Install

[John Obrien]

am a 70 year old retiree trying to learn PHP on my own. I have a few
questions to get started with.

I bought the book "Sams Teach yourself PHP in 24 hours."

The first step says to install PHP on my computer or an computer.
Fine!
I go to the PHP windows install manual and I quote from the manual
Quote

First, install your selected HTTP (web) server on your system, and make
sure that it works. Then proceed with one of the following install
types.

Unquote

I do not know what this means for sure.

I have two windpws machines. One i is a lap top and the other is a
desk top . uth have 1 gig men.
Do I run a machine as a web server?
How do I get the web server?
Do they cost money?
Are there instructions?
Please give me some information.
I have 40 years in electronics and computers, but this is going to be a
new experience for me

[Krustov]

<comp.lang.php>
<John Obrien>
<28 Nov 2006 17:23:39 -0800>
<11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups. com>

I bought the book "Sams Teach yourself PHP in 24 hours."

I bought the same book and now that i'm well past the php basics my
personal opinion of it is that its a pile of steaming poo .

As a php newbie it didnt tell me what i wanted to know and lots of stuff
it does tell you is the sort of stuff you will never use .

The first step says to install PHP on my computer or an computer.

Do a google search for XAMMP as this will install apache/php/mysql on
your windows pc without the need to edit any config files .

http://localhost

Use the above url in your browser regardless if you are online or
offline , Be sure and copy your website folder(s) to the /xammp/htdocs/
folder on your hard disk or it wont work .

e.g.

/xammp/htdocs/yourwebsitefolder

To roughly sum up , Your windows pc will now work in the exact same way
as your php webspace .
--
www.phpwhois.co.uk

[Al Kolff]

"Krustov" <[e-mail] in message
news:MP************************@news.newsreader.co m...

<comp.lang.php>
<John Obrien>
<28 Nov 2006 17:23:39 -0800>
<11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups. com>

>I bought the book "Sams Teach yourself PHP in 24 hours."

I bought the same book and now that i'm well past the php basics my
personal opinion of it is that its a pile of steaming poo .

As a php newbie it didnt tell me what i wanted to know and lots of stuff
it does tell you is the sort of stuff you will never use .

>The first step says to install PHP on my computer or an computer.

Do a google search for XAMMP as this will install apache/php/mysql on
your windows pc without the need to edit any config files .

http://localhost

Use the above url in your browser regardless if you are online or
offline , Be sure and copy your website folder(s) to the /xammp/htdocs/
folder on your hard disk or it wont work .

e.g.

/xammp/htdocs/yourwebsitefolder

To roughly sum up , Your windows pc will now work in the exact same way
as your php webspace .
--
www.phpwhois.co.uk

That is for sure the easiest way to start. Then Go to any of a number of
sites for scripts and tutorials.

webmonkey.com and phpfreaks.com both helped me get started. Sourceforge.net
is one great place to get scripts that you can use, modify or investigate
for ideas
Don't over look google and doing code searchs to find code that you can use
in your scripts.

God bless,
al

[Kimmo Laine]

"John Obrien" <jo**********@gmail.comwrote in message
news:11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegro ups.com...

am a 70 year old retiree trying to learn PHP on my own. I have a few
questions to get started with.

I bought the book "Sams Teach yourself PHP in 24 hours."

The first step says to install PHP on my computer or an computer.
Fine!
I go to the PHP windows install manual and I quote from the manual
Quote

First, install your selected HTTP (web) server on your system, and make
sure that it works. Then proceed with one of the following install
types.

Unquote

I do not know what this means for sure.

Php is usually used side-by-side with a web server. There is also a version
of php that runs on it's own, but the usual method is to call the programs
or scripts via a web server. This means that you should install an http
server to your machine. There are free http servers you can install to your
own machine, such as the Apache web server (http://httpd.apache.org/). But
if you don't want to go thru all the trouble, you can get the whole service
from a hosting company, but that'll cost something. The expenses usually
aren't that high, but if you are a Do-It-Yourself man, you can certainly do
it yourself for free.

I have two windpws machines. One i is a lap top and the other is a
desk top . uth have 1 gig men.
Do I run a machine as a web server?

Yes, a web server can be installed and configured to any normal computer and
then accessed via the localhost ip. Once configured properly, the address
127.0.0.1 will start serving web pages just like accessing google.com or
wikipedia.org.

How do I get the web server?

You can download one from http://httpd.apache.org/ for example.

Do they cost money?

There are both commercial and free web server software. The "de facto"
server Apache is free.

Are there instructions?

Certainly, the documentation: http://httpd.apache.org/docs/
You may be particularly interested in the document "Using Apache with
Microsoft Windows": http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/platform/windows.html

Please give me some information.
I have 40 years in electronics and computers, but this is going to be a
new experience for me

I find it very inspiring and admirable that even after retiring you're still
willing to learn new things.

