Noob

[Frog Brew]

Just wanted to say a quick hello, and many “thank you's” in advance. I have always dodged any kind of script to design web sites, or installing someone else’s (which I was not very good at either) always masking my inabilities with flash and heavy eye catching graphics. It's very apparent that I will no longer be able to get away with this, and I want to learn. After reading through this forum I definitely feel like the little fish in the big pond. Which I think is good because I want to learn. Believe it or not I am reading PHP for dummies right now. :confused: Once I get that done I will move along to bigger...any tips would greatly appreciated.

[Twey]

Welcome to the dark side. ;)

Good luck on your learning.

[thetestingsite]

Yes, good luck and welcome as well.

[BLiZZaRD]

Welcome.

Advice: Read, watch, test, ask, read.

Secondary Advice: Use Flash for what it is meant for, not to cover inabilities, but to showcase your talent with the program.

Also, if you are halfway decent with Flash, learn JavaScript, as it is based off the same root language that ActionScript is :)

[Frog Brew]

Advice taken...as for Flash, if the best was rated a 10, I might rate a 2...might. My goal is a simple 5 yr plan. I am stuck in day to day salary job that pays the mortgage. Not at all the kind of job that a person aspires to.
People keep telling me I am in the wrong buisness, (those people are not internet savy) I keep saying that in their eyes I may appear talented but in the grand scheeme of things I am merely mediocre..... a dime a douzen. Thing is, I would like to some day be able to work from home doing what I like most. So this is why I am prepared to bang my head against the wall, read, bang my head again, watch, take a tylenol, test, drink a 6 pack, ask,...and then start over. I figure after a 5 yr headache and one hell of a hangover I should have learned enough to be 1/2 decent.

[mburt]

bang my head against the wall, read, bang my head again, watch, take a tylenol, test, drink a 6 pack, ask,...and then start over

Lol... Some good ways to get started is to set up some kind of account (free) that has enabled server-side languages:
Try http://funpic.org/
Just to test stuff. I find testing helps me learn what's wrong and how to fix it. You need some good tutorials/books to get a good start though.

Basically, if you learn one language, other languages come much easier, since they usually follow the same syntax. I learned javascript first, but some people might not want to seeings it can become fairly complex, and the fact that you need to know HTML to use it.

If you're really getting in to this computer/web design thing start out with the basics, and..
Good luck! :)

[Frog Brew]

Would you suggest setting it up on My computer as well? (WAMP) I am curretly really interested in PHP. I already have access to a few servers that has enabled server-side languages (yes I pay for :( ) I run an online hockey site so that my son and I have something in commmon. It's not much but to the everyday Joe it's impressive.

http://www.lightthelamp.com

[mburt]

Well if PHP is enabled, go for it. You should get all your documentation from http://php.net/ - They also have function definitions/arguments/structure/examples listed.
Try a simple script like this on your page to test for php:

<?php
echo "test";
?>
or better yet use this php function:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>
That will display all the functions that your server has enabled with PHP. Also, I'm assuming you know enough about HTML to start with webpages, correct?

[BLiZZaRD]

Light The Lamp...

Invasion? Could it be?

[Twey]

I run an online hockey site so that my son and I have something in commmon. It's not much but to the everyday Joe it's impressive.

http://www.lightthelamp.comI don't have Flash installed, so I can't see it.
Would you suggest setting it up on My computer as well? (WAMP)Yes. I'd even go further and suggest you get a Linux box (or dual-boot your current machine) for testing and development. The whole setup process is a lot easier there, and the majority of webservers run a UNIX variant; it will also allow you to test in browsers that don't run in or are hard to set up on Windows too.

[thetestingsite]

I use WAMP5 on my home machine, and it serves its purpose. Plus, working for an ISP and all, I got a static IP address assigned it and set up a subdomain off one of our domains that we own (for easy access). But I like Twey's idea of getting a Linux box or doing the dual boot.

[Frog Brew]

Hmmm well that gives me an idea, seeing I run the hockey server off a seperate maching in my home ,(our service provider Cogeco) gives us 3 static IP's. I could run it off that server when it's not in use. Anyways I better stop asking questions because I have to deal with info you all have given me so far.

Haha hopefully in a few yrs time a few of you can look back and say remember when Todd (me) new absolutely nothing...looks like a really friendly and informative site. I am glad I found this site it in that source code. BTW did anyone happen to read my question in "Looking for such a script or service"?

[Twey]

Incidentally, your page doesn't validate (http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=http://www.lightthelamp.com) and you shouldn't be serving XHTML as text/html.

[Frog Brew]

I noticed that I tried it when I cam across the validation link...Dream Weaver for some reason, put that code in, I will have to fix that.

[mburt]

ACK!! Don't use any programs to do your websites, just use a standard ASCII formatting program, like Notepad. They put in unnecessary, and sometimes invalid code, probably messing it up.

