Learning PHP...?

[DesignIt]

Does anybody have any recommendations for Intro type books for learning PHP? I mean, something that really explains the concepts of what php is for designer types like myself. =)

I mean, I look at php and it looks like a foreign language to me. hee hee Ok, sorry for the sad attempt at humor. =)

I was leaning toward the "dummies guide..." for php at the moment. Any opinions on this book?

[nightelf]

I read "PHP and MySQL Development" from Luke Welling and Laura Thomson.

Also check tutorials and sites like W3Schools.com (http://www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp).

I would recommend you to activate PHP and Apache in your Mac. To activate PHP you need to modify 1-2 files only. For Apache turn on Personal Web Sharing. Try the codes you read, and experiment with them.

[Stampyhead]

I recommend PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Websites (http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Dynamic-Web-Sites/dp/0321336577/sr=8-5/qid=1171126896/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5/002-4255618-0307239?ie=UTF8&s=books). This book took me from the stage you are in now (thinking PHP looks like a foreign language) to creating PHP sites and selling them to clients. Highly recommended. Use the internet as a resource as well, after you get some of the basics down.

[DesignIt]

Thanks guys!

Here are the two I have decided to get:

PHP Solutions: Dynamic Web Design Made Easy (http://www.nerdbooks.com/item.php?id=1590597311)

Visual QuickPro Guide: PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites, 2nd Edition (http://www.nerdbooks.com/item.php?id=0321336577)

[DesignIt]

I read "PHP and MySQL Development" from Luke Welling and Laura Thomson.

Also check tutorials and sites like W3Schools.com (http://www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp).

I would recommend you to activate PHP and Apache in your Mac. To activate PHP you need to modify 1-2 files only. For Apache turn on Personal Web Sharing. Try the codes you read, and experiment with them.

Just curious, what files do modify?

Thanks! :D

[pulsewidth947]

Instead of modifying files, download MAMP (http://www.mamp.info/en/home.php) and drag it to your applications folder. Now open it up and it'll start an apache server with PHP4/5 support and a MySQL db already set up. By far the easiest method I've come across to date.

[nightelf]

You uncomment 2 lines in /etc/httpd/httpd.config to enable PHP, but probably is easier and safer to install MAMP.

[Stampyhead]

Thanks guys!

Here are the two I have decided to get:

PHP Solutions: Dynamic Web Design Made Easy (http://www.nerdbooks.com/item.php?id=1590597311)

Visual QuickPro Guide: PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites, 2nd Edition (http://www.nerdbooks.com/item.php?id=0321336577)

Good choices. Good luck with everything.

[purplelizzard]

If you need any help, feel free to contact me and I'll do my best, I'm not great at PHP, but I can try to help.