A dynamic site using PHP

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	Author : M@teo21 Difficulty : Nb of visits : 64 694 More information Creation : : On 06/26/2007 10:23:18 AM Last modification: : On 08/27/2008 10:24:23 PM Progress : 40% License : Unauthorized copy 1 Comment Alert Validators Display the entire tutorial

Why do all websites use PHP now? How useful is it? Actually what is PHP???

Relax, there is no need to worry dear newbies, I'm here to give you the answer, so just calm down
Just like we do with all lessons on this site, we will start from scratch: you know nothing about PHP, I am here to teach you EVERYTHING about it.
What is important is to read all chapters entirely in the order they appear. The rest comes by itself and you will soon be surprised by what you are able to do!

• The basics of PHP
• The database
• The full power of PHP
• PHP: Welcome to the next level...
• Appendix

• ---

  Part 1 : The basics of PHP

  We need to start from somewhere, so let's get down to business...
  
  In this first part, let's take our time and discover PHP in a soft way
  
  
  • 
    
    1) Introducing PHP
    
    • What is PHP?
    • Differences between HTML and PHP
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    2) A useful program: WAMP
    
    • Why do I need this program?
    • Install WAMP
    • Configure WAMP
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    3) Getting started with PHP
    
    • PHP tags
    • Displaying text
    • Comments
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    4) Variables
    
    • What is a variable?
    • Assign a value to a variable and display output
    • Working with numbers
    • Passing on variables between pages
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    5) Functions
    
    • Creating your own functions
    • Transform PHP into a speaking clock
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    6) Conditions
    
    • The basic structure: If......Else
    • An alternative step: Switch
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    7) Keeping intruders at bay
    
    • Creating a protected page
  • 
    
    8) Loops
    
    • A simple loop : While
    • A more complex loop: FOR
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    9) Arrays
    
    • Indexed arrays
    • Associative arrays
    • Quiz
  
  

• ---

  Part 2 : The database

  This is a must in PHP.
  • 
    
    1) Introducing MySQL
    
    • What is that???
    • Structure of a database
    • Please, I have a question!
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    2) PhpMyAdmin
    
    • Creating a table
    • Modifying a table
    • Other operations
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    3) Reading data
    
    • Connecting to the Database
    • Retrieving data
    • Selection criteria
    • Counting the number of entries
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    4) Writing data
    
    • Adding data
    • Modifying data
    • Deleting data
    • Quiz
  • 
    
    5) Practical
    
    • Creating a Mini-Chat
  
  

• ---

  Part 3 : The full power of PHP

  Now, it's nothing but fun!
  All the power of PHP is within your reach! Just enjoy!
  • 
    
    1) The include function
    
    • Basics
    • Make good use of the include function
  • 
    
    2) Have fun with variables
    
    • Concatenation
    • Very useful tools
    • Variable variables
  • 
    
    3) Filling out forms with PHP
    
    • How to use a form
    • The form's elements
    • Small exercise
    • File sending
  • 
    
    4) Practical: a Guest book
    
    • Creating a guest book
  • 
    
    5) Date and time
    
    • Date function
    • The timestamp
  • 
    
    6) Practical: news on your website
    
    • Making the news script
  • 
    
    7) The superglobal variables
    
    • Introducing the superglobals
    • Sessions
    • Cookies
  • 
    
    8) Practical: number of guests online
    
    • Creating an access counter
  • 
    
    9) Reading and writing in a file
    
    • CHMOD
    • Opening and closing the file
    • Reading and writing in the file
  
  

• ---

  Part 4 : PHP: Welcome to the next level...

  You thought you knew everything? Well, you were wrong...
  Now you'll see what PHP is made of!
  • 
    
    1) Arrays II : the Return
    
    • Exploring an array
    • Searching an array
    • Transforming a string into an array
  • 
    
    2) Creating images with PHP
    
    • Activating the GD library
    • Image creation basics
    • Text and color
    • Drawing a shape
    • Even more powerful functions
  • 
    
    3) Regular expressions (Part 1/2)
    
    • Where should I use a Regex?
    • Simple queries
    • Character classes
    • Quantifiers
  • 
    
    4) Regular expressions (Part 2/2)
    
    • A meta characters story
    • The abbreviated classes
    • Building a complete Regex
    • Capturing and replacing
  
  

• ---

  Part 5 : Appendix

  In the appendix, you will find several interesting things related to PHP that I couldn't put into the tutorial.
  You'd rather look at the appendix while reading the tutorial, in order to have a break, instead of looking at them at the end.
  • 
    
    1) Writing legible code
    
    • Clear names
    • Indent your code
    • An accurately commented code
  • 
    
    2) Use the PHP documentation!
    
    • Access the documentation
    • A function's presentation
  • 
    
    3) Help! My script is crashing!
    
    • Most common errors
    • Treating SQL errors
    • Some more unusual errors
  • 
    
    4) Note for the Regex
    
    • A Regex structure
    • Characters classes
    • Quantifiers
    • Meta characters
    • Abbreviated classes
    • Capturing and replacing
    • Options
  
  

We are at the end of our chapter. I wanted to bring you softly to understand PHP.

I tried to explain the relationship between the client and the server. It may seem a bit weird as a starting point but I am sure this will be useful for you.
If you feel a little bit confused, don't worry: it won't be of any consequence for the rest of the lesson. The main thing was to read this chapter so that if somebody asks you about the "client/server relationship", you will not feel uneasy!


You wonder about what's next? Relax! There is nothing difficult. I know you like exercices: don't worry it is scheduled in the program. I want you first to practice, so that I can see what you are capable of as we get along .

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Creation : : On 06/26/2007 10:23:18 AM
Last modification: : On 08/27/2008 10:24:23 PM
Progress : 40%
License : Unauthorized copy

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