[Frog Brew]

Incidentally, your page doesn't validate (http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=http://www.lightthelamp.com) and you shouldn't be serving XHTML as text/html.


I think it's fixed now. This is something I was never aware of...

[Twey]

Somewhat better, but HTML Strict is preferable. Transitional was designed for the interim period where people were still switching over from HTML 3. That was quite a long time ago. :)

[Frog Brew]

Tough crowd heh heh... K I will try it that way..learning already

[Frog Brew]

Well if PHP is enabled, go for it. You should get all your documentation from http://php.net/ - They also have function definitions/arguments/structure/examples listed.
Try a simple script like this on your page to test for php:

<?php
echo "test";
?>
or better yet use this php function:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>
That will display all the functions that your server has enabled with PHP. Also, I'm assuming you know enough about HTML to start with webpages, correct?


It is enabled ..all I saw was the output which was test

It's also version 4.4.4

Guess it's a start.

[mburt]

That's good, at least you know it's installed properly :p

[thetestingsite]

You should be able to learn PHP pretty easily. I learned the basics within a week and the more advanced stuff within a few months. (That was without reading books, simply looking at tutorials on PHP.net and some other places) And if you get stuck along the way, there's always these forums.

Enjoy!

[mburt]

You should be able to learn PHP pretty easily. I learned the basics within a week and the more advanced stuff within a few months.
Yes, PHP is very easy to learn. I learned the basics of PHP/MySql in one day. :)

[Twey]

"Well I learned it in half a day!"
"Well I learned it six hours!"
"Well I learned it in one hour!"
"Well I learned it in a minute!"
"Well I learned it in 30 SECONDS LESS THAN YOU!"
...
:p

I didn't really do much with MySQL until some months after I'd learnt PHP, and even then I didn't really make a conscious effort, just sort of picked it up as I went along. I guess that puts my MySQL learning time at something like six months :)

[thetestingsite]

"Well I learned it in half a day!"
"Well I learned it six hours!"
"Well I learned it in one hour!"
"Well I learned it in a minute!"
"Well I learned it in 30 SECONDS LESS THAN YOU!"
...
:p


ROFL :D

[Frog Brew]

If I have kids and a wife do I get a time handicap? (4 kids) To me that has got to be worth a handicap of some sort!

[mburt]

^^ LOL
"Well I learned it faster than that! *points to computer" :p

[thetestingsite]

Brew: I've got a 4 year old, a wife, and 2 jobs. So you get a +3 handicap. Not sure what that means, but you get it nonetheless.

Added Later: and my 4 year old likes to mess with the keyboard when I'm typing.

[Frog Brew]

I will take it!

[BLiZZaRD]

So what do I get with 3 kids who are addicted to MySpace 2 complete websites to run and Flash proggies to make which all in all ties up my computer to about 23.89 hours a day?

Heh..

[thetestingsite]

-2 for the MySpace thing. lol

[Frog Brew]

Just wondering if this is possible, and I am sure it because from what I hear anything is possible with PHP. The person who wants the site wants to make one for collectibles. If anyone collected any kind of sports card when they were younger this would make sense. Remember "got it, got it, got it, need it, need it, got it...." Seeing we are using cards as the example, he wants to put together a database of each card with their market value/picture/description, and then the users have the ability to check off what they have and then it would tally the amount of $$ it would be worth and it would also show them what they were missing from their collection. Anyways this is what I am up against, I don't think it will hard i think it will be tedious.

[djr33]

Yep. Just tedious. Take a look here:
http://php-mysql-tutorial.com

Everything from the coding side of things that you will need is there.

[mburt]

Yulp, that's the one I used when I started my first database related script. It's good for reference on the basic functions.

[BLiZZaRD]

You might want to have a look here too (http://www.twinsupply.com/coffee/item33600.html)

:D

[Frog Brew]

That's encouraging :eek: LOL...

[Twey]

You might want to have a look here too (http://www.twinsupply.com/coffee/item33600.html)HAHAHAHAHA :D My own brew of choice is Earl Grey :) Can't beat it for late-night coding.

[Frog Brew]

This coding this is kind of addictive I assume?

[mburt]

Very :)

[thetestingsite]

Programmers Anonymous is a good program, just remember the first step is admitting you have a problem. :D

[mburt]

Haha... I should put that in my sig :p

[Twey]

Just a little ;)

It would also probably be a good idea to acquaint your family (as best as you're able) with the etiquette surrounding hack mode (http://catb.org/esr/jargon/html/H/hack-mode.html) now, so they don't get too much of a shock later on. :)

[Frog Brew]

Well you guys are very good at what you do, you have one hell of an influence, I am actually excited about this, I just finshed another day of slave to the grind never ending protests from employees complaining they have another problem bs crap day, my eyes are tired and my mind is dull and all I want to do is grab a coke and resume where I left off yesterday. :D

[thetestingsite]

Caffine is your friend.

