Learning PHP

[Comeran]

I already checked out the "PHP Tutorials" thread, but it wasn't very robust.

I am hoping Deb or Polar have some more input on this.

The time has come and I now need to learn PHP. I was wondering what resources you would suggest to the newcomer?

I have already purchased "PHP and MySQL"
http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Dynamic-Web-Sites/dp/0321336577/&s=books&qid=1187913713&sr=8-1

What online resources or other books do you suggest?

I learn best from trial and error myself, so I normally start out with a book and some tutorials but then just start attempting different things which build my foundation for the language. I think most learn this way, but am always open to some new ways.

Thanks in advance for any help.

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[Dave Hawley]

I can spell it, if that's any help :D

Forums focusing on PHP may help?

[WebSavvy]

There's a book called PHP Essentials by Julie C. Meloni, that's very good. It was my first PHP book.

There was enough there to get me started, and the rest I've learned on my own -- some by trial and error, and some by visiting PHP forums.

I haven't had to visit a PHP coding forum in several years because I've pretty much learned everything I needed to.

The basic things you'll need to learn are conditional statements, loops, regex, and functions. Learn those, and the rest will fall into place.

I understand that there's a SAMs Teach Yourself series book for learning PHP, so that might be an option too?

Oh, and the PHP Cookbook is good too! Get it if you can!

[Comeran]

Thanks Dave and Deb.

I am liking this first book I mentioned, it isn't a bad starter. I will definitely grab that php cookbook too.

I learn best by trying out a book and some tutorials, then testing code out until I figure it out. Most of the other programmers that I know are the same way. This just all came at a strange time since the PHP guy that my small circle uses is not going to be available for at least 6 months I figured now was as good of a time as any. Plus from what I hear the transition from PERL to PHP is pretty simple.

I think the best place for me to start would be a simple test site, does anyone have a good hosting company to go with for small php/linux sites? I think Jaguar may be a good testing system.

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[Connie]

If your referring to JaguarPC I have sites hosted on 3 different servers with them. I've been with them for years.

I highly recommend JaguarPC. Tell them Connie sent you. They know who I am. :D

[Comeran]

Thanks Connie, I will do that.

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