Learning Php/mysql Fast
 

Database driven sites seem to be the way to go. I have sites of my own and clients' that would really benefit from this. I haven't had time to learn Php/MySql, have found no ready made solutions to buy and there are no experienced developers in my area - I've not been impressed with any sites I've seen for Irish web developers (and don't know where to start on the rest of the net).

Any recommendations on good tutorials?

Any recommendations on a source for developers?

Projects in the works: web directory; content management with multiple users; property; portal...

I have a ""how-to"" book, that is about a foot thick, but can't imagine that I'll be able to learn this without spending every day and night for the next three months working on it.

I'm not completely thick. I picked up HTML really quickly - does this seem hard because I've never done any programming before?

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Wedding | Out of Body Experience

Ultimately you just need to start coding before you'll really get confident. Try simple PHP exercises first and then build up to using files, MySQL and other data manipulation stuff.

I find the easiest way is to use the PHP manual as the language structure is really very simple and doesn't require any learning if you have prior programming experience.

http://www.php.net/manual/en/

That is really all you need. How you create non-trivial working applications is not really something you can learn from books or tutorials. It's something you need to learn on your own through experience and there is no shortcut way to learn how to write a portal or a CMS in PHP etc.

On the other hand, there are plenty of free, ready-made scripts in PHP available for those who want a solution without wasting time and you can find plenty of them here with online demos as well:

http://www.opensourcecms.com/

If you're looking to build dynamic websites of different kinds you might find one of those scripts to fit your needs rather than doing everything yourself.

Good luck! :)

This book: http://www.bookpool.com/sm/0596005431

Is pretty good or a good way to get started. I'd recommend to really dive in is to also download an existing application like harishankar pointed out from like opensourcecms.com and see how they do things, work, etc.

Then you can either build off a template/application you like or use it as an example to build your own.

Why are you so sure *you can* do this? [or that *anyone can* do this]

Not trying to burst your bubble but.. learning a programming language might not be as easy as learning something like HTML.

A piece of advice: if you're going to create real-world application on PHP/MySQL.. I think it'd be best to have a pretty good grasp of the two.. or your programs might suffer from a lot of bugs, and most likely security problems. If you want to do a job, why not do it right. Why do a job just so that you can say you've done it?

Well for the money ofcourse. If you can't make it good, make it look good. Developing for quality, is a waste of time. Besides its just another web app.

That's not a good way to make anything. Quality over looks is a better approach, especially when it involves software and code.

Microsoft for example, went for the "looks" over quality and look where it got them, a crappy OS open to security vulnerabilities. Sure they have tons of money but their also the laughing stock of the IT world, well, from a *nix admins perspective.

Think before you speak or you just make yourself look stupid! ;)

http://www.sqlcourse.com/
http://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp

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

Learn to do it the right way or don't bother.

...

Well apparently thinking does'nt guarantee anything.

What Is Sarcasm?
 

slantoflight's comment was, I think, a bit "tongue in cheek". As per usual, his sarcasm points out a nasty, obvious, and all too common truism. Being first to market is a quality all its own that subjugates meticulous engineering in favor of expediency. I'm quite sure he doesn't really believe in it.

I only made such comments cause the OP seems to be asking a real question, looking for serious answers. When someone comes along and jokingly adds their two cents and might not be serious, what's the point then? Our rules state, post constructively or don't post at all. I didn't necessarily find some of the responses constructive and they make some look stupid in their response.

There are times to be sarcastic, most of those threads are obvious, other times people come here for real help, either help them or move along to the next post is my thought.

Now lets move on!

I was being serious in my previous post.

I picked up "PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites" by Larry Ullman and it worked really well. It doesn't go on and on with really complicated examples but it does get you started really quickly to the point where you don't need a book or instructions anymore and only need reference sites. It's not very expensive, easy to read and set up so you can skip past things if you don't want to go through all the steps. I've lent my copy to a few people now and they have all come back saying it gave them enough php to get them up and running.

A friend here has suggested that rather than learn php, it might be more useful to learn Ruby instead. I have never looked at Ruby but understand it is not very difficult either.

10-minutes is all you need, according to this book. LOL

http://www.amazon.com/Sams-Teach-You...e=UTF8&s=books

http://www.amazon.com/Sams-Teach-You...e=UTF8&s=books