Need PHP advice

[Taz]

If you have ever coded an forum script, what knowledge benefited you the most? What did you have know how to do without fail. For example, did you need to know functions most? Or may strings? I want to learn PHP but I want to learn it so that I am able to code a forum script. Once I am able to do that, everything else becomes much easier.

 

[D]

Start off with a smaller project first before you dive into the deep end, maybe make a small blog system or something. Trial and error is the best way to learn.

 

[Taz]

Yes, I understand, but unfortunately I don't even know how to make a blog system yet. I can look at tutorials, but most tutorials don't explain what each line means and why it works.

 

[LiquidServe]

Try codeignitor, though it will get obsolete by the time you'll be a pro in PHP.
Another thing I can suggest is that you dive into Ruby on Rails. You'll be better off. As far as blog system is concerned there is a tutorial on how to build it with codeigniter. It will be daunting at first but you'll understand it once you complete a free series of Codeigniter on Nettuts although the version used in that tutorial is very old and you'll end up having problems with running legacy code on new versions of CI but in the process you'll gain some great insights into how PHP works.

 

[Taz]

Alright, I will try it and post my progress periodically 😀, thanks.<br /><br />-- Fri Dec 13, 2013 6:28 pm --<br /><br />Can you refer me to more updated version? Too many incapability with that outdated code.

 

[20CentsPayout]

creating a forun is a huge project my advise is start with simple php pages

 

[lionel.web]

Yes, creating a forum is really big project. Especially if you want to do it with your own code.
There are easiest sollutions for fourms making, like phpbb, that will help you to do it fast and easy!

 

[Taz]

Read my OP, I didn't say anything about making a forum.

 

[jacktheking]

I started programming PHP when I learnt the basic of PHP from w3school. I did not read the advance lesson. With basic knowledge I went on to create a simple singature generator (basic) and than a simple plugin for MyBB (advance). I learn 'advance' PHP thought looking at open source plugin from MyBB. And now..I'm working on a PHP Based Role playing game.

I think you could look at some open source PHP Code and you will be able to cope with PHP.

 

[Taz]

I see, how long did it take you? An estimate.

 

[jacktheking]

I see, how long did it take you? An estimate.

Umm.. three years? Also, I see that you are developing plugin for MyBB..

 

[Taz]

Well I tried 😛, I couldn't get the mechanics behind it.

 

[Justin M]

The database/mysql aspect of it was the most involved when I coded my own forum script a couple years ago. Namely, database security, because that's what can really cripple the whole project.

 

[Taz]

Before coding a forum script, I just coded my first blog.
http://mybbdevelopers.net/test/

Please give me any tips that you can because I really struggled to get it. I don't quite understand how to grab information from the database. I need to know how the script works.

 

[Justin M]

Before coding a forum script, I just coded my first blog.
http://mybbdevelopers.net/test/

Please give me any tips that you can because I really struggled to get it. I don't quite understand how to grab information from the database. I need to know how the script works.

Once you connect to your database, you can use php SELECT to grab pretty much anything stored in there. There are a lot of additional functions that you can use to narrow down what information you retrieve, such as WHERE and ORDER BY.

 

[Taz]

Dang, I still have a long way to go, I'm going to try to recode it again with everything I learned and see how far I go.

 

[Justin M]

There's a lot to it, but take it slow. You'll get the hang of it. php.net is one of the best websites to read through to get a feel for it.

 

[C]

I need to start studying PHP. I only know how to do a couple of things with it, but like Java, it's a slow-learning process. There is just so much information!

 

[jacktheking]

There's a lot to it, but take it slow. You'll get the hang of it. php.net is one of the best websites to read through to get a feel for it.

I done agree. I rarely visit php.net. The information stated there is for professional programmers. I would suggest going to stackoverflow if you have any question or w3school if you are learning PHP.

 

[kavin]

Dang, I still have a long way to go, I'm going to try to recode it again with everything I learned and see how far I go.

From personal experience, i would advise you not to do that. It would always be tempting to recode your current project half way through it, but you would never be able to complete it as you will always learn new things and will want to start over again. You will find it hard to concentrate after some attempt.

Just take a minimal concept. A blog system with no categories, just list of blog posts (Author name, date time, title, description). And have a admin panel where you can add posts. Then try to add more features like categories, comments, etc; one by one.

I need to start studying PHP. I only know how to do a couple of things with it, but like Java, it's a slow-learning process. There is just so much information!

I know both of them, and i would say the basics of PHP is a bit faster to learn than Java. But with Java, the more you learn, the more powerful apps you can build.
And take it one step at a time, if you look at the big picture, they (especially Java) can be a bit daunting.