PHP is a programming language that has a relatively simple but versatile syntax, making it a great starting point for beginners. However, you might still be overwhelmed by the thought of implementing PHP code for the first time.
Fortunately, there are plenty of free resources you can use to learn PHP. Whether you watch a few YouTube tutorials or take an online course, you can quickly become familiar with this popular programming language.
In this post, we’ll introduce you to PHP and explain the benefits of learning it. Then, we’ll show you some easy ways to get started. Ready to dive in?
PHP is one of the most popular server-side programming languages used for web development today. With over 80% of websites using PHP including Facebook, Wikipedia, WordPress and more, learning PHP can open up many exciting career opportunities for you as a web developer.
In this comprehensive guide I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to learn PHP programming from scratch even if you’re a complete beginner with zero coding experience.
Why Learn PHP?
Here are some of the key benefits of learning PHP
-
In-Demand Language – PHP powers over 80% of today’s top websites. It’s used by leading companies like Facebook, Wikipedia, Mailchimp, WordPress and more. PHP developers are highly sought-after.
-
Easy to Learn – PHP has a simple and straightforward syntax that is easy to read and write. The learning curve to start building dynamic websites with PHP is relatively short compared to other languages.
-
Open Source – PHP is open-source and free to download. This helps lower the barrier to getting started.
-
Full-Stack Capabilities – PHP allows you to work on both the front-end and back-end aspects of web development. You can build the complete stack from server to UI.
-
Large Community – As one of the most popular languages, PHP has a large active community and tons of resources available for support. Finding solutions and tutorials is easy.
-
Cross-Platform – PHP code can run on different platforms like Windows, Linux and Mac OS. This makes development and deployment flexible across different servers.
-
Robust Ecosystem – PHP has a rich ecosystem of frameworks like Laravel and Symphony and content management systems like WordPress and Drupal that make development easier.
How to Learn PHP?
Now that you’re convinced of the benefits of learning PHP, let’s look at the step-by-step process to master PHP programming:
1. Learn PHP Basics
Start by getting a strong grasp of the fundamentals of PHP syntax and core concepts. Some key topics include:
- Variables and data types like strings, integers, booleans, arrays
- Operators like arithmetic, comparison, logical
- Control structures like if-else, switch, while loops
- Functions for reusing code
- Strings and string manipulation
- Working with forms and URLs
- Handling file I/O operations
I would recommend going through structured PHP tutorials like those on W3Schools and PHP Tutorial to build up this knowledge.
2. Work on Some Small Projects
Once you have a good handle on the basics, the best way to reinforce your learning is by practicing building some small projects.
Some ideas for beginner PHP projects include:
- A simple personal blog site
- An online diary web app
- Building a basic CMS
- Simple CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) web app
- Form validators and data filters
- A weather lookup web app
Working on such bite-sized projects will help you gain confidence in applying PHP in practice.
3. Learn PHP OOP Concepts
The next step is to expand your PHP knowledge into object oriented programming concepts like:
- Classes and objects
- Inheritance and polymorphism
- Visibility and encapsulation
- Abstract classes and interfaces
OOP allows you to write PHP code that is more modular, reusable and scalable. It is important for building larger and more complex PHP applications.
4. Work with PHP Frameworks & CMS
Once comfortable with basic PHP OOP, you can further expand your skills by learning popular PHP frameworks like:
-
Laravel – A powerful MVC framework for building web apps and APIs.
-
Symphony – Another robust framework for building enterprise-grade apps.
-
WordPress – The world’s most popular CMS that powers over 40% of sites.
-
Drupal – An open source CMS with strong community and support.
These frameworks provide tools and structure to quickly build professional PHP apps. They shorten your development time tremendously.
5. Practice With Real-World Projects
At this stage, you are ready to solidify your PHP skills by working on some real-world web projects for your portfolio.
Some ideas for good portfolio projects include:
- Developing a web app using Laravel or Symphony
- Building a blog or ecommerce site with WordPress
- Creating a business website with Drupal
- Contributing to open source PHP projects on GitHub
Having 3-5 solid PHP projects is a great way to demonstrate your skills and stand out when applying for PHP jobs.
6. Stay Up-To-Date
Finally, keep yourself updated with the latest PHP versions, frameworks, tools and best practices. The PHP language and ecosystem constantly evolves.
Read PHP blogs and forums regularly. Attend local meetups and conferences if possible. Continued learning is key for any successful developer.
PHP Learning Resources
Here are some helpful resources I recommend for mastering PHP programming:
-
W3Schools PHP Tutorial – Straightforward beginners PHP tutorial covering all core concepts.
-
PHP Tutorial Website – Comprehensive PHP tutorial for both basics and advanced topics.
-
PHP: The Right Way – A popular PHP best practices guide.
-
Laracasts – Top notch Laravel+PHP video tutorials and training series.
-
Udemy – One of the best marketplaces for PHP video courses on Laravel, WordPress, etc.
-
StackOverflow – A vibrant community to get answers to your PHP coding questions.
-
Laravel, WordPress and Drupal documentations – Official docs for these frameworks and CMS platforms.
-
PHP The Architect – A great PHP podcast for news and expert interviews.
Tips for Learning PHP Effectively
Here are some additional tips to help you master PHP programming efficiently:
-
Code Every Day – Practice coding daily even if for just 30 mins or 1 hour. Regular practice is key for learning any new skill.
-
Build Projects – Work on building your own PHP projects right from the start instead of just doing tutorials. Real-world coding experience is invaluable.
-
Take Notes – Keep notes on the core concepts and syntax as you learn. Come back and review them before starting any new project.
-
Troubleshoot Errors – Don’t avoid errors! Troubleshooting errors and bugs is a great way to debug and improve your coding skills.
-
Collaborate With Others – Find PHP developer friends you can learn together with and bounce questions off each other.
-
Ask For Help – Make use of PHP communities to get help when stuck. Don’t try to figure everything out alone.
-
Version Control – Use Git and GitHub to track your code changes so you can experiment freely without fear of losing work.
-
Don’t Get Overwhelmed – Break your learning into smaller achievable milestones and take it one step at a time without getting overwhelmed.
-
Have Patience – Becoming a good PHP developer takes time and dedication. Stay patient and keep practicing.
The key is to go step-by-step, reinforce your learning with projects, utilize online resources, and keep developing your coding skills.
Stick with it, implement the strategies outlined, and you’ll be well on your way to succeeding with one of the most in-demand web development skills today!
You’ve got this!
Review the PHP Manual
You can also learn the best practices of the PHP language straight from the creators themselves. In the official PHP manual, you’ll gain installation instructions, syntax advice, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from other emerging developers.
When you first open the manual, you can read an overview of PHP and what it does. This will also list compatible operating systems and databases:
Then, you can follow the installation and configuration guide. Depending on your operating system, you’ll see some requirements and best practices on how to get started:
One of the most helpful sections of this manual is the Language Reference. Here, you’ll find a list of outbound links about basic PHP syntax and how to start writing your own code:
Similar to online courses, you can read how-to guides about variables, functions, operators, and much more. You’ll even learn how to handle PHP errors when they happen:
This manual also gives you information about PHP security. You can read about possible attacks, as well as error reporting:
As you become more knowledgeable in PHP, you can keep this manual for future reference. For example, you might need to look up certain functions to implement them properly:
However, the PHP manual may not be the best option for beginners. Although its information is valuable and straightforward, it doesn’t include any interactive exercises. You’re likely better off using this as a reference during the learning process.
How PHP Works in WordPress
If you download WordPress, you’ll notice that many of the files are written in PHP. This is because PHP code is the framework for the WordPress software:
After creating a WordPress website, your site files are stored in a MySQL database. This contains all your website’s data, including your posts, plugins, and themes.
When someone clicks on your site link, their browser sends a request to your server. In WordPress, the server has to process PHP code to create HTML pages. Then, it can send the HTML code back to the visitor’s browser.
Similar to other programming languages, PHP has several versions. If you’re using an outdated version, you won’t receive important bug fixes or security updates.
As a WordPress user, it’s important to make sure to update your PHP version. WordPress recommends using PHP version 7.4 or greater. This can be the key to keeping your website fast and secure.
Other than updating the PHP version, some website owners may never touch this code. Since WordPress comes with built-in PHP files, you likely won’t need to learn this programming language to manage your website. That being said, there are many reasons why you may want to consider becoming an expert PHP coder.
PHP Programming Language Tutorial – Full Course
How do I learn PHP If I’m a beginner?
Tip: Our PHP tutorial will help you to learn the fundamentals of the PHP scripting language, from the basic to advanced topics step-by-step. If you’re a beginner, start with the basics and gradually move forward by learning a little bit every day. There are lot more things you can do with PHP. You can generate pages and files dynamically.
Where can I learn PHP for free?
Beginner or experienced, PHP Apprentice has good advice for you. The free online book is a work in progress, currently with twenty-two bite-sized pages mostly filled with examples of PHP in action. It’s a little like typical programming documentation, but a lot simpler and easier to grasp. 7. GeeksforGeeks PHP Tutorials
Should I learn WordPress If I’m a PHP developer?
If you’re learning WordPress too, keep an eye on what people are using with it. JavaScript and React are becoming more and more important tools for WordPress developers and adding those to your skill set could be a good next step once you’ve got some PHP experience under your belt.
