Hello All

 

I am looking at expanding my knowledge.

 

I am looking at either learning PHP or Java

 

what do you think would be best to use.

Also if anyone has any useful tutorials or know of any books please let me know.

 

If i was to learn python for example would i have to have a strong knowledge of php

 

Thanks

Do you mean Javascript? I thought Java was a desktop programming language, but I could be wrong.

 

Regardless, I know the basics of Javascript, and I can almost string a function together with jQuery which is heaps of fun to look at.

 

But with PHP you can do some pretty awesome things, I've been playing around for the last year or so and created a few websites which could loosely be called 'web apps'.

 

I've got plenty of good ideas for PHP websites, but I don't have the skill to execute them.

 

Here's where I started..

 

http://www.tizag.com/phpT/

http://www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp

 

I honestly think the main problem I had when learning PHP was a reason.. I was creating an array of information, with no need. I found myself asking why I would need an array with my friends names in it? When I thought about what I could achieve, it all started to fit together.

 

Good luck.

Ok thank you, i know basic javascript not enough to put strings together same for jqueryy

 

i am now confused with what to go with.

Well, you'll want to know both eventually. I think they are used for different things.

 

PHP = server side scripting, to be used in conjunction with databases to create dynamic websites and applications

Javascript = client side scripting, to interact with the browser and the web page.

 

If it were me, I'd start with PHP. Making database driven websites is funnnnnnn!

 

I recently created a comic book database website, just to test my PHP knowledge, it's basically one PHP loop that runs through each row of a database and changes the information each time.

 

Once you get the hang of it, the websites pretty much code themselves

So php first then javascript is it,

 

Now to find tutorials i can work with.

 

I bought a book ages ago called Learning PHP 5 at http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596005603.do

 

Anyone used books before or know if this is ok

Edited September 24, 201213 yr by David Cook

When you hit 'for' loops, you're pretty much a made man .

Java (not javascript) is a desktop programming language but it can also be used for server side scripting (Java Server Pages), applets, and a lot more. Certain mobile devices utilize java extensively and as a result, a lot of mobile developers specialize in the language. PHP and Java have a lot of similarities when it comes to their language structure; I was able to pick up on php quickly because i had been coding in Java.

 

Having said all of that, it's really your choice as to which language you want to use. As you can see, there are a lot of people who support php (it's the language I currently use as well). PHP is a programming language but Java is a programming language if you know what I mean. In my opinion the one major advantage Java has is it's enormous libraries. In other words, if you're wondering if Java can accomplish something, then chances are that it can. PHP has great features and capabilities as well, but not as much as Java.

 

Personally, I wouldn't get into Java unless you plan on doing some serious development or unless you plan to develop for mobile devices.

Edited September 24, 201213 yr by Pete Prosper