Building a PHP Site: Getting Started Help

[hexxd]

Hi,
I am looking to write a website that uses accounts and etc. (for which PHP and MySQL are required), and I was wondering about what I need to get started (ie. server-wise, software-wise). Also if anyone has a decent tutorial on writing a website like this I would greatly appreciate it.

[NogDog]

What is your general experience level in programming and database design in general and PHP specifically?

[ichsie]

Learning can be costy. If you are just looking to get things done in one single project, try leveraging existing platforms / frameworks.

Either wordpress or google open id can give you a head start.

[ebar]

be prepared if you are going to be doing it from scratch and this is your first ballgame in php to spend atleast 3 -6 months of straight work. If you know nothing what so ever about programming and this is the first outside of html and css then you will need a 6mo to 1yr atleast.

[ebar]

I personally started with a book because i like books you can write in them and don't use up all your ink in your printer. Any book will work but make sure it has many different types of examples of scripts, databases.. etc.. The one i started with was very much like this one
Learning PHP & MySQL: Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Database-Driven Web Sites Michele E. Davis Jon A. Phillips(Authors)

After you have gotten started with the book then you can start looking around the internet for different things to help you out in what you are wanting to achieve.

[hexxd]

Thanks for the advice on the book. However, in terms of a server, do I need one to start writing the site, and if so, any advice?

[Derokorian]

You can start by in stalling something such as WAMP, or XAMPP on your local pc to start working on code and database and see if you can get things working before you go and pay for a server.

[alice43]

hey nice thread..thanks for sharing this useful information