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How long did it take you with PHP?

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 12:48 pm
by JPlush76
Just wondering how long it took most of you to feel really comfortable to do anything you needed to do in php?

How did you all learn?

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 1:05 pm
by RandomEngy
Read tutorials, write your own code and test it, search for a solution on the internet if you have a problem. Also try to pinpoint where in your script lies the problem by echoing values out, checking if variables are set, or commenting out certain lines. Get an editing program that can detect parsing errors, and use it when you suspect one of those errors.

For example, when I wanted to learn how to do file uploads in PHP, I searched for a function "upload" at http://www.php.net , tested it out with help from user-submitted examples, and gradually worked up from a rudamentary upload to one that would check image dimensions and file size, as well as renaming it and moving to the appropriate directory.

Also, having a test.php is invaluable. Whenever you're unsure if a certain thing works in PHP, just open up test.php, clear out whatever was in there before, and write a simple bit of code to verify if it does or does not work. Like right now I'm about to test for sure if echo "spam",$ham; works the same way as echo "spam".$ham; . I'm pretty sure it does, but I avoid having problems in scripts by using several elements that I'm not sure about, because if something goes wrong I won't know which element to look at.

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 1:09 pm
by JPlush76
I've been coding php for almost a year now and I feel like I can do pretty much anything someone would need, based on what I have in my books and tutorials on the web, plus the help of all you fine folks out there.

I definately wouldn't say I'm advanced but hopefully this next year I'll be getting there.

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 1:40 pm
by llimllib
I had to do it at work, and I spent about 2 weeks getting familiar with it. I found it very very easy, but it should be noted that I already knew several other languages. Also, that was to get to the point that I could hack together everything i needed, very different from writing good code, which I'm just starting to do consistently (about 2 months later).
Like Java, a beautiful part of PHP is the very well-defined API - If it's in the language, it's available around the world at php.net in a second or two. Also, the community around PHP is very large and helpful (that's how I found this board) and tutorials are available everywhere.

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 1:42 pm
by JPlush76
yea writing good, cleaner, faster code is what i'm focusing on now.

although arrays are still something I need to get a better grip on :(

I don't write any arrays and I think I'm missing out, the only time I use them is for database calls.

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 2:17 pm
by hob_goblin
arrays are one of the best things about php

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 2:25 pm
by JPlush76
I know, thats what everyone says.. but I still just dont know what to do with em :o

do you have a practical exercise you could point me to?

:)

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 5:08 pm
by protokol
Sure. Think of an application you want to write. Then write it. It's the only way to learn.

2 days and still trying !!!!!!!!!!

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 5:35 pm
by designguru
two days ago i downloaded d/w MX. Decided to try some php stuff. So I downloaded PHP, MySQL, MyODBC and PWS (my poor hard drive)..
.So far I've not gotten very far..
..in fact i can't even get the info.php going due to a security alert (which i've posted in this forum...)

:oops:

i've read tutorials, been into php.net so many times it ain't funny, and read heaps of these forums as well....it may just be a blonde thing..

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2002 5:37 pm
by JPlush76
well you should get a couple books, that would give you a real foundation where tutorials might be scattered all over

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2002 9:16 am
by CodeEye
it sounds link php is one of your first programming lanuages it took me about 5 hours (not all at once) to get used to php but it was not my first programing language and why do you need books i have only ever bought one computer book and i don't read it i just use the net i am dislecsic so i find english stuff hard but give me a programing language and i am away people learn at different rates and ways

you dont have to know every command just the way the lanuguage works once you have the "feel" of it you can almost guess what it can and cant do

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2002 10:42 am
by JPlush76
well code eye, if its her first language a beginning php book will teach her how to actually program and why and what things do.

for example I programmed rpg400 so I already knew the concept of loops, but a new programmer needs to learn what a loop even is and why you need it, etc...

a book usually breaks it down by chapter in a more straightforward learning curve

my $.02

Hey

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2002 4:05 am
by Takuma
Hey I've learned PHP in a month. 2 months later I can do just about everything! It's not hard, I've learned all my stuff from these Forums and Books, oh God I love Books! :D

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2002 9:52 pm
by Exodus00
I've been programming PHP for about... 3 weeks now. I started big because I knew I needed a mySQL database for a registration form, for a LAN party of mine, then I needed to have a php page that viewed the contents of that mySQL table... I needed a bit of help to get the viewer to work but the thing that entered it I got running fast. I bought a book though and read through it a bit. Right now I've been concentrating on writing my own programs... simple stuff that I can actually use.(newsletter programs, and database editing tools, as well as a database dependent news system /w a web admin entry form) But its helping me get a foothold in this language.

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2002 2:25 am
by daemorhedron
Coding with php about 6 months I guess, and been getting pretty serious about it. Couldn't say what 'level' I am at, only that there is always more to learn, which is both exciting and frustrating. =)