[Jagella]

I'm currently studying web programming and databases. I chose PHP and MySQL because they're supposed to be the most used languages for dynamic web pages. So far I've coded PHP to send form data to my email inbox, and I've also done a little coding to send such data to a database.

What are some of the most important applications for these languages? What are the best ways to learn these techniques?

Finally, when I'm more comfortable with PHP and MySQL (in ten years or so ), I'd like to create a website to show off my programming and database skills to clients. Do any of you have some ideas about the kind of site that might work well for this purpose?

Thanks!

Jagella

[mathceleb]

Originally Posted by Jagella

I'm currently studying web programming and databases. I chose PHP and MySQL because they're supposed to be the most used languages for dynamic web pages. So far I've coded PHP to send form data to my email inbox, and I've also done a little coding to send such data to a database.

What are some of the most important applications for these languages? What are the best ways to learn these techniques?

Finally, when I'm more comfortable with PHP and MySQL (in ten years or so ), I'd like to create a website to show off my programming and database skills to clients. Do any of you have some ideas about the kind of site that might work well for this purpose?

Thanks!

Jagella

I think a website that has snippets of code that can be reused would be a good start. Categorizing them by actions such as "email to database" and "retrieve information from database" would be a good start.

Also, creating something automated where a programmer could enter certain specs and your website would return the code for them would be useful.

[Jagella]

Originally Posted by mathceleb

I think a website that has snippets of code that can be reused would be a good start. Categorizing them by actions such as "email to database" and "retrieve information from database" would be a good start.

That sounds like a good idea. Dreamweaver CS3 allows me to easily store and retrieve snippets of code. (I mostly use Dreamweaver when creating websites.) I assume you mean PHP code.

Originally Posted by mathceleb

Also, creating something automated where a programmer could enter certain specs and your website would return the code for them would be useful.

What kind of specs are you referring to?

Thanks!

Jagella

[mathceleb]

Originally Posted by Jagella

What kind of specs are you referring to?

For instance, think of something people need help with in coding that you see repeated. For me, I get asked often how to calculate the age between 2 dates using different parameters, i.e., 1 day = 1 month, standard date subtraction where you borrow 30 days, not counting remaining days for a date subtraction, etc.

A person enters their 2 dates and method of subtraction and the result pops up. Mind you, this is on a simple scale. I was thinking of a website where snippets of code are generated that are parameterized.

I know there are websites out there that have snippets of code, but snippets based on parameters in my opinion could really generate some serious traffic.

I've often thought of building something like this and have not really seen much of this out there.

Instead of having to ask on a website about a modification of a snippet, the website I'm talking about would be able to return many types of answers with just one user input module. You would be a one-stop shop for .php/MySQL.

I'd be happy to share more ideas and code snippets with you to get you started if you want. I really believe something like that would save money and time, and consolidate traffic to your website.

[Jagella]

Originally Posted by mathceleb

I know there are websites out there that have snippets of code, but snippets based on parameters in my opinion could really generate some serious traffic.

I've often thought of building something like this and have not really seen much of this out there.

Thanks for the idea. It sounds like something that's a lot more advanced than my current skills and knowledge. I'm a beginner to PHP and MySQL. I just started using my webhost's remote server to define a database today. It was the first time I created a database on the remote server and uploaded a form page to insert records.

Originally Posted by mathceleb

I'd be happy to share more ideas and code snippets with you to get you started if you want.

Thanks. I can use all the help I can get! Do you have any code I can use to register visitors to a website? I will start studying that soon.

Jagella

[mathceleb]

Originally Posted by Jagella

Thanks. I can use all the help I can get! Do you have any code I can use to register visitors to a website? I will start studying that soon.

Jagella

Like an e-mail list?

[altwebdesign]

learn about sessions and security, password encryption, database encryption etc, its sometimes overlooked but very important!

[Jagella]

Originally Posted by mathceleb

Like an e-mail list?

Sure. Any help you may have.

Jagella

[Jagella]

Originally Posted by altwebdesign

learn about sessions and security, password encryption, database encryption etc, its sometimes overlooked but very important!

The PHP I've been studying includes code that increases security. For instance, PHP can be used to prevent email header injection which is an attempt to use web-page forms into spam relays.

Jagella

[brispravi]

Thanks ....
I hope other members would love to share their great photos and memories this site.

[JMele]

Originally Posted by Jagella

I'm currently studying web programming and databases. I chose PHP and MySQL because they're supposed to be the most used languages for dynamic web pages. So far I've coded PHP to send form data to my email inbox, and I've also done a little coding to send such data to a database.

What are some of the most important applications for these languages? What are the best ways to learn these techniques?

Finally, when I'm more comfortable with PHP and MySQL (in ten years or so ), I'd like to create a website to show off my programming and database skills to clients. Do any of you have some ideas about the kind of site that might work well for this purpose?

Thanks!

Jagella

PHP is a great language to learn of course after knowing HTML.

A great resource for learning PHP is w3schools(DOT) com/php/default.asp

That goes through A LOT of different things you can do with PHP.

w3schools(DOT)com/php/php_mysql_intro.asp PHP MySQL Introduction is their database page. They include a lot of information from adding into to deleting & changing it.


A login system is quite easy with PHP, all you need to do is create a form where people register and then create a login form that just checks to see if the login & password exist and are correct.

Security is a very important aspect of PHP, always make sure to define a variable, and never allow special characters in any field that runs a MySql query to prevent SQL injections. While security is a big part of programming it's best to learn to code things and then learn to evaluate what you coded to make sure its secure after.

Functions will help you GREATLY, i always start out with a functions page when starting a project and simply include it in every page you create. If you ever find yourself coding the same code or copying/pasting code multiple times then functions will help you a lot.

[feint]

someone mentioned dreamweaver. Don't use that!

There are plenty of php tutorials out there and im sure youve already found those - what you really need to learn about is the industry and what is required of the best php programmers.

I reccommend learning a bit about PHP frameworks, scaling, version control, optimization, caching and security.

Anyone can learn PHP - but few learn the above. If you ever want to work for a high technology startup, these are the things that are looked for.

[Jagella]

Thanks a lot for the information.

[Jagella]

Originally Posted by feint

someone mentioned dreamweaver. Don't use that!

Why not?

Originally Posted by feint

I reccommend learning a bit about PHP frameworks, scaling, version control, optimization, caching and security.

Will do.

Originally Posted by feint

Anyone can learn PHP - but few learn the above. If you ever want to work for a high technology startup, these are the things that are looked for.

How long does it take to become employable as a PHP programmer? I'm studying PHP about two hours per day.

Thanks for the advice.

[feint]

Dreamweaver is a wysiwyg editor (although it can be used as just a code based editor). Not one top tier programmer or startup I know uses Dreamweaver - its a tool for small businesses that don't have specialist programmers or designers. I hire lots of programmers - i wouldn't hire anyone who uses dreamweaver as I know they wouldn't be a professional.

My team uses Coda on a Mac and PSPad Editor on Windows. There pretty standard tools

If wouldn't take you long to learn enough to be hired by a small business to make a contact form. But if you wanted to get into the juicy stuff like building an app such as Task.fm it will take a while. I generally don't look at the amount time rather the work you have previously done. Build a portfolio of apps you have previously built.

Also, read blogs like SmashingMagazine, Freelance Switch and WebAppers to keep up with the latest trends and standards.