[I am just starting PHP. Is DreamWeaver MX a good tool?]

If you're just starting out with PHP/MySQL then Dreamweaver is a good place to start. You will need to download a few extra server behaviours to make it more 'PHP friendly'.

 

Then, once you get a handle on things you will find that you will need to hand-code quite a bit to make things perfect.

 

Dreamweaver is not the ultimate PHP development tool but I don't think any ONE tool is. It got me started and I still use it for 70-80% of the coding I need. But my requirements are pretty basic.

[using Checkboxes with a database?]

I use a TINYINT(1) for checkboxes and the value of the checkbox is 1 when selected.

[PHP Basics]

If you've already set up your MySQL server or have one on a web hosting service, just download the official MySQL manual from www.mysql.com and start reading.

 

It will take you an hour or so to get the hang of it.

 

Start with some basic tables and queries, then work your way up.

 

Using this forum helps too....

 

PHP isn't that different from other scripting languages. You've just got to persevere and it gets easier and easier as you develop quicker techniques to get the job done.

 

I always go to www.php.net and check out the examples of code when I'm not sure how to use a particular function.

 

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth,

 

Good luck.