net is a great reference.. I use it all the time, but not really a learning tool unless you already have a grasp of the basics) and get a good book... sit down and read a chapter or two before you buy it... it will be good to have a hard reference to look at when you forget that all important function or piece of code.

Then, join a php specific forum so you have a better chance at getting more advanced answers (this forum is very helpful too, but I guarantee there are more php gurus hanging out on a php specific forum).

There is a lot that you wont learn until you actually need it... so once you have a basic grasp on php syntax, native functions, and phps abilities, spend as much time as you can creating applications that will require you to learn something new... It will take some time to learn, esp if you've never done any programming, but I think php is one of the easiest web languages to learn... unless you include RoR (Ruby on Rails), which is really a framework. There are frameworks for php, but I wouldn't suggest using a framework until you have a good grasp on the language itself.

The biggest part of learning is asking questions... there is never a stupid question (just stupid people! lol jk). I would recommend some books and websites, but I haven't used any for a few years, so I imagine they are all outdated (at least the books)

Sam

Originally Posted by Sleeping Troll

At your keyboard, If you don't know javascript learn it first, php is VERY similar in syntax!

I would recommend learning both php and javascript, but I don't think one is easier to learn than the other... they share some similarities in syntax (C style) but really IMO, learning one wont really give you a better understanding of the other... maybe a better understanding of programming in general. I would just pick one to learn first and get a basic understanding of that one before starting to learn the other.

Best site for tutorials...Pixel2life.com....everything you need

Thanks to everyone for the advice, I think going by what you all have said I'll probably start with a book and then go through the w3schools tutorials. Then, as a few of you have said, I'll use php.net as a reference

Thanks again all!

PHP and JavaScript are both C-family languages, and have similar structures like the way the if {} statements are formed, but that is really about all they have in common. JavaScript is object-oriented, but has no classes, and prototypal inheritance instead of classical inheritance. Everything in JavaScript is an object, while in PHP there is a clear separation between procedural and object-oriented syntax.

The scope of variables and functions in JavaScript work completely differently than in PHP. JavaScript has closures, PHP does not.

I recommend a separate study of these two languages. When I was starting out, I studied PHP, but not JavaScript. My reasoning was very clear: it is possible to make sites without any JavaScript whatsoever, but to form the habit of making strictly static pages without server dynamics seemed like a bad idea. If you study them together you are likely to become confused, especially if you have little scripting experience.

IMO, PHP is easier to grasp the basics of than JS, though an advanced study of both languages is an ongoing experience. Even the masters continue to study throughout their careers.

The manual is the best place to learn... it has all the examples you can ever need.

Best Place ? It's to learn online, see online tutorials step by step, go to:
www.w3schools.com
www.tizag.com
and many many others in google search "php tutorial" , "learn php" ...
Or maybe the new blog myphpsource.blogspot.com