[BLiZZaRD]

Don't worry, that will wear off soon enough. Then you will start the "quest phase" where you search for something to do that is both new and exciting. Usually you will fail at this. Once that stage is complete you will begin attempting to rewrite history, so to speak, by thinking of ways to make what you do know even better, or try to solve one of many "internet impossibilities" (completely and wholly preventing pictures from being stolen from a web page is rather popular). Once you are though THAT stage you will be right here answering posts and spending your days laughing at the newbie's like the rest of us. :D

[Frog Brew]

Well with the little time I have had, the Habs played Monday, I was exhausted last night and decided reading was not in the cards but a 6 pack and Back to back to back to back episodes of everybody loves raymond was, I had not gotten alot done.

Anyways I am actually understanding this stuff, it reminds me a little...I do mean a little of excel, except with way more potential. I am not up to arrays yet but messing with variables, Integer, float and charater strings.

Anyways handicap or not I won't have this down as fast as some of you.

[thetestingsite]

It's not a race to know this stuff the fastest or whatnot. Instead, learn as much as you can so that you can be as helpful as you can. When I first learned, it did not mean much to anyone other than myself. Now, at my job; or even here, I'm helping people out with the knowledge I have. Just stick with it.

Enjoy!

[Frog Brew]

Well right now this PHP for Dummies is pretty good, I am actually learning, I doing everything the book tells me wether or not I think it's useless right now. I am learning that you can't miss a single keystroke right now. If I get a run at it I am guessing I can be done the book in a week. I guess once I have the basics is when I really will start learning...when I actually have to use it for a purpose. The stuff I am doing right now does not serve any purpose but to learne. As you can see it's oretty basic stuff LOL.

<?php
$var1 = "1";
$var2 = 7;
$var3 = 29;
$total = $var1 + $var2;
$total_2 = $var1 + $var2 * $var3;
echo "<BR>$total<BR>";
echo "$total_2";
?>

<?php
$total= (7*5)+43-(17*10);
echo "<BR>$total";
?>

<?php
$counter = 27;
$counter/=4;
$rootvar = sqrt($counter);
echo "<BR>$counter";
echo "<BR>$rootvar";
$upnumber = ceil($rootvar);
echo "<BR>$upnumber";
$downnumber = floor($rootvar);
echo "<BR>$downnumber";
?>

[thetestingsite]

Your into variables and math functions I see. Wait until the arrays, filesystem functions, IMAP functions, FTP functions, etc. That's when the fun begins. :D

EDIT: Also, the above is essential to a lot of PHP scripts later on. Such as that last snippet you posted, that would be (sort of) the basics of paging. (Next 1 2 3...)

[Frog Brew]

Then that's a good thing, I knew I should'nt skip it...
:D

[thetestingsite]

Yeah, it's always good (when learning that is) when you don't skip a step or get ahead of yourself when you haven't learned the essentials yet. The basics are very important when it comes to the more advanced stuff, so try to remember them, or (like I do when I forget about them) remember there is always PHP.net (http://www.php.net) and these forums.

Added later: Something else to remember is that it is always best to work in an environment that is comfortable (relaxing almost) to you (unless this is your profession, then sorry.) What helps me is listening to music, drinking a nice cold {insert beverage of choice here}, and either writing my ideas out or jumping right in and coding.

[Twey]

Hm, what a strange person. I code best either late at night, when I can barely keep awake, or early in the morning, when I've just woken up, kneeling on the floor.

I find that planning is only useful for very large projects, or things involving databases.

[mburt]

Yes, I have to admit: I love coding late at night, and just starting scripts/pages early in the morning. During the day I still do it from time to time, but I have... well, different things to do with my life :p

[thetestingsite]

What helps me is listening to music, drinking a nice cold {insert beverage of choice here}, and either writing my ideas out or jumping right in and coding.

I forgot to mention I do this stuff at night about 3 or 4 hours after I get off of work (unless I'm working for the ISP I work for, then I do it at work with the exception of the cold beverage that is).

[Frog Brew]

Well for me oddly enough I don't start having fun till I encounter problems, It's usually with graphics, ( I fell in love with skinning about 6 yrs ago) but got tired of it after 2. Now I do sites for people on the side.

http://www.watsondwyer.com
http://dustbunniescleaners.com
The second one took me a Saturday morning to do once the client was ok with his graphic...his concept not mine.

Anyways while learning this stuff I seem to be more interested when something does not work, I also like mixing it up to see what happens when I I mess with the code, even though what I am doing is very basic...I will get there, you'll see!

[thetestingsite]

I seem to be more interested when something does not work, I also like mixing it up to see what happens when I mess with the code

ditto, with the exception that I am curious as to why something doesn't work. Then, try to form a solution off of what I know or what I can find out.

[djr33]

I'm always up too late doing this stuff. Never in the morning. Rarely during normal hours of the day. I wish I had that much time to do this at a sane hour. :D