Re: how to learn php

I started out by getting a reference manual, one with every function describing what the function does. Just like the php.net online function reference but one that can be read lying on the couch. Now when I need some code to do something I'll remember there's a function for it (maybe) and I go to php.net and search for it. I search for PHP examples online for more advanced stuff than I can do and study it. This gives me some knowledge of proper approach to coding; when to use what. Finally if the code looks funky I send a snip to this list and someone will suggest a better function or approach. Oh yea, this is great, I use Dreamweaver's (grimace) PHP coding abilities to get projects started. Dreamweaver can do the preliminary basic database connection stuff: INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE pages. Then I hack the Dreamweaver code. Doing a MySQL tutorial is a good idea too. > hello > > i have been trying to learn php. > > what is the best approach to learning php for someone who has no > programming experience? > > i am very familiar with html, xhtml, and css. i'm not an idiot when it > comes to using computers. > i have bought several books and have subscribed to a couple of the php > mailing lists, but i feel that i could be doing more to learn php. > > what approach (and steps) did you take in learning this really cool > scripting language? should i look into taking classes or stick with an > autodidact approach? > > any advice and/or opinions would be greatly appreciated. > > thanks.