What you’ll need?

In the previous post I mentioned that php is run on a server so it only makes sense that you will need a server software to test your php scripts. Anyway I will do things the easy way.

First let me tell you about my system. I am running a windows pc. Windows XP SP2, Pentium4 2.8GHz and 1GB of RAM. It is not necessary to have this power, it just happens to be what I have.

Video No.3: What you’ll need part 1 (05:20)

According to this video you need several types of software.

• Webserver (I’ll use Apache)
• PHP Engine
• Text Editor (I’ll use Dreamweaver but wordpad would probably do )
• Web Browser (I recommend Firefox but anything is probably OK)
• Database Management System (DBMS) (I’ll use MySQL)

This is just a list, don’t worry. I will explain how to get everything and how to install it and the good news is that you can get all the software you need for free.

VTC Free Tutorials (Part 1 and 2)

There are about 16 free basic php videos on the VTC website and I have decided to go through them one by one and maybe same some people a bit of time.

Video No. 1: What is php? (01:02)

Answer: Its a programming language to add functions to web pages. (You have just saved 55 seconds)

Video No. 2: Data Flow (05:20)

The scripts for this programming language are not run on the users computer but on a server and the result is usually sent back in the form of html although it is certainly not restricted to html. It is called server side technology and as opposed to client side technology.

If you don’t understand this don’t worry about it, it will become clearer and if you are worried about not being able to test it without putting it on-line rest assured, you can set it up on your own pc, depending of course on your system. I will go through the whole process when I get there.

OK, I have given myself away, I do know a little about php but don’t worry it is very little and I don’t really remember it so it will be new to me again.

As easy as learning a language

While I am waiting for my textbook to arrive I have been looking around the web for other resources. I came across the VTC website and there are a few free tutorials. They are really just teasers to get you to buy the full course. At only $149 it may be a bargain if it lives up to its promise.

Anyway I checked out a couple of the videos and I’m pretty sure I heard the guy say that learning php is as easy as learning a language…… (insert stupefied smiley here) ….

…..

…..

….

Regardless, I will persevere. While I am waiting for my book I may check out some more free on-line resources, of which there are many and give you lowdown from the perspective of a php know-it-not-at-all.

php, where to start…

Well, I have pre-ordered (Visual QuickStart Guide) from Amazon.com and it should arrive in Japan, where I currently reside, between March 29, 2007 and April 9, 2007 according to Amazon.com. In the meantime I wil have a look at the previous edition when I have time and I will work on moving this blog, which is also php based over to my own site.

I chose this particular book because the 2nd edition got great reviews and it may be the perfect book for a php novice (read: ignoramus) like myself.

I know almost nothing…

…about php, that is. Of course on a grander scale you can be assured that I am about as ignorant as the next person too.

What is all this about? I am going to atempt to learn php and hopefully become a Zend Certified Engineer. Why? Well, I am interested in web design but I am also interested in web functionality. This blog will hopefully be useful for others embarking on a similar php journey.

Am I completely a dunce when it comes to php? The answer is yes, unfortunately but lets focus on what I do know.

I am pretty knowlegeable about html and css, which is basically web design. I know my way around Macromedia Dreamweaver which is quite possibly the best web authoring software on the market. I know that php is an open source programming language and that it provides many of the functions that are to be found on most websites these days, including my own.

Here are some examples of where I have used php.

• deadhippo.com forum
• deadhippo.com postcards
• The Shirt List
• Cafe Templates

So we have established that I know how to install php into my html website or have we. Thanks to the extremely detailed instructions and support pretty much any idiot with a pc and and some webspace can do it. In some cases you will need some money too but I’ll talk about that later.