KyZu Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 So I just started learning PHP a few days ago and I think I'm understanding it, I know what things do and why they're suppose to do it, except most of the time I feel like I'm just looking and typing code...the author is simply saying "When you do this, that happens, and when you change that, this happens" -- It's nice to understand the theory behind it, but I'd like to PRACTICE, I'd like to make some mistakes and learn from them. I know a lot of people will say "Just try to make something!" but I feel overwhelmed with information, I don't know where to 'start' in order to make something simple. So does anyone know of a good book/website/etc that gives you exercises that slowly increase in difficulty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kansasakki Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Hi KyZU, A book I am using is PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites by Larry Ullman. I started with the php stuff about 2 months ago. I followed tutorials as well, but there it seemed like there was always something lacking. There are some great tutorials out there, but as I read somewhere else in the forum, they can be kind of a gap filler more than educational. With a written book you should be getting a more polished product that can help guide you through some of the instruction. One of my first self made projects was rather simple overall. I just took my hobby of archery and implemented some basic calculations to figure drawlength and minimum arrow weight for a certain poundage of bows. While I knew how to figure this, writing the code to take values from input and then process this was a great learning tool. Besides, what is better than combining to interests for a common theme. Regards, Kansas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridgey28 Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I am pretty new myself to PHP and I decide to use a project to build up a knowledge of PHP. I chose a simple event lister from http://www.mevin.com/ which I am in the process of adding more features. The event lister started out basically just adding,copying events and adding a new user. I have added an options page, optimised the database, included a rss feed, more secure login and remember me feature. I have plenty of other ideas in the pipeline, such as social networking integration. I try and learn as I go along. I have used various websites for help and advice including this forum. http://www.developphp.com/list_php.php http://php.net/quickref.php http://phpsec.org/projects/guide/ http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/php/30-php-best-practices-for-beginners/ http://pelfusion.com/tools/how-to-debug-php-code-and-useful-php-debugging-tools/ http://www.gracesmith.co.uk/43-must-read-php-articles-and-resources/ I hope this is of use Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridaflatlander Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 A book I am using is PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites by Larry Ullman. I too give a hoot and a holler for Ullman. The two column thing is a very mild complaint but its easy to get use to it. I've bought two, one is all raged up and in about 4 pieces even with the use of duct tape to help hold it together. I ran into a deal on amazon so I bought another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 This is honestly a great place to start and to keep up with practice. Trying to figure out other people's problems and seeing other's solutions really helped me when I first started learning (hell, it still does help). Anyways, quite a few books take one or two projects and just slowly build it throughout the different chapters. Try going to a local bookstore / library and see which you might like the most Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjoe Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I too started with the Ullman book, and these very forums also helped a great deal. Not just posting but simply browsing and reading the solved threads could help. However I am going to have to agree with the majority in that the best way to learn is to create something. WAIT, wait, don't run away yet, here me out... You don't simply want to learn how to write code. Writing code to learn how to develop applications is like practicing penmanship without looking at the paper. How will you know when you get it right? I suggest not only learning how to write code, but how to develop applications. Take it a step at a time, don't get overwhelmed by the end result and how far you are from it. Start with any idea, it doesn't have to be original or even good, just pick anything. ( Write a web app that will allow you to list the contents of a directory and upload new files to it. ) ( Perhaps with the ability to create new folders ) ( You could add the ability to view certain type of files and download other types based on file extension. ), etc... Design your app first, by flow chart or drawing the screens, what ever you want. Only after you have a plan should you start coding. Whether this becomes eyeOS or Webalizer, it has to start at step one. Summary: I recommend to learn how to develop applications, not write code. so here's an assignment if you want one: * A web page that will list the contents of a folder. * when a folder is clicked is should show the contents of that folder * provide the ability to add new folders at the current path Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderwell Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 This is honestly a great place to start and to keep up with practice. Trying to figure out other people's problems and seeing other's solutions really helped me when I first started learning (hell, it still does help). this is how i exercise my php too. solving problems i might not ever come across in my sites that other peeps might do in theirs. i almost always learn as much myself as the person i helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fugix Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Www.w3schools.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderwell Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Www.w3schools.com just NO. they have a lot of incorrect information, but that said it has good explanations, just a pity its not always accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fugix Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 they get most of their info from php.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trq Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 http://w3fools.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salathe Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 they get most of their info from php.net Some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridaflatlander Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Even though I still use ullman as a reference and to look up how he may have done something, the only way to learn is to do it. It's like my ole teacher used to say about applied problems 30 years ago, "son you wont learn how to do them until you do them". The b**tch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fugix Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 http://w3fools.com/ wow, learned something new there...thanks thorpe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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