How tough is PHP to learn?

WhiteEagle · November 16th, 2006

How tough is PHP to learn? I want to create an auction subsite with it, and any good scripts out there are way too expensive or require an expensive membership in order to download them.

pc_guy · November 16th, 2006

Do you know any other scripting languages AND/OR programming languages?

If not, and depending the specifications of the auction site, it will not be easy to complete. I would start with something simpler in PHP and see how it goes first.

You will also probably need database knowledge to get the site running.

Try http://w3schools.com/php/default.asp
it has a step by step overview of PHP functions.

If you have other programming knowledge, PHP shouldn't be hard to pick up, it shares the fundamental principles of any language - just a different syntax.

EDIT:
Just remembered, a database is essential to get a site up and running like this, storing user info, item descriptions, etc. You will need to also learn SQL query language to talk to the DB.
Another link => http://w3schools.com/sql/default.asp

Neo_Angelo · November 16th, 2006

PHP requires a LOT of scripting and calling functions and is used for powerful front and backend scripting, since with PHP you an embed HTML into it and vise versus it makes things a little easier. for a full interface you'll need to learn CSS to combine it with your PHP scripting as PHP alone cannot create page layouts and so on, it is a script mainly used for calling and "what happens if X is Y and then T happens otherwise S happens instead" kinda scripts.

i've been looking for ways to start learning it myself as then i could code for vBulletin and make some mods. so if you find anywahere, let me know and maybe we can learn together?

WhiteEagle · November 16th, 2006

W3Schools is always a great start to begin. And I do know Python and some Java, so I do know other programming languages.

Unfornately, Bravenet only supports PHP right now. I could learn any other language, but it would do squat until I got my own server.

pc_guy · November 16th, 2006

I worked a lot with .ASP, I find it easier then PHP, it's more forgiving in the way you write it.

Put I think finding hosting that supports ASP is out of the question because of the cost.

I think that if you know some programming, PHP will not be that hard to learn, it will be harder to plan and develop the actual auction site - making sure it runs efficiently and is secure from things such as injection attacks.

Zambini · November 16th, 2006

I have a book called Web Database Applications with PHP and mySQL

I would send it to you... but I paid 47 bucks for it.

It's published by o'Reilly Publishing. I'm sure u can find it @ ur local bookstore. But read some parts of it first. It explains how to create a complete website for a Widget-wine company, which is almost what you're lookin for. It dips into php + mysql user management

WhiteEagle · November 16th, 2006

I've been thinking about the features I'd like to see, and I'm still working on this. Consider it a work-in-progress, to borrow the old title.

yurimxpxman · November 16th, 2006

I just read the documentation on php.net.. wasn't too hard at all since I've been using other languages for several years. Start with JavaScript or GML first.

November 16th, 2006	#1
WhiteEagle Gamer at large! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 973	How tough is PHP to learn? How tough is PHP to learn? I want to create an auction subsite with it, and any good scripts out there are way too expensive or require an expensive membership in order to download them.

November 16th, 2006	#2
pc_guy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Inside an igloo, Canada Posts: 313	Do you know any other scripting languages AND/OR programming languages? If not, and depending the specifications of the auction site, it will not be easy to complete. I would start with something simpler in PHP and see how it goes first. You will also probably need database knowledge to get the site running. Try http://w3schools.com/php/default.asp it has a step by step overview of PHP functions. If you have other programming knowledge, PHP shouldn't be hard to pick up, it shares the fundamental principles of any language - just a different syntax. EDIT: Just remembered, a database is essential to get a site up and running like this, storing user info, item descriptions, etc. You will need to also learn SQL query language to talk to the DB. Another link => http://w3schools.com/sql/default.asp \|\| AMD Athlon64 3800+ Venice \| Asus A8N5X s939 \| OCZ Premier PC3200 Du-Ch 1GB \| Sapphire X1600Pro 512MB PCI-e \| 1xWD 80Gb & 1xWD 250Gb Sata(s) \| Antec SLK3800B Case \| Enermax NoiseTaker 485W \|\| Last edited by pc_guy; November 16th, 2006 at 11:05.

November 16th, 2006	#3
Neo_Angelo vB Support Guy Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 63	PHP requires a LOT of scripting and calling functions and is used for powerful front and backend scripting, since with PHP you an embed HTML into it and vise versus it makes things a little easier. for a full interface you'll need to learn CSS to combine it with your PHP scripting as PHP alone cannot create page layouts and so on, it is a script mainly used for calling and "what happens if X is Y and then T happens otherwise S happens instead" kinda scripts. i've been looking for ways to start learning it myself as then i could code for vBulletin and make some mods. so if you find anywahere, let me know and maybe we can learn together? Like the Support i Give or the skins i make? Feel free to donate to help fund further projects:

November 16th, 2006	#5
pc_guy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Inside an igloo, Canada Posts: 313	I worked a lot with .ASP, I find it easier then PHP, it's more forgiving in the way you write it. Put I think finding hosting that supports ASP is out of the question because of the cost. I think that if you know some programming, PHP will not be that hard to learn, it will be harder to plan and develop the actual auction site - making sure it runs efficiently and is secure from things such as injection attacks. \|\| AMD Athlon64 3800+ Venice \| Asus A8N5X s939 \| OCZ Premier PC3200 Du-Ch 1GB \| Sapphire X1600Pro 512MB PCI-e \| 1xWD 80Gb & 1xWD 250Gb Sata(s) \| Antec SLK3800B Case \| Enermax NoiseTaker 485W \|\|

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November 16th, 2006	#6
Zambini Lvl 1 College Student Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St. Mere du SantaCruz Posts: 1,936 Blog Entries: 1	I have a book called Web Database Applications with PHP and mySQL I would send it to you... but I paid 47 bucks for it. It's published by o'Reilly Publishing. I'm sure u can find it @ ur local bookstore. But read some parts of it first. It explains how to create a complete website for a Widget-wine company, which is almost what you're lookin for. It dips into php + mysql user management

November 16th, 2006	#8
yurimxpxman Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: /home/yurimxpxman Posts: 1,695	I just read the documentation on php.net.. wasn't too hard at all since I've been using other languages for several years. Start with JavaScript or GML first.