Pros of PHP

[Trinity]

Why is PHP a good language & how is it better than other most used languages [except for the reason that it is free]?

[kalpik]

1. PHP is open source. So development is fast.
2. PHP is very easy. If u know C, u know 90% of PHP.
3. PHP is platform independant. Since it is browser based.
4. PHP is very powerfull. Can do almost everything that any other language does!

Regards,
Kalpik

[alib_i]

i would also like to add that PHP has a very large collection of extremely well thought-off functions which can allow to do anything you want !
php's functions are very good
being open source is very helpful

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alibi

[tuxfan]

Originally Posted by kalpik

If u know C, u know 90% of PHP.

Is that so? Are you sure?

I knew quite a bit of C and can pick up from where I left a few years ago. I am very eager to learn PHP.

[alib_i]

yeah .. the format is very similar.
ex. if-else condition statements, loops, etc
if you know C, you'll find PHP very easy

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alibi

[kalpik]

Originally Posted by tuxfan

Is that so? Are you sure?

I knew quite a bit of C and can pick up from where I left a few years ago. I am very eager to learn PHP.

Hi tuxfan!

Yeah, PHP is *VERY* similar to C! Well have a look at the documentation section at http://php.net to get started! Ill be happy to help if u need any help regarding this!

Regards,

Kalpik

[tuxfan]

Originally Posted by kalpik

Hi tuxfan!

Yeah, PHP is *VERY* similar to C! Well have a look at the documentation section at http://php.net to get started! Ill be happy to help if u need any help regarding this!

Regards,

Kalpik

Thank you so much. Can you please tell me from where I start?

[kalpik]

Hi!

Well first of all, u nees a web server since PHP is a server side language. Get apache server from http://apache.org

Then u need the PHP binaries. Get them from http://www.php.net/get/php-5.0.4-Win.../from/a/mirror

Then extract php-5.0.4-Win32.zip to the folder where PHP will be installed, C:\PHP is a good choice. Then read the install.txt in this zip. Yeah! I know its a bloody LONG file! Well the important sections are the starting intro and "Apache 2.0.x on Microsoft Windows
" topic. Read it throghly! Also it will contain info about configuring your php.ini file. Read it too.

Then install Apache server. And edit the httpd.conf file according to the info in the install.txt file in the php package.

Woah!

Do this n then let me know!! Hehe

Kalpik

[abhishekkulkarni]

Even I am doing what you have suggested.Please guide me ahead.

[kalpik]

Hi!

Actually, configuring PHP with Apache is the *most* tedious job i've ever done! Ill maki it easier for u guys. Download Apache from http://apache.org and install it with the defaults. When it asks for domail name etc, enter "localhost" in the first 2 boxes and enter ur email address in the third.

Now download PHP from http://www.php.net/get/php-5.0.4-Win.../from/a/mirror

Unzip it to C:\PHP.

Now download http://www.kalpik.5gigs.com/php.zip

This has 2 files. Extract php.ini into C:\PHP and httpd.conf into C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\conf

Replace all existing files.

Now, u will have a leaf type icon in your system tray with a green "play" button on it. Left click on it and select Apache2 -> restart. U will see several warnings about a file php_mysql something. Just keep pressing ok.

now goto start -> run -> services.msc

Here double click on Apache2 and change startup type from automatic to manual.

Now right click My Computer, select properties. Go to the advanced tab and click "Environment Variables" Now under "System Variables", there will be a value named "Path", double click on it.

Now if the variable value is ending in a ";" (semi colon), its ok otherwise, put a semi colon and write "C:\PHP;C:\PHP\ext" (Without quotes) over there. Select ok to exit the dialog box.

Now restart.

After restart, u will have the apache icon in ur tray with a red "stop" button. Click on it select Apache2 -> start. Now u should not see any warnings if everything is configured correctly.

Now open your browser and type "localhost" or "127.0.0.1" in the address bar. A page of Apache should open. If it opens, CONGRATS! U have succesfully configured Apache with PHP! Otherwise get back to me!

Try this and let me know!

Take care!

Kalpik

[kalpik]

Direct link for Apache (incase u r not able to find it!)

http://www.signal42.com/mirrors/apac...x86-no_ssl.msi

[tuxfan]

Actually, I have PHP+MySQL enabled server space So I can directly use it for initial trial and error. I have downloaded the documentation yesterday and have just started reading. Will make a simple "Hello World" PHP application today and proceed further from there.

Any suggestions/tips?

[kalpik]

Its really good u have ur web space! Configuring PHP is a pain in the @ss!!!

The PHP manual is the best thing to learn PHP from. But be sure to read it from the begining otherwise maybe u wont get it!

Take care!

Kalpik

[tuxfan]

Thanks for the tip. I have just started reading it

[alib_i]

best php editor i've seen is PHP Edit
you can try that too ..

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alibi

[cheetah]

I am also a PHP-Lover

[siriusb]

Thanks to this thread, I'll have one more language in my resume. Let's PHP!

[Deep]

I strongly wont suggest replacing php.ini or httpd.conf

checkout my tutorial here....

http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15502

anyways back to the topic...

i had started php with ebook called teach urself php on 24 hrs...i read 3-4 chapters (till functions or classes i suppose) and then i couldnt stop myself so just started off with it and took help of manual and google..

if anyone needs some books on php then let me know, i have some stuff on my server, i can share..just PM if u need it

Deep

[kalpik]

Hey! Deep!

Was just trying to help! And make thinks as easy as possible! You can download and see for urself the httpd.conf and php.ini files i posted! Nothing illegal dude!

Anyway, good tutorial!

Kalpik

[Deep]

Originally Posted by kalpik

Hey! Deep!

Was just trying to help! And make thinks as easy as possible! You can download and see for urself the httpd.conf and php.ini files i posted! Nothing illegal dude!

Anyway, good tutorial!

Kalpik

oh, No, I didnt mean illegal stuff...

I just meant about version differences...

sometimes they make changes in ini and conf files in new versions...

so better to use default one and edit the settings if needed...

btw glad to hear that you liked the tutorial

Regards
Deep

[kalpik]

Hi!

My files were according to the latest version of Apache (2.0.54), PHP (5.0.4) and Mysql (4.1.12)

Well, have made a suggestion for ur tutorial! Check it out in your tutorial thread!

Kalpik

[Trinity]

the link to alib's suggested php editor is

http://www.waterproof.fr

try it out

[technovice]

Hi friends!
This one is an excellent thread..thanks to whoever created it!

[b]i want to know if a digit like forum can be created with php after learning php basics?
(i've heard of phpBB and used the freeBB site)
[\b]
i really (might i say desperately) want to learn how....

i'll be greatful if you people can help!
thanks

[kalpik]

The phpBB forum is NOT basic PHP! It includes sessioning, mysql, and god knows what not! Not an easy job if u ask me! Anyway, u can try!

[hafees]

i m studying PHP with mySQL. as i know C, PHP is easy to learn. I relly liked it. I have a bought a book that teaches PHP5 and mySQL5. PHP5 supports object oriented programming as any other OOP language.
i tried some free hosts that supports PHP. I found siteburg.com but it is ad supported (a forced ad on top of every page. ) Also they do not support PHP5 or mySQL 5.

If someone can suggest a truely free PHP host with
latest version that ll be really helpful

[kalpik]

Try http://www.5gigs.com