--
"Ohjelmoija on organismi joka muuttaa kofeiinia koodiksi" - lpk
http://outolempi.net/ahdistus/ - Satunnaisesti päivittyvä nettisarjis
sp**@outolempi.net | rot13(xv***@bhgbyrzcv.arg)

[Bart op de grote markt]

Do they cost money?

There are both commercial and free web server software. The "de facto"
server Apache is free.

And this is the most used and best-supported server. So, certainly no
need to pay for commercial stuff.

[Geoff Berrow]

Message-ID: <11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups. comfrom
John Obrien contained the following:

>am a 70 year old retiree trying to learn PHP on my own.

Well you are not on your own any more, are you? :-)

I used to run an Introduction to PHP course. You may find the course
notes useful. www.ckdog.co.uk/phpcourse (first five files) You can
steamroller through the course by copying and pasting the code examples
then following the exercises.

As well as the recommendation to use a bundle for testing (e.g. xammp )
get one of the free note pad replacements too. Notepad2
(http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html) is small and lightweight
enough to keep a copy in your working folder and Notepad++
http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/about.php has a useful tabbed
screen (it's what I use now). These editors have syntax highlighting,
line numbering, find and replace and numerous other features that will
make debugging easier.


--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[John Obrien]

Thank you very much....
I did exactly as you said and I got it installed.
" Be sure and copy your website folder(s) to the /xammp/htdocs/

folder on your hard disk or it wont work ."

I used localhost in firefox to open the package.
I am reading the things I see there. But I have a question.
When I want to enter and test some code, I am not sure of which
screen to use. I have only had it installed for 10 minutes, but if
you could point me to the write direction.
In the above quote from you, my website folders are the stuff I am
developing, right?
I went to the demo section of the page and started reading, however,
I am still not sure where the "input screen is located"
Again, thank you for you excellent help

Krustov wrote:

<comp.lang.php>
<John Obrien>
<28 Nov 2006 17:23:39 -0800>
<11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups. com>

I bought the book "Sams Teach yourself PHP in 24 hours."

I bought the same book and now that i'm well past the php basics my
personal opinion of it is that its a pile of steaming poo .

As a php newbie it didnt tell me what i wanted to know and lots of stuff
it does tell you is the sort of stuff you will never use .

The first step says to install PHP on my computer or an computer.

Do a google search for XAMMP as this will install apache/php/mysql on
your windows pc without the need to edit any config files .

Be sure and copy your website folder(s) to the /xammp/htdocs/
folder on your hard disk or it wont work .

Use the above url in your browser regardless if you are online or
offline , Be sure and copy your website folder(s) to the /xammp/htdocs/
folder on your hard disk or it wont work .

e.g.

/xammp/htdocs/yourwebsitefolder

To roughly sum up , Your windows pc will now work in the exact same way
as your php webspace .
--
www.phpwhois.co.uk

[John Obrien]

Thanks for you information. Now I am going to settle down and lean
what I just installed. Do you recommand any books?
Al Kolff wrote:

"Krustov" <[e-mail] in message
news:MP************************@news.newsreader.co m...

<comp.lang.php>
<John Obrien>
<28 Nov 2006 17:23:39 -0800>
<11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups. com>

I bought the book "Sams Teach yourself PHP in 24 hours."

I bought the same book and now that i'm well past the php basics my
personal opinion of it is that its a pile of steaming poo .

As a php newbie it didnt tell me what i wanted to know and lots of stuff
it does tell you is the sort of stuff you will never use .

The first step says to install PHP on my computer or an computer.

Do a google search for XAMMP as this will install apache/php/mysql on
your windows pc without the need to edit any config files .

http://localhost

Use the above url in your browser regardless if you are online or
offline , Be sure and copy your website folder(s) to the /xammp/htdocs/
folder on your hard disk or it wont work .

e.g.

/xammp/htdocs/yourwebsitefolder

To roughly sum up , Your windows pc will now work in the exact same way
as your php webspace .
--
www.phpwhois.co.uk

That is for sure the easiest way to start. Then Go to any of a number of
sites for scripts and tutorials.

webmonkey.com and phpfreaks.com both helped me get started. Sourceforge.net
is one great place to get scripts that you can use, modify or investigate
for ideas
Don't over look google and doing code searchs to find code that you can use
in your scripts.

God bless,
al

[John Obrien]

This has helped me so much. I booked marked the material you
suggested.
I think this is going to take me several months
excellent post
Kimmo Laine wrote:

"John Obrien" <jo**********@gmail.comwrote in message
news:11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegro ups.com...

am a 70 year old retiree trying to learn PHP on my own. I have a few
questions to get started with.

