Hey guys. I've just started learning the basics of PHP, but I can't see how what I have learnt can do much for me. I mean, I know you need to go through the basics first, but I don't really need to know how to create a form in which I can type my name and it appears, who wants to do that?

 

How do I go about putting what I know on PHP to work? Should I just get straight into having a go at an application using references online?

Hey guys. I've just started learning the basics of PHP, but I can't see how what I have learnt can do much for me. I mean, I know you need to go through the basics first, but I don't really need to know how to create a form in which I can type my name and it appears, who wants to do that?

 

How do I go about putting what I know on PHP to work? Should I just get straight into having a go at an application using references online?

 

1. Look at other peoples source code (i found this one of the best ways to learn)

2. Read up about PHP security, here.

3. Attempt to make a small application (such as a simple e-mail form, or a simple database driven cms)

4. Keep reading.

Rja, you would be surprised how far passing variables between pages (typing your name in, and it appears on the next page) can take you.

 

There are some excellent tutorials on PHP at net.tutsplus.com.

 

Like KieranA had mentioned, I would try to make some basic applications.

I find the PHP manual at http://www.php.net/ invaluable for undersanding the various functions etc.

but I don't really need to know how to create a form in which I can type my name and it appears, who wants to do that?

know what you mean, some examples can seem pretty useless. You just need to imagine what else can be achieved with what you've learnt and not just whats been shown.

 

What you've learnt above is to take a value, store it in a variable and then use it on a separate page. That stored value can be used for all kinds of things like manipulating a page to executing a specific function to sending of an email with those values.

 

A simple example of using the above would be having someone fill in a feedback form. When they click submit it sends off an email and then displays a page saying thanks for the feedback Jimbo (or whatever there name is).

Another really good php security tutorial @ http://php.robm.me.uk/

 

Only problem with that tutorial is that it doesn't mention various escape characters such as the null byte ( % 0 0 -spaces or /0) in the C family of languages.

From the guide:

 

 

 

 

 

:)

 

 

Still, following all those pointers, is a pretty good starting point. You can also improve security by learning to use a something like mysqli or PDO for databsase interaction.

 

Yeah the tutorial is good for someone starting out, it'll teach them plenty to start with.

The first PHP project I did (to familiarise myself with the language) was to design a Facebook web application replica, without the fancy AJAX stuff. It took several months - but you could register, post on walls, add friends, comment, upload photos, upload profile pics, tag, PM, etc, etc. It would have a homepage which ranked the popularity of events, such as comments on a photo etc. It was fun to make, and clearly I learned a LOT

 

You could start off your PHP world by designing your own social network application. It doesn't have to be big, but it's fun and could even lead somewhere with your friends/school/college/uni/colleagues. Try to use your own code, after reading about how to keep it tidy and secure

 

Plus, I'd be highly interested in watching and following it's development, so let me know if you take this idea up

The first PHP project I did (to familiarise myself with the language) was to design a Facebook web application replica, without the fancy AJAX stuff. It took several months - but you could register, post on walls, add friends, comment, upload photos, upload profile pics, tag, PM, etc, etc. It would have a homepage which ranked the popularity of events, such as comments on a photo etc. It was fun to make, and clearly I learned a LOT

 

You could start off your PHP world by designing your own social network application. It doesn't have to be big, but it's fun and could even lead somewhere with your friends/school/college/uni/colleagues. Try to use your own code, after reading about how to keep it tidy and secure

 

Plus, I'd be highly interested in watching and following it's development, so let me know if you take this idea up

I'd be happy to make a very simple 5 parter (something like that) video tutorial.