Hi all .
iam freelancer graphic designer and i would like to dive into the PHP ..
how can i get started ? being professional in programming is by practice i guess ,
where is the best places for resources and practice .. something that will be actually useful .. i already have lynd php learning .. but its not enough i guess ..
looking forward to your responses and advices ,
thnx

First of all, im daison 21y/o from Philippines.

Before diving into PHP, you must learn the basics, because you can't create a content without HTML and CSS

You can learn HTML here.

After learning HTML, combine it with CSS, CSS is like in reality a "tools/paint" that you need to hold to design a certain walls or buildings, which means HTML is the structure, while CSS is the designer of your web.

For Javascript:
After learning CSS, you must learn basic Javascript, after learning javascript, try out jQuery and learn how to use those tools.

After doing the above:
You may now go to the PHP section of w3schools.com, PHP is a scripting language that developed for the web applications, PERL programming language is part of PHP I call it like a "distro", moreover PHP is a "server side" process script, which means you need to use some PHP compiler, I suggest you to use "XAMPP" for development tools only.

For advance PHP, go to:
"phpacademy.org/"


Advice:
do not go over my suggestions first!, basic are the most important and it is required to learn the basic before going to the advance method.

Originally Posted by daison3

First of all, im daison 21y/o from Philippines.

Before diving into PHP, you must learn the basics, because you can't create a content without HTML and CSS

You can learn HTML here.

After learning HTML, combine it with CSS, CSS is like in reality a "tools/paint" that you need to hold to design a certain walls or buildings, which means HTML is the structure, while CSS is the designer of your web.

For Javascript:
After learning CSS, you must learn basic Javascript, after learning javascript, try out jQuery and learn how to use those tools.

After doing the above:
You may now go to the PHP section of w3schools.com, PHP is a scripting language that developed for the web applications, PERL programming language is part of PHP I call it like a "distro", moreover PHP is a "server side" process script, which means you need to use some PHP compiler, I suggest you to use "XAMPP" for development tools only.

For advance PHP, go to:
"phpacademy.org/"


Advice:
do not go over my suggestions first!, basic are the most important and it is required to learn the basic before going to the advance method.

I am also new and thank you for the advice. I didn't know it would take so much effort and tools. I will look into your links.

Hi, daison3 was right on learning HTML and CSS first, converting your PSD to HTML is the first thing that you have to learn.

I started on my current company with just a little knowledge on Php and I needed to learn it on my own. I would advise that you go through the topics on php.net on their getting started page. www[dot]php[dot]net/manual/en/getting-started.php

And then for a better understanding, you can read my favorite book "PHP and MySQL Web Development 4th Edition.pdf" by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson.
That is an awesome book. You can always get a free download of this from rapidshare.

Goodluck.

febrarian

Originally Posted by febrarian

Hi, daison3 was right on learning HTML and CSS first, converting your PSD to HTML is the first thing that you have to learn.

I started on my current company with just a little knowledge on Php and I needed to learn it on my own. I would advise that you go through the topics on php.net on their getting started page. www[dot]php[dot]net/manual/en/getting-started.php

And then for a better understanding, you can read my favorite book "PHP and MySQL Web Development 4th Edition.pdf" by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson.
That is an awesome book. You can always get a free download of this from rapidshare.

Goodluck.

febrarian

try working with graphic designers who try to convert psd to html, when they do not know HTML or CSS

eeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

talk about pulling your hair out

I am always forced to re-slice it or make funky div layers to get it to look right

That's why I always say that designers should stick to designing and then a developer makes it work.

CAUTION --- GET PHP4 v PHP5 correct

You need to check with your web server to know what version of PHP they use.

PHP4 is quite different to PHP5, and vice verser.

Normally with computer languages, as they update they will only 'add more to their list of keywords', and always support full backward compatability.

HOWEVER, PHP5 is not like that.

With other languages, a PHP4 program should work under all versions of PHP after that, including PHP5, PHP6.......PHP100 and so on. But, I have found my PHP4 programs WILL NOT work in PHP5.

As my server is PHP4, and I hope it always stays PHP4, I am skilled only in PHP4. I would not have a clue on how to do a PHP3 program nor a PHP5 one either.

When ever a new version of some software doesn't fully support its older versions it is usually for good reasons. The newer versions bring improvements, often in i.e. security and speed, as is the case of PHP.

I think most people would agree that you'd be better of upgrading and getting used to the newer version. Although, you may want to try it out on a local server first, to upgrade your code and make it work with the newer version before you apply the changes to your live server.