I want to learn php, and as I am a complete idiot, I really need some help with getting started.. I have read some tutorials and such, but I just don't seem to be getting anywhere. I have a host that supports php, and I want to use it on my website. I have read that I will have to install php, apache, mySQL and all that on my computer. Is it really necessary to do all that when I am not hosting it myself? Also, I don't know at all what kind of editor to use for making my webpages in php:(.. Help anyone??

This post has been edited by microscopic^earthling: Jun 16 2005, 02:24 PM

OK. I'm sure your not a complete idiot. Tutorials will help you a great deal and they are probably the most helpful tool when learning something. I would suggest downloading the PHP Manual from PHP Freaks. There are some great beginner and "all you need to know" tutorials in the Tutorials section so you should look there. We all suggest installing PHP, Mysql and Apache on your system so you can test and still code PHP when you are not online also you dont have to keep uploading the script everytime you update it. It is just extremly convenient having it all installed on your system. You can use any editor while making PHP pages the only difference is you have to include all things PHP within:



in a .php page. If a page has PHP in it it must be saved with the .php extention like file.php. There are some editors out there for scripting PHP but i dont know of any at the moment. I am sure others will know they have been mentioned here before.

Good luck.

This post has been edited by vizskywalker: Jun 16 2005, 04:38 PM

Thanks

i, myself, do not know PHP. however, for a great site to learn it, check out:

www.scriptlibrary.com

that site has many scripts, programs, and tutorials for PHP, HTML, Java, Javascript, perl, and so much more.

hope that helps!

zack

How do i install all that on my PC??? Can someone provide the links to the downloads...???

It's not absolutely necessary to install Apache and PHP on your computer, but if you don't, you can't test your websites before uploading them to your webspace.

The easiest way to install the whole thing in one run is XAMPP from Apachefriends. You have one .exe-file and simply install it, that's all.

Taken from their website:


You can find it here:
http://www.apachefriends.org/

GreetingZ

This post has been edited by jipman: Jun 17 2005, 08:12 AM

Thanks everyone. Can I use Microsoft Front Page for creating php files?

php files are just plain text files . You can use any thing which can write plain text files for that matter (front page is ok , but i would recomend jedit a free editor written in Java)

If you really want to learn PHP you should invest in some good book. I would recomend Wrox publisher Beginning PHP4 or 5.Then you can always go on to the next level. The time you would spend on learning from unfinsied tutorials and the problems which they would create is not worth saving money for a book

Learning any new programming language is better done by a book than online tutorials.

nakulgupta: i have installed EasyPHP, it have PHP, Mysql and Apache Server. It works fantastically for me. Link:Easy PHP

Read the FAQs and the documentation provided it may help you alot in configuring it as i did.

Books have never worked for me!

I use EasyPHP too. I think it's really quite good to have PHP enabled server right at your computer. That way, things happen a lot quicker, don't have to
wait long at all for uploading scripts before seeing if they worked. One script here, one script there it all adds up.. can be frustrating. I learn better when I can immediately try out what I've just learned.

EasyPHP's latest version 1.8 allow you to select between php5 and php4. I have given much thought about switching to XAMPP from apachefriends.org but have not come ot it yet, I was wondering if it's possible to have EasyPHP and XAMPP running side by side on the same computer? Anyone has have EasyPHP and XAMPP on the same computer before, care to share your experience?

Regarding getting good at PHP, for me I liked this beginners tutorial from Zend's site http://www.zend.com/php/beginners/index.php It's fun to read and good for giving you a general idea of what to expect. Just read it quickly one time through.