Beginning Data Driven PHP Pages??

[prima]

Hi

Can anyone direct me to a site or tutorial or code to develop Mysql/PHP pages. I have an entertainment agency and want to display our artists details - text/photo/links to multimedia on a template page - don't know where to start. I am a self taught designer and my life's work is http://www.prima-artists.com

Any suggeastions appreciated - please don't tell me to give up!!

Thanks to any respondents.

Tony [Prima]

[blastradius]

http://perl.about.com/cs/beginningphp/
http://www.spoono.com/php/tutorials/
http://ca3.php.net/tut.php
http://www.justphukit.com/php/beginn...-tutorials.php
Here are just a few beginner links. And no don't give up. Personally I would buy a good book on php but hey I just find that I learn better from a book. I'm completly self taught as far as web programming goes. Just don't get too frustrated and and have fun. And after you start having fun remember it is good for you to stop to eat and sleep.

[mpnev]

I suggest: http://www.phpbeginner.net

[redcircle]

www.webmonkey.com
www.devshed.com
www.phpbuilder.com

These are the best (in my opintion)

[prima]

Just to thank you all
blastradius
mpnev
redcircle
for these great references

Tony

prima

[compusolver]

Tony, If you've already learned a couple of programming languages, expect to be moving along nicely (with the help of a manual or two) within a couple of weeks.

(Now you may not like the rest of this, but its the harsh truth) Otherwise, I would think that most people would need to set aside at least three months to a year for learning server-side code and databases well enough to be effective for a business site.

And if that site is for your business, may I suggest you hire a professional web designer/programmer? And preferably one who is fairly local to you (that eliminates me here in Oklahoma) who has good samples of work to show and good references.

Tony, most websites that the owners did by themselves, look like the owners created them themselves - know what I mean? And while yours is far above average (for an owner-created site) a good web designer with marketing experience can help you a lot.

[Florena]

I have not delved into the language yet, just read 4 sample chapters, but Kevin Yank, technical editor for Sitepoint.com recently updated a book he wrote about a year ago entitled Creating Dynamic Databases with PHP and MySql, and it is getting rave reviews in the tech press. Available exclusively from Sitepoint for about $35. Ships in the US in 1-2 days. He gives code for several common needs including a shopping cart.

[paulhiles]

I bought that Kevin Yank book you mentioned, Florena... and it is very well written, although my expectations were pretty high before I even opened it to be honest with you!

My main stumbling block with PHP & MySQL is the command line prompt.. so setting up a database using that was not my idea of a good time! :)
As a consequence, I've postponed learning the language fully until I get a bit of breathing space in my workload. I have scanned later chapters, and it does look as though it gets a good deal more interesting as the book works you through building a sample application.

I also purchased the equivalent title 'for Dummies' by Janet Valade and that looks like a very good starter too. Each book comes with a CD loaded with the necessary software and sample applications.

Good luck to you... I've got to get back to my ASP pages! :c)

Paul

[compusolver]

in response to paulhiles:

Yeah, avoid the command line prompt at all costs! I still have nightmares about my first MySQL setup on a Windows machine that was half a continent away.

Of course if you're having to do the MySQL setup on your server, you're just in for a bad time - especially the first ten or so times!

But after its setup, you can use a nice graphical interface like PHPMYADMIN for maintenance chores.

When you compare all the code you've got to write in ASP/ODBC for database operations, you quickly fall in love with PHP/MySQL, its even easier to learn than ASP - and this is from a former diehard ASP coder!

[TrafficProducer]

You may find a coule of helpful links here:-

Freeware, Shareware. Perl, CGI, Java, web masters tools, etc. Small and quick shareware to download.

http://www.downloads.ukprofessionals.com/index.html

[brettgodfrey]

A really great book for PHP beginners is:

PHP and MySQL Web Development by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson published by SAMS cost aroun $50.00

As for setting up MySQL databases....
I always use MYSQL-FRONT. it is an easy to use gui with some realy neat features. As you set up a table using a mouse you can see the code at the bottom. This can then be cut and pasted into your php pages.

mysql-front was discontinued at one point (I made 4 backups as I could not imagine life without it!) but it seems to have been resurected at http://mysqlfront.sstienemann.de/

[xai]

There you can learn what you are looking for.
xai

[xai]

http://www.gnu.org
xai

[PXJ]

Originally Posted by prima

Any suggeastions appreciated - please don't tell me to give up!!

Don't try to reinvent the wheel. There are good and free scripts such as CMS's that will organize all that content for you.

I sound like a broken record by recomending CMS's in my posts but....

If you don't have the time or need to learn PHP and MYSQL there is no point in stressing yourself out just so you can organized your artists site.

For example: I am sure you would agree Vibe or Spin magazine would probably use a much more comprehensive site and artists database than you might need. Yet they use a free CMS that most 15 year old kids can learn.

Your time might be better spent learning how to run one of those PHP scripts than learning the language they were written in and building your own. The open source community has done all the work for you already. You can then use your site to learn PHP as you go along.