I want to start coding websites, PHP, CSS, HTML etc.

[TheMadDutchDude]

Hey guys,

I know it is a long shot but I want to start coding websites.

I have a basic HTML knowledge and CSS knowledge so I want to start on PHP and when I get to it, JavaScript. The only issue is, I don't know any programs that could aid me with the learning process.

I want to get a GUI based program as well as a text based program. If there is one which has both available in one program (most do, right?) then that would be brilliant.

Could you guys please recommend me some software? I'll test it out for the first trial period and then make up my mind after that.

Thanks in advanced!

[Toonshorty]

I highly recommend the book:

"PHP for the world wide web" by Larry Ullman.

Taught me PHP reasonably well.

I mean, I have to use it since for MySQL stuff since I don't know that off my head, but I understand the logic quite well.

http://www.whsmith.co.uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=9780582851153

[Rhys]

download xampp
it uses your localhost on ur computer and also has mysq databases.

For PHP
www.w3schools.co.uk

yeah i know everyone knows it but its always a good place.

Learn the basics, start writing different variations of the same code running different things first to learn the structure then move onto functions and then finally classes.

when u get functions and classes down, javascript shall be a piece of cake since all it is, is pretty much functions and classes, as JS is an OOP languange

[DoubleTop]

good call for xampp to keep things local.

PHP -think of something you would like to code, look on the many sites like codeproject that will hopefully give you a few ways of doing what you want. Then without too much copy and paste, write one yourself. That's a nice way of leanring inbuilt functions and syntax.

php.net is an invaluable resource once you move on, the number of things I see in code that are faster and are standard functions is amazing. Don't be scared of regular expressions when you first see them though.

DT.

[iGoD ReLeNtLeS]

i was just pondering on the idea earlier, i've been having a look around for the last couple of days for a tutorial site for PHP but tbh, didnt find anything of use.

great minds think alike :lol:

side track, if your looking for some quick snippets, www.hawkee.com is a good site for alot of different languages.

[Rhys]

ohh yes.

and get
Notepad++
http://notepad-plus-plus.org/

amazing coding tool with highlighted syntax and macro's etc. perfect for saving else statements in for quick call up.

ohh and xampp:
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html
windows:
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html
linux:
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-linux.html

[TheMadDutchDude]

Thanks guys! I'll see what I can do.

I've installed VMWare Server so that I can "host" a server but we shall see how that goes... :)

Mucho's gracias! :)

[Jackster]

In case your home host has problems, Just ask me if you want some space on my server for a wile.

[TheMadDutchDude]

Thanks for the offer Jack but I think I'll be alright. I'll just set up a site using my laptop as the server.

[Naphta]

www.tizag.com

Excellent resource.

[cinek]

http://net.tutsplus.com/

some stuff is premium but it's worth it, but they have plenty of free articles on all languages :)

[scottmac]

Agree with most of the stuff on here, notepad++, xampp etc.

Back when I learned PHP I used a book which I've forgotten the name of !

It covered PHP and MySQL at the same time and I found book learning better than the online tutorials, just because it takes you from A to B and it's all by the same person. When using online stuff I found that there were loads of getting started tutorials by different people, all covering slightly different things, sometimes in different ways. I think it's worth getting a good book to get started.

I also found it helped to start with an example project in mind. Even if it is just a website to add and manipulate imaginary customer details/stock etc. This way you can take what you've learned and adjust it to your needs which is ultimately what you need to do. I really like PHP and MySQL though because you can do quite a lot quite quickly.

[andyn]

Definitely agree that it's best to teach yourself from the 'ground up' with something like notepad++.

Things like dreamweaver can let you get something nice-looking up and running quickly, but the problem with the WYSIWYG designers is that they are ultimately limited, and when you find that you need to do something beyond what they provide you suddenly realise that you haven't actually learned anything about web development at all; just how to use dreamweaver/whatever :P.

The basics you need to get to grips with are HTML, CSS, SQL (MySQL), a programming/scripting language (usually PHP) and a hosting platform (usually apache).

[Jackster]

I learnt from decoding web sites.

I would clone a site using HTTPHacker and change them.

Doesn't work with everyone but it worked for me :)

[sb89]

Can also code php/html in Netbeans if you're looking for an IDE.

[andyn]

Can also code php/html in Netbeans if you're looking for a IDE.

Yeah NetBeans is OK. I wouldn't recommend something like eclipse/zend to learn with though, it's a job just to learn the IDE and that'll just get in the way of learning the code.

[sb89]

I've been using Netbeans for a couple of years now (with Java) so was quite easy for me to use it for PHP. I think it is best to start with Notepad. I use IDE's because it's unreal how clumsy I can be with brackets and the like. IDE's point this stuff out for you, otherwise I would be searching for hours for that missing bracket or ';'.

[scottmac]

I've been using Netbeans for a couple of years now (with Java) so was quite easy for me to use it for PHP. I think it is best to start with Notepad. I use IDE's because it's unreal how clumsy I can be with brackets and the like. IDE's point this stuff out for you, otherwise I would be searching for hours for that missing bracket or ';'.

I'm the same, I don't need a WYSIWYG or anything, just a coloured pointer if I miss something, saves me hours

[Faisal]

Also you'll find some extremely useful video tutorials on all sorts of programming languages. Here's the link, definitely the best way to start too since it's free. You should buy the books after you've made a start:

http://www.thenewboston.com/

[iGoD ReLeNtLeS]

just found this pretty awesome site.

http://htmledit.squarefree.com/

allows you to write in HTML and it compiles it as you go so you can see the edits your making instantly :) pretty handy if your on the go.

that xampp is much better than WAMP. The FTP makes it really useful to use from my file server, thats for the suggestion Rhys :D