- Introduction to PHP Programming
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing PHP on macOS
- The Fundamentals of PHP Syntax
- A Comprehensive Guide to PHP Data Types
- Exploring PHP Superglobal Variables: A Comprehensive Guide
- Understanding PHP Operators: A Comprehensive Guide
- Mastering Conditional Statements in PHP: A Beginner’s Guide with Examples
- Exploring Loop Statements in PHP
- Form Handling in PHP: A Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
- Understanding PHP Arrays: A Comprehensive Guide
- Exploring PHP Built-In Functions
- Exploring User-Defined Functions in PHP
- Demystifying Scopes in PHP: A Practical Guide
- Understanding PHP Constants: Unchangeable Data for Reliable Code
- A Guide to PHP Classes and Objects: Building the Foundations of Object-Oriented PHP
- Creating Databases with PHP and MySQL: A Beginner’s Guide
- Connecting to a MySQL Database with PHP: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Connecting and Inserting Data into a MySQL Table with PHP
- Updating and Deleting Data in a MySQL Table with PHP
- PDO in PHP: A Better Way to Create, Read, and Update Data
- Fetching and Selecting Data in MySQL Using PHP with PDO
Presenting the new edition of my introductory PHP series on the blog. This Article Series offers an in-depth exploration of PHP’s fundamental principles and the benefits you’ll gain from following this series. This series is tailored to beginners, ensuring a smooth learning curve for individuals new to PHP and programming languages. The goal is to facilitate an immersive experience without overwhelming learners, maintaining this focus throughout the series.
Feeling intimidated by programming, especially when approaching a new programming language, is common. Therefore, worry not about potential complexities. My commitment is to convey concepts in the most comprehensible manner possible, catering to individuals without prior programming exposure. It’s important to acknowledge that the series will progressively advance in complexity.
Addressing the distinction in execution between HTML, CSS, JavaScript (which operate within the browser), and PHP (which functions on the server) brings forth an important query: Is PHP’s relevance diminishing? Surprisingly, in the digital realm of 2023, over 78% of websites rely on PHP as their backend language, affirming its continued significance. Nevertheless, debates persist, questioning PHP’s viability due to its close association with web development, in contrast to versatile languages like Python that serve various purposes.
Prominent websites including Wikipedia and Canvas effectively employ PHP. Additionally, WordPress, though a content management system, is reliant on PHP for plugins and CMS functionality. For those aspiring to master WordPress, learning PHP is essential. However, a distinction between theory and practical implementation emerges when learning PHP. Early stages emphasize theory, paving the way for later practical examples, as understanding theory is foundational before applying it in practical contexts.
Navigating the series’s approach, it’s evident that teaching a backend programming language like PHP can be overwhelming. Thus, the strategy involves breaking down content into manageable lessons, easing the learning process. In teaching PHP, it’s sensible to divide it into three key components: the PHP language itself, database manipulation, and security. Learning about databases involves data retrieval and insertion. Recognizing that security is paramount, it’s important to address this aspect, although not overwhelmingly at the onset.
While some advocate for comprehensive security education at the start, this series adopts a more gradual approach, initially focusing on PHP concepts and gradually integrating security principles. Questions frequently asked are also addressed, including the provision of documentation for each lesson and the distinction between procedural and object-oriented PHP programming. For beginners, procedural PHP is emphasized initially, followed by object-oriented PHP in later stages.
The series will not cover frameworks such as Laravel, given the series’ beginner-oriented focus. Frameworks enhance efficiency but will be reserved for future series. In the next episode, we’ll explore setting up PHP and installing a local server, an essential component given PHP’s server-side nature. Rest assured, setting up a local server is a straightforward process and won’t pose any risks to your computer. I hope you found this introduction insightful, and I look forward to exploring the journey ahead in subsequent episodes.