I bought the book "Sams Teach yourself PHP in 24 hours."

The first step says to install PHP on my computer or an computer.
Fine!
I go to the PHP windows install manual and I quote from the manual
Quote

First, install your selected HTTP (web) server on your system, and make
sure that it works. Then proceed with one of the following install
types.

Unquote

I do not know what this means for sure.

Php is usually used side-by-side with a web server. There is also a version
of php that runs on it's own, but the usual method is to call the programs
or scripts via a web server. This means that you should install an http
server to your machine. There are free http servers you can install to your
own machine, such as the Apache web server (http://httpd.apache.org/). But
if you don't want to go thru all the trouble, you can get the whole service
from a hosting company, but that'll cost something. The expenses usually
aren't that high, but if you are a Do-It-Yourself man, you can certainly do
it yourself for free.

I have two windpws machines. One i is a lap top and the other is a
desk top . uth have 1 gig men.
Do I run a machine as a web server?

Yes, a web server can be installed and configured to any normal computer and
then accessed via the localhost ip. Once configured properly, the address
127.0.0.1 will start serving web pages just like accessing google.com or
wikipedia.org.

How do I get the web server?

You can download one from http://httpd.apache.org/ for example.

Do they cost money?

There are both commercial and free web server software. The "de facto"
server Apache is free.

Are there instructions?

Certainly, the documentation: http://httpd.apache.org/docs/
You may be particularly interested in the document "Using Apache with
Microsoft Windows": http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/platform/windows.html

Please give me some information.
I have 40 years in electronics and computers, but this is going to be a
new experience for me

I find it very inspiring and admirable that even after retiring you're still
willing to learn new things.

--
"Ohjelmoija on organismi joka muuttaa kofeiinia koodiksi" - lpk
http://outolempi.net/ahdistus/ - Satunnaisesti päivittyvä nettisarjis
sp**@outolempi.net | rot13(xv***@bhgbyrzcv.arg)

[John Obrien]

I got the course notes.
I got the word pad
I am trying to learn the basic of what I just downloaded.
Plenty to read and absorbe.
Thanks....
Geoff Berrow wrote:

Message-ID: <11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups. comfrom
John Obrien contained the following:

am a 70 year old retiree trying to learn PHP on my own.

Well you are not on your own any more, are you? :-)

I used to run an Introduction to PHP course. You may find the course
notes useful. www.ckdog.co.uk/phpcourse (first five files) You can
steamroller through the course by copying and pasting the code examples
then following the exercises.

As well as the recommendation to use a bundle for testing (e.g. xammp )
get one of the free note pad replacements too. Notepad2
(http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html) is small and lightweight
enough to keep a copy in your working folder and Notepad++
http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/about.php has a useful tabbed
screen (it's what I use now). These editors have syntax highlighting,
line numbering, find and replace and numerous other features that will
make debugging easier.


--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[Geoff Berrow]

Message-ID: <11**********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups .comfrom
John Obrien contained the following:

>I got the course notes.
I got the word pad
I am trying to learn the basic of what I just downloaded.
Plenty to read and absorbe.

Take it steady.

If you've installed xammp you'll find a folder on your hard drive in the
xammp directory called htdocs. Create a folder in there (using windows
explorer) and use that folder for your test files.

Assuming you create a folder called tutorial and put a file in there
called hello_world.php then you check it works by putting
http://localhost/tutorial/hello_world.php into the address bar of your
browser

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[John Obrien]

I have been using the manuals and typing samples in the text editor and
saving the infor as a php file. They display blank.
Here is a sentence
Now you have finished your script save it as phpinfo.php and upload it
to your server in the normal way. Now, using your browser, go the the
URL of the script. If it has worked (and if PHP is installed on your
server) you should get a huge page full of the information about PHP on
your server.
I think I do not know how to "upload it to my server in the nornal way
I was looking for something like front page or dreamweaver.
I got my sample script.
I named it myfirstphp.php
I opened my XMMA using localhost
I when to file, open and found the file in the place you suggested.
The display is blank.

<html>
<head>
<title>My first PHP page</title>
</head>

<body>

<?php
print "Hello World";

?>

</body>

</html>

I think I do not understand the statement upload it in the normal
manner.

Krustov wrote:

<comp.lang.php>
<John Obrien>
<28 Nov 2006 17:23:39 -0800>
<11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups. com>

I bought the book "Sams Teach yourself PHP in 24 hours."

I bought the same book and now that i'm well past the php basics my
personal opinion of it is that its a pile of steaming poo .

As a php newbie it didnt tell me what i wanted to know and lots of stuff
it does tell you is the sort of stuff you will never use .

The first step says to install PHP on my computer or an computer.

