starting php and mysql

[elvirs]

hi
today is very important day for me because finally decided to start exploring PHP. semester is over and i am here at university till early august and i am taking just one cource, i think this one month is perfect time to start with PHP which i was planning to do for a long time
i just got from library my "PHP and MySQL Web Development" book of around 800 pages by Laura Thomson and right now i am sitting in fron of my pc asking your for some advice.
i have a book and have a computer and have some brain but these are not enough for learning how to code, i need compilor/s, some forums where i can ask my stupid questions database,server etc for practising and experimenting if i want to learn it very good.
can you guys please tell me
1-what is best comiler(saying compiler i mean the program where you write code, for example DW8 is best for css, for me) for PHP(free is preferred)
2-which forums do you advice me to visit for my questions
3-what do i need to install to successfully practise php

well, i think thats all for now. hope to hear from you guys

[GaryS]

1 - Something that gives you syntax highlighting will get you a long way. I use HTMLkit - no doubt others will post their favourites

2 - You found it!

3 - Get an "all-in-one" installation of Apache/PHP/mySQL/phpAdmin. I use AppServ... there are others.

[I don`t mind]

1 - Notepad++ http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...kage_id=102072
2 - There'S nothing better than Sitepoint forums
3 - XAMPP http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html

[mark_W]

I guess by compiler you are meaning an IDE? I like nusphere (www.nusphere.com).

I would install the latest versions of PHP, MySQL and either run Apache or IIS. I would choose Apache myself. Just google for 'installing PHP Apacahe MySql'. Im sure you can find something.

[vhogarth]

here's my two cents for the quickest way to get your "environment" setup so you can worry about actually learning the language.

1.) I recommend PHPDesigner 2006. Has some good syntax highlighting and bracket matching that will come in handy immensly when you're starting out. I cant tell you how many times i kept getting parse errors because i forgot to close brackets.

2.) Sitepoint is the spot for all yoru questions.

3.)Secondly, and i think most importantly. I'd bypass manually installing php, apache, and mysql. Instead download apachefriends bundle which will install and configure all 3 for you automatically. Its as simple as installing a single program. here's a link http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html

3a.) If you really want to learn who to configure php,mysql, and apache then go ahead and download each of them seperately and find a tutoril online to help you out, but if you want to get everything setup quickly so you can start writing scripts then def download xampp.

[rockit]

i've read that book before and found it has both it's stengths and weaknesses. i find it really overlooks the importance of OOP and mainly focuses on building procedural scripts. OOP makes your life easier and is a definitely asset to not only know, but understand well and master.

for simplicity sake if you already have DW8 you can write php from it.

sitepoint forums is always a very prompt way to find answers, and i think it's strenghts are definitely for PHP answers. also, sitepoint.com is full of great

lastly, i would do things the old fashioned way to install things. it's the best way to learn and really doesn't take that much effort. http://www.sitepoint.com/article/php...1-installation. installation only takes a few minutes, but it's always best to build a foundation of learning i feel and get an idea how things run. please note though if you download apache, don't download apache 2.2 and it runs quite quarky i find with php and caused me some gried until i realized there are some bugs with things.

[ldivinag]

i have DW MX 2004. i was gonna use it for php editing but when i found editors that specialized for it (like syntax coloring and syntax HINTS), i kinda drop DW.

XAMPP has the LITE version which doesnt include all of the stuff... just the WAMP...

one of the downsides of all the php books i have, is that they tend to show you mixing php and html everywhere.

not until the ADVANCED books do they show templating, smarty, framework, etc...

[elvirs]

wow
was not expecting such explaining answers. you guys are very kind.

thanks for all your answers but there are some things i could not get.

is IDE different from DW or PHP Designer 2006. i have tryed php designer 2006 and i have tryed notepad++, is nusphere different from them? is DW8 an IDE?

BTW. i decided on appserv as all in one php+myql+apache to make it for me easier to install.

[ldivinag]

IDE = integrated development environment...

so i guess you'll get more answers than there are IDEs... lol...

for me, it's an editor, debugger, and ftp client as a minimum.

[elvirs]

hanyways, forget the ides. i think appserv did not work. i wrote a code and tryed to run it but it did not. i even cannot open phpmyadmin index page. i donno what do to with it.
can anyone tell me how can i check if appserv or its components are working properly?
if they are ok, what is possible reason for me not be able to run my php pages???

[GaryS]

First thing to do is check that Apache is running: start>AppServ>Manual Control Server > Apache Stop ... then do the same again for Apache start.

If it starts properly, try to navigate to http://localhost/ - you should get the "The AppServ Open Project" page.

[elvirs]

oh ****,
who a heck gave me this link for xamp? it is in german and i smart boy installed it...
i want to dye when it says `velcom to apache fur windows`
-GaryS, thank you for your answer, it was helpful.

[Jake Arkinstall]

ok, what is the point in using all these more complicated programs?
1) I use notepad, oh ye faithfull notepad!
2)SITEPOINT!
3)WAMP is a mixture of apache, php, mySQL, SQLite Manager and phpMyAdmin