I've been making web pages using HTML and CSS for years and have only really used PHP for forms. The other day I found the PHP include feature and have been kicking myself for not knowing about it sooner.

PHP Code:

<?php include("menu.php"); ?>

Can you recommend some other bits of PHP that will make my life easier and improve my life?

Thanks

All of it

Start at the beginning and learn how the procedural part of PHP works. This part is very similar to other C-family languages, as it uses the same or similar structures (if, else, elseif, while, do... while, for, foreach). Also, learn how operators work so that you can do comparative statements and assign values to variables. Then study variables and arrays. After you are fairly comfortable with procedures, operators, and arrays, study functions.

Once you can do procedures, operators, arrays, and functions, you will still only be at a beginner's level, but you will have a more powerful toolset that you can start working with.

I repeat my question here, because I believe it is in keeping with what the OP is asking:

What about a link to basic tutorials for complete noobs to php like me? Something decent, that actually teaches you to DO something other than make the computer say, "Hello, world!" fifty different ways (in other words, not W3C schools' sorry excuse for a tutorial)? Is it too much to ask of those who write tutorials, "OK, that's nice, but how do you actually USE it?"

tim

Tim

Someone here will always help you. The php call in the first post is the best one to learn first IMO. It will allow you to have one header, footer and navigation system.

If you run ads on your site you can have one ads file.

Changing one file changes all the pages.

I am a hands on learner and the books and guides are okay. Download a relatively simple, free script and take it apart to learn how the different things are done. This is best done on your own computer as it makes it easier to see the effects immediately and poses no problem to shared hosting account.

Happy Holidays.

Tim is right though, I can't recall a tutorial for PHP that isn't so simplistic it is pretty useless, while at the same time doesn't launch into "geek speak" instantly.

The one at Tizag is Ok but it diverts off into installing MySql before it tells you how to initialise a variable.

It's been a long time since I actually took a tutorial, but I do recall that the one at w3schools is a heap of poop. I learned PHP from 1. a book, and 2. working with other developers. There's some things that are better learned in printed material, and I think PHP is one of them, but there is no better learning than actual experience.

The other huge part of developing as a PHP programmer is the repetitive process of looking up function arguments and reading the sample code on the official documentation at http://php.net. Since no one knows everything, knowing how to access and browse the documentation is an important skill. I may be relatively junior compared to some of the programmers here (my database design skills pretty much suck), but I have grown a lot just from the exploratory process of programming itself.

Nettuts just published 25 resources to get you started with php from scratch yesterday.

It links to 25 resources as you might guess, including the Tizag site Chris mentioned above.

Thanks to all of you for the links and advice. It might be a good idea to add them to the sticky on tutorials.

@Joe3000 -- I will say that the W3 Schools php quick reference is a good resource; I've got it bookmarked, because it looks like once I've gotten my feet wet in learning this it would be good to refer back to. It's just not now for me at least because I'm still green with php. Kind of like the quick refs I have with CSS and Javascript -- I'll look at those here and there and say, "Oh yeah! I forgot about THAT!"

tim

I started at www.w3schools.com learning html, then javascript, then PHP.
It's a really good resource for beginners. As you get more advanced, the php website will begin to be of more use.
Also, I believe Tizag has a PHP tutorial, and it's google rankings are growing, so it must be pretty good.
About.com probably has something about it also.

If you are going to use more PHP, you might want to consider MySQL also, because I've heard it's useful for storing data in a relational manner.
I personally prefer using flatfiles, but that's more difficult for relational data storage. flatfiles are useful for storing information that you use frequently such as settings, or if you don't have access to a MySql server.

Don't take my preference for flatfiles to heart though. I just haven't got access to a MySql server, and can't be bothered to learn the SQL language.

Anyway enough rambling... I hope some of it helped!!

go to tutorial site w3wschool is one of the best as far i think . it is very nice site to lean PHP. try that . i have also learn that form there...

What I could recommand you, because it helped my a lot in the past, is to go through this:
http://www.php.net/manual/en/
The PHP manual is thorough and really well explained, in my opinion.
Going from the start, they will explain you what are data types, functions, variables, scope, branchements and such.

Jumping over the configuration of PHP, and if you just have HTML knowledge, you should go directly to http://www.php.net/manual/en/langref.php

I've made a few tutorials on form validation, if you're yet to get into that.

http://buildinternet.com/2008/12/how...-using-arrays/

and

http://buildinternet.com/2008/12/how...ng-php-part-1/