Do a google search for XAMMP as this will install apache/php/mysql on
your windows pc without the need to edit any config files .

http://localhost

Use the above url in your browser regardless if you are online or
offline , Be sure and copy your website folder(s) to the /xammp/htdocs/
folder on your hard disk or it wont work .

e.g.

/xammp/htdocs/yourwebsitefolder

To roughly sum up , Your windows pc will now work in the exact same way
as your php webspace .
--
www.phpwhois.co.uk

[John Obrien]

I got this far
<html>
<head>
<title>My first PHP page</title>
</head>

<body>

<?php
print "Hello World";

?>

</body>

</html>

I saved it as a PHP file.
The problem is I do not know how to "upload it as I would normally do
I have the XAMPP package.
How do you get this script to the package like you would with say
dreamweaver or front page?

Geoff Berrow wrote:

Message-ID: <11*********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups. comfrom
John Obrien contained the following:

am a 70 year old retiree trying to learn PHP on my own.

Well you are not on your own any more, are you? :-)

I used to run an Introduction to PHP course. You may find the course
notes useful. www.ckdog.co.uk/phpcourse (first five files) You can
steamroller through the course by copying and pasting the code examples
then following the exercises.

As well as the recommendation to use a bundle for testing (e.g. xammp )
get one of the free note pad replacements too. Notepad2
(http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html) is small and lightweight
enough to keep a copy in your working folder and Notepad++
http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/about.php has a useful tabbed
screen (it's what I use now). These editors have syntax highlighting,
line numbering, find and replace and numerous other features that will
make debugging easier.


--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[Geoff Berrow]

Message-ID: <sl*******************@murphy.redbrick.dcu.iefro m David
Gillen contained the following:

>How do you get this script to the package like you would with say
dreamweaver or front page?

You need to save this file to, assuming you installed xampp to the default
location, C:\Program Files\xampp\htdocs\helloworld.php, and then open your web
browser and point it to http://localhost/helloworld.php

I hope this helps. As your machine is essentially the server, you do not need
to upload to it.

Alternatively, if he /has/ php enabled webspace he can upload it to is
space and access it like he would any other file. He needs to realise
that he only needs to install php and apache locally if he wishes to
develop offline.

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[Geoff Berrow]

Message-ID: <11*********************@j44g2000cwa.googlegroups. comfrom
John Obrien contained the following:

>I think I do not know how to "upload it to my server in the nornal way
I was looking for something like front page or dreamweaver.

If you are testing locally with xampp you don't upload it, you simply
save the file in the relevant place.

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[John Obrien]

Gotit. Thank you
Geoff Berrow wrote:

Message-ID: <11*********************@j44g2000cwa.googlegroups. comfrom
John Obrien contained the following:

I think I do not know how to "upload it to my server in the nornal way
I was looking for something like front page or dreamweaver.

If you are testing locally with xampp you don't upload it, you simply
save the file in the relevant place.

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[John Obrien]

Got it now. Thanks
Geoff Berrow wrote:

Message-ID: <11**********************@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups .comfrom
John Obrien contained the following:

I got the course notes.
I got the word pad
I am trying to learn the basic of what I just downloaded.
Plenty to read and absorbe.

Take it steady.

If you've installed xammp you'll find a folder on your hard drive in the
xammp directory called htdocs. Create a folder in there (using windows
explorer) and use that folder for your test files.

Assuming you create a folder called tutorial and put a file in there
called hello_world.php then you check it works by putting
http://localhost/tutorial/hello_world.php into the address bar of your
browser

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[Areric]

John,

You asked if anyone recommended any books. My suggestion is to pick up
a book called "PHP and MySQL Web Development" it's also put out by SAMS
publishing but covers a much broader range of topics from novice all
the way to a mid-intermediate level.

It doesn't get much into the object oriented stuff in PHP (at least my
copy which is a first edition doesnt) but it gives you some good
grounding in common things people want to do. Also i might be wrong
about the OO as the most recent edition is 3rd i believe.

Anyway heres a link to amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Deve...e=UTF8&s=books
Good Luck!

[John Obrien]

Got it. Thanks
Geoff Berrow wrote:

Message-ID: <sl*******************@murphy.redbrick.dcu.iefro m David
Gillen contained the following:

How do you get this script to the package like you would with say
dreamweaver or front page?

You need to save this file to, assuming you installed xampp to the default
location, C:\Program Files\xampp\htdocs\helloworld.php, and then open your web
browser and point it to http://localhost/helloworld.php

I hope this helps. As your machine is essentially the server, you do not need
to upload to it.

Alternatively, if he /has/ php enabled webspace he can upload it to is
space and access it like he would any other file. He needs to realise
that he only needs to install php and apache locally if he wishes to
develop offline.

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/