[Newbie Guide] For the benefit of new members

========================================================= This message is for the benefit of new subscribers and those new to PHP. Please feel free to add more points and send to the list. ========================================================== 1. If you have any queries/problems about PHP try http://www.php.net/manual/en first. You can download a copy and use it offline also. Please also try http://www.php.net/manual/faq.php to get answers to frequently answered questions about PHP (added by Christophe Chisogne). 2. Try http://www.google.com next. Searching for "php YOUR QUERY" may fetch you relevant results within the first 10 results, if you are lucky. 3. There is a searchable archive of the mailing list discussion at http://phparch.com/mailinglists. Many of the common topics are discussed repeatedly, and you may get answer to your query from the earlier discussions. For example: One of the repeatedly discussed question in the list is "Best PHP editor". Everyone has his/her favourite editor. You can get all the opinions by going through the list archives. If you want a chosen list try this link : http://phpeditors.linuxbackup.co.uk/ (contributed by Christophe Chisogne). 4. Just put the following code into a file with a .php extension and access it through your webserver: <?php phpinfo(); ?> This will display tons of info if php is enabled, or, it will ask you to download a file if php is NOT enabled. (contributed by Teren) 5. If you are stuck with a script and do not understand what is wrong, instead of posting the whole script, try doing some research yourself. One useful trick is to print the variable/sql query using print or echo command and check whether you get what you expected. After diagnosing the problem, send the details of your efforts (following steps 1, 2 & 3) and ask for help. 6. PHP is a server side scripting language. Whatever processing PHP does takes place BEFORE the output reaches the client. Therefore, it is not possible to access the users' computer related information (OS, screen size etc) using PHP. You need to go for JavaScript and ask the question in a JavaScript list. (You can access information SENT by the user's browser while requesting pages from your server. You can get the details about browser, OS etc as reported by this request. - contributed by Wouter van Vliet) 7. Provide a clear descriptive subject line. Avoid general subjects like "Help!!", "A Question" etc. Especially avoid blank subjects. 8. When you want to start a new topic, open a new mail composer and enter the mailing list address php-general@lists.php.net instead of replying to an existing thread and replacing the subject and body with your message. 9. It's always a good idea to post back to the list once you've solved your problem. People usually add [SOLVED] to the subject line of their email when posting solutions. By posting your solution you're helping the next person with the same question. [contribued by Chris W Parker] 10. Ask smart questions http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html [contributed by Jay Blanchard) Hope you have a good time programming with PHP. Best regards, -- Integrated Management Tools for leather industry ---------------------------------- http://www.leatherlink.net Ma Siva Kumar, BSG LeatherLink (P) Ltd, Chennai - 600106