So, I said I'd update a website. I guess I have intermediate HTML and CSS skills, and very basic Javascript.

 

Most of it has already been done mostly by someone else, and what needs doing now is basically adding some content, beautifying it a bit and adding some bits to the forms (javascript).

 

But now I've looked at it I realise it's been built using PHP. Eek! My knowledge of PHP is very basic indeed!

 

But PHP can't be that hard - can it?

I mean all the hard work's been done for me, right? The site is set up already, all the pages are there and the forms are mostly done. It's just a case of finding the right files and editing the good old HTML & CSS, isn't it?

 

The thing thats's got me really stumped though is I have no idea how to set up a test environment. If it was a site using static pages I'd make a copy to play around with but that's not going to work here is it?

 

I don't know what the story is with the guy who did most of the site, I'll find out on Monday when I explain it's a bit harder than I thought! I think he's a work experience student and I'm guessing he just ran out of time to finish it while he was there. Ideally he could support me on this but I get the impression he's not really available and i'm pretty much on my own here.

 

Am I bonkers to consider this? I mean - PHP - how hard can it be?!

 

Any advice on where to start / what questions to ask would be much appreciated!

Hey Becca

 

It all depends on how much time you have to put into this. PHP isn't something you sit down and learn and are then done with learning. I've been using PHP for over 7 years now and I still learn new things all the time. Getting to grips with the basics is something you can definitely achieve, and if you've used another language before like javascript then you've got a foot in the door at least, and should speed up your initial learning

 

As to what you need to do to begin with, personally I'd recommend either the tizag or w3schools php tutorials if you're happy reading, or phpvideotutorials if you want to watch videos of it. From those you should learn some basics, that will help you get around the current code at least, and then you can post questions about specific parts if you get stuck on the forums

 

Jay

But PHP can't be that hard - can it?

 

thats the spirit of a programmer

 

PHP is not hard but it is at the same time, it is relatively easy to make an simple application... making a secure application on the other hand requires in-depth knowledge of all the pit falls... but thats no reason to start learning!

 

to set up a local machine to test i recommend http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

 

and if you need a hand, get stuck (which you will lots, but thats part of the fun!) give us lot a shout.. and you can always PM me and i'll give you my skype details

 

Take care, good luck! and fingers crossed one day you will be on these forums giving advice on PHP Development

7 years?! I've only got a couple of weeks

 

Seriously, thanks for replies Jay and SniderDK and the offer of help, I really appreciate it.

I'll have a look at the links.

well, i think a short answer is "you can learn php in two weeks but you need about 10 years to learn programming"

Sage advice cepa, I'm sure

I have been learning php for like 1 month now with a course.

I treid some several books but they were a big failure even a lot of downloaded e-books that claimed to be good.

 

Now with this course I got a book with it named the complete manual of php 5/mysql in mine own langauge so it's easier for me to read and learn also the book is about 1000 pages long.

 

Since the course I learn everything much faster as for example I can make mine own calculator and know now how to adjust html forms but I can't filter it yet.

 

There is a lot to be learned.

Edited July 9, 201115 yr by kensha

7 years?! I've only got a couple of weeks

 

Seriously, thanks for replies Jay and SniderDK and the offer of help, I really appreciate it.

I'll have a look at the links.

 

 

Php is great fun! I have been learning Php for one year now and I highly recommend it, the book that got me to love Php was " Head First Php". The book costs a bit of money but its worth it. if you are in a hurry to get up and running this page and all you need is contact forms then id suggest you look up some ready script, there are plenty out there and you can customize easily, I use Heads First Code but if you look on Google there is plenty of free samples for a form. After this site is finished then you can relax and calmly learn Php from scratch

.

Sometimes the best way to learn is to get stuck into a project like this, as long as it's not too complex. Is it built in a cms? Might make things a bit easier/harder

The best way to learn is on the job. PHP is a pretty simple language, there isn't really that much to it, its learning how to use the basic blocks to do what you need that takes years...And learning all the inbuilt functions.

 

The good news is that you don't usually need to re-invent the wheel because somebody else has likely written a class that does what you need

I've been using PHP for about a year. When you use a framework or CMS to do build software, you tend to get more familiar with the functions in the framework or CMS and lose track of the built-ins provided by PHP. That's happened to me after having switched to using frameworks and CMSes. I started off with template development on Joomla and Drupal but now it's WordPress themes and plugins all the way with some CodeIgniter work. I guess current trends seem to dictate what we do rather than our desires to work on something.

7 years?! I've only got a couple of weeks

 

Seriously, thanks for replies Jay and SniderDK and the offer of help, I really appreciate it.

I'll have a look at the links.

 

ive been coding php for about 6years, i wouldnt class my coding as excellent and i am still learning new things all the time