PHP & MySQL

[tomyknoker]

Hi,

Am just starting to get into PHP and realise for databasing with this you need mySQL... Is this the best way to go? Using these too... I'm on a Mac and just want some advice about which would work the best for me...

[djr33]

http://www.php-mysql-tutorial.com/
I like that tutorial.
Good intro, anyway.

Sure... php and mysql are designed to be used together. They both do their job well.

[tomyknoker]

Is PHP the best option? Is ASP better?

Is it all easy to set up on a mac? and using dreamweaver...

[djr33]

haha, ASP on mac? not a chance... it's a microsoft product.

it's also proprietary, whereas php is open source.

go php. it's better anyway, from what I can tell.

dreamweaver has nice php integration... but mostly just color coding... it doesn't code it for you. time to learn anyway, though. it'll pay off in the end. but... dw is nice to help you see the code visually... not just a lot of text.

I'm not sure how hard it is to setup... came with my hosting account.

not too bad, though, I don't think.

[tomyknoker]

Ok cool PHP it is... I have just been baffled by all the terms PHP, mySQL, PERL, ASP, ...!!!

It's set up on my hosting account which is good!

In dreamweaver do you need to set up a testing server? hav eyou done anything like this? Is it complicated? Or is it just as easy uploading to the web server and viewing code there?

Oh and is it worth going a book? Or just doing tutorials? What did you use origianlly? aaaaahhh so many questions!

[djr33]

I've never set up a testing server.. just use the code, then upload to preview. An extra step, yes... but it's fine.

However... you could install on your computer and the preview would work. Your choice.


If you can read a book and understand programming, go for it... it's hard to read, then be able to do for some people, though.

I like learning by doing and playing til it works, then I know.

Up to you.

[tomyknoker]

Yea I'm the same... Do you know of any tutorials?

[djr33]

As I posted above, http://www.php-mysql-tutorial.com/

That's good for a basic intro.

As for php itself, just google it.

php.net has a GREAT function lookup search, where it'll give examples, warnings, and user comments for every function.
It doesn't have any tutorials, but its nice for reference when trying to figure stuff out.

[Twey]

haha, ASP on mac? not a chance... it's a microsoft product.

Actually, there is a cross-platform ASP engine from Chilisoft that runs on Apache. It's rather expensive though.

[djr33]

Well... even if it IS possible, I find it quite amusing. Ironic.

Anyway,

It's rather expensive though.

Yeah. and php is free. Your choice... ^_^