How I Learned PHP in One Day

Learning PHP in a day may sound ambitious, but for my specific needs, it was achievable. My primary goal wasn’t to become a PHP expert but to gain enough understanding to review backend code effectively. This skill helps me identify logic issues faster, like ensuring error messages display correctly under specific conditions. Checking an if/else function directly in the code can be quicker than setting up an environment and testing via the application interface.

PHP for Beginners: Manage Expectations

If you’re aiming to become a PHP Developer, learning the basics in a day is just the start. PHP, like any programming language, requires consistent practice to master. Think of it as learning a new foreign language—you’ll need patience, effort, and regular practice to achieve fluency.

My Approach to Learning PHP

I explored several tutorials online, but not all of them worked for me. Some were too lengthy and tedious, while others were overly simplistic. After some trial and error, I discovered that YouTube tutorials were the best option. They allowed me to skip easy sections, adjust playback speed, and focus on the most relevant content.

One great YouTube tutorial covered all the basics of PHP in a single video. It was interactive, easy to follow, and perfect for beginners.

Tip

Take notes while learning. Writing down key concepts and steps can reinforce your understanding and help you learn more effectively.

Quick Notes on Running PHP Files in Browsers

When I started experimenting with PHP code, I hit a common hurdle: PHP files don’t run in a browser by default. If you’re using PHP 5.4 or newer, this problem is easy to solve thanks to its built-in web server.

Follow these steps to run PHP files in your browser:

1. Open a terminal and navigate to your application directory:

cd path/to/your/app

2. Start the built-in server:

php -S 127.0.0.1:8000

3. Open your PHP files in the browser at http://127.0.0.1:8000.

Alternatively, you can set up a simple router to handle requests more dynamically:

<?php
// router.php
if (preg_match('/\.(?:png|jpg|jpeg|gif)$/', $_SERVER["REQUEST_URI"])) {
    return false; // Serve static files as-is.
} else {
    require_once('resolver.php'); // Process PHP files.
}
?>

Run the command with the router:

php -S 127.0.0.1:8000 router.php

Final Thoughts

Learning PHP in a day isn’t about mastering the language; it’s about laying the groundwork. If your goal is to review code or handle basic backend tasks, focusing on practical exercises and tutorials will get you there quickly.

Remember, practice and consistency are key to mastering PHP over time, so keep experimenting and building projects as you go.

Got questions? Share them in the comments below. Have fun coding and exploring the world of PHP!