Want to learn PHP best to have xampp only on computer?

Hi,

I want to learn PHP to learn to code Wordpress plugins eventually. Is it best to install xampp on a computer with nothing else on it? Will it mess your computer up if you have other programs on it? Or can you learn to code php without the xampp? I found a website learn php dot org (can't post links) that simulates the localhost I guess because you can type into the window.

It may sound like a dumb question but I really do not have any spare money for a computer I might be able to find someone with an old one that they want to get rid of. In that case what would be the basic operating system I would need? RAM and any other requirements. Thanks

Jilly

Install xamp it the best.

join phpfreaks.com
http://www.phpfreaks.com/


use this website to learn php
http://www.w3schools.com/php/

html
http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp

Mysql
http://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp

That it lucky studys

you can use youtube to watch php video good fun.

use notepad++ to write code free and easy
https://notepad-plus-plus.org

Saying xampp is the best is slightly biased, and ultimately wrong. You should however be able to install xampp which contains everything you need to get started with HTML/CSS/PHP/MySQL and even FTP/Email if you want to dig into it a little deeper. First you need to decide what kind of PHP you want to learn, as there's Procedural PHP and there's Object Oriented PHP. While it's still the same language, there are different use cases, implementations, etc for both of them. The code is written completely differently.

If you're looking into creating wordpress plugins, I would definitely recommend the Object Oriented approach. Find a reputable source to learn from, don't just believe anything you see on a video.

Xampp is just fine, no need to over complicate it. You can use codeacademy to learn php. It takes you through vigorous tutorials while explaining what everything means.
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/php

I would also agree with the above user that Notepad ++ is optimal for learning code, but you can also take the easy route and try Sublime text.
https://www.sublimetext.com/

Xamp is the best my opionion used via
95% of php programmers.

downloaded nearly 10 million times , provided free
with phpmyadmin.

Xamp is a free lamp application well worth having.

you can put together all the xamp features but will never be as
fast as loading xamp.

Php is a easy language to learn fast in no time....

oop is best to learn as it newer and more easer to do large projects
very easy to learn.

to master php take time ok.

XAMPP is a good way to go, however i would suggest going the hard way and installing a Linux virtual machine... Why? Because this way you also learn how to manually install mysql databases, install additional php packages, harden the server components and all the shit you will eventually hit down the road...

If you just want to do php here and know xamp is best option.

but if you want to learn the in and outs of a lamp server it best you load each service separately, but saying that xamp got it all preinstalled just activate it on a easy to use menu.

Even though ports used by xmapp conflict with some applications, it is okay to have xmapp installed with other applications on the same computer you use regularly. You can change the port number. Besides that it is true you wont write code all the time.

blackice6666 said:

XAMPP is a good way to go, however i would suggest going the hard way and installing a Linux virtual machine... Why? Because this way you also learn how to manually install mysql databases, install additional php packages, harden the server components and all the shit you will eventually hit down the road...

Click to expand...

I would recommend this as well.
It becomes quite important for bigger projects to optimize the database, use custom configs for webserver (I would recommend nginx or litespeed, not apache) and my.cnf for MySQL etc.

Use Debian Lenny or FreeBSD as OS.