Learning PHP

**mechaflash** · 05/04/2011, 20:29

Where do I start and how do I develop?

Do you have some websites you used as a beginners guide and tutorial and recommendations for reference sites?

**ramjet** · 05/05/2011, 01:24

http://www.w3schools.com/php/default.asp is always a good beginning and http://php.net is the technical manual.

**Ruud** · 05/05/2011, 08:15

Any existing programming knowledge?

PHP is basically like any language, you just need to know some specifics and function names. They are all at php.net.

Without programming knowledge you'd need to know about variables, operators, control structures and few more. I'd say <?php echo "hello world"; ?> and go from there. If you'd like to develop for Contao you can also try out the extension tutorial (some cd collection, not sure where the original is, but it is also here: http://blog.qzminski.com/2010/09/create ... -part-one/). First make sure you understand some basics about programming an php like Ramjet says. If you make sure you understand EACH line, and also why that line is in that place you'd be learning about php as well.

**mechaflash** · 05/05/2011, 19:48

I understand programming basics, I've done some work with batch files and VBscript for file management.

I suppose what I'm asking for is places that have some good beginner examples and real-world demonstration with hands-on coding lessons. I learn easily with performing the action and not necessarily reading about it; I have to see how it works then I can break it down. The downfall of being too much of a visual person :cry: . I wish I could learn and retain information just by reading, but sadly I do not.

Fun thing about it though is that I can break things and not feel bad :lol: . Of course, I have to ensure I take extra measures when I go to break something that I have a backup of it and some notes on what I did.

I suppose I'm like Thomas Edison as I believe in "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." XD