Looking for good intro programming training and theory
Thursday, 6 December 2007 @ 16:11So I understand the basic of HTML, the concepts of CSS (even if I am still a newb that can’t write it from scratch) and a master of design (;)). But Wade suggested I get some good intro theory training before diving straight into PHP.
Does anyone know of any good online courses or materials available for such a venture?
The only non-academic one that I am aware of locally is the one offered by New Horizons.
The MindCenter is offering Intro to Programming (2667) on January 9. The information is listed below:
Date: This class is scheduled to run January 9, 2008*
Place: The MindCenter
5505 S 900 E Plaza 1, Ste 225
Salt Lake City, Utah 84117
Course Length: 3 Days
FULL COURSE OUTLINE AVAILABLE AT http://www.mindcenter.net/uploads/2667.pdf
For more information or to REGISTER: 801-269-1300 or online http://www.mindcenter.net
I Googled “PHP training Salt Lake City” and ended up at this post. Per your suggestions, I looked into MindCenter and New Horizons, but there’s nothing scheduled in the immediate future. I even tried to check out a class at SLCC that seemed perfect (”Students learn to create E-Commerce solutions and Internet applications using XHTML, JavaScript, PHP, and MYSQL. Students will also be introduced to CGI and Java Applets.”) but it was cancelled due to lack of students.
My situation may be similar to vuel’s. I’m proficient in HTML, can stumble around CSS, but feel lost when it comes to PHP. I’m a web designer and everytime I turn around these days I’m running to PHP . I really want to learn this stuff.
I found an online tutorial site: http://apex.vtc.com/php.php For $30 a month you can go through as many tutorials as you can handle. Compared to these 2K training courses I was reading about, this seems too good to be true. But, they also sell CD versions of all their “classes” so maybe that’s where they make their money.
So, my question is: What do you think of the idea of online training to learn PHP? Is it a matter of discipline, which makes sitting through a 5-day course more practical in the long run?
I like this place. You should all go to lunch again. I’d come.
Not sure of what type of theory Wade suggested or what type of information you are looking for to start programming PHP. The recommendations I would make is to get a cheap book or go to zend.com and go through their tutorials as they are a good resource for new programmers. Another good avenue is to find someone who knows PHP well (most likely a lot of members here do) and see if you can trade some design work for PHP training, this works well as I am a horrible designer but a great coder. If you are looking for more certification type stuff you can checkout brainbench.com or even look at zend.com for their certification classes.
i would suggest getting some books first before spending the money on training classes, unless your work can fit the bill. I find that many classes are just going to follow what is popular in the latest books. Save some time and start with a great book first is mho.
Great advice, guys! Also, trading design for training sounds like a awesome idea. Anybody interested, just let me know.
So, I should start with a good book, then go from there, you say? Any specific book you can suggest would be appreciated. Heck, I’ll just go hang out at Barnes and Noble and see what’s out there. But, if you DO have a specific title that you know is decent, that would give me something to start with.
Here’s where I’m at. It’s not like I want to start programming from scratch, but like twice now I’ve had clients that needed help with some PHP shopping cart they got for free. I had no clue. Plus, a lot of the contract work for interface designers requires some knowledge of PHP.
So, when is everybody going to lunch again?
The only books I have on PHP are from WROX publishing and they are PHP4 for gaining a basic understanding of PHP, