What are the basics of PHP ?

[MandaaPandaa]

I may sound like a total newb. And this question is definitely going to showcase that.<br />
In very basic English, can someone explain to me what I would need to do to have a user based website ?<br />
And on this chat, what's your favorite free site host ?<br />
Thanks very much!<br />

 

[Cazpa]

The best thing I found was to play with and develop small opensource php scripts, this is a good way of understanding how to do things, alternativly you can check out w3schools for free online tutorials and examples.

I say you should use http//jgiff.net for yor free host, they offer 3 mysql databases that will come in handy for your php scripts

Good Luck

 

[LS]

Depending on exactly what you are looking for in a user based website, you might want to look into WetPaint. WetPaint allows users to modify the site as well, as long as they are members. I haven't used it myself but my son and his friends have done and it's gaining in popularity so I imagine it's pretty decent.

http//wetpaint.com

 

[raddmadd]

PHP is a server side language. This means that it's work is done BEFORE the user loads the page. So for instance, say I go to

raddmadd.com/index.php

I don't see "PHP" I see HTML, correct? A web browser displays HTML pages. PHP processes pages on the server, then the server sends these already-processed documents to a users web browser. So in a short answer, you need an http server.

http//httpd.apache.org/

then download PHP

http//www.php.net/

then, type in your web browser http//localhost/

throw your PHP files in your web directory (might be called htdocs, which is in c/program files/apache (or something like that))

http//w3schools.com/php/default.asp has quick tutorials, but I suggest getting a book. )

 

[Opal]

I'm not sure what you're asking, whether you're interested in learning PHP or just making a site. PHP is a programming language that allows for powerful dynamic websites (like forums, commenting, rate/review, content management systems, etc). Other languages can do the same. It's not necessary though to simply make a static website. If you are looking to make a site with such functionality, consider using a content management system as the platform for your site, Good ones are Joomla, Drupal and Plone. You don't have to know PHP or programming languages to use a CMS, only if you need to open the core files to edit something (but that's usually not the case). We use Joomla at work and it, like the others, does have user accounts. For any of these CMSs you have to download their package and install it on your server.

I don't know of a free site host. Hosting isn't free unless you go to Freewebs or Wordpress.

 

[Nile Hadwards]

Good short, tutorial, good for new people wanting to learn PHP.

 

[matthewchung]

PHP is a server side language. This means that most of the work is done by the servers rather than the users home computer, meaning reduced load times on the user's side.The great thing about PHP is that it can interact with an operating system to perform any task. When an operating system command is given, the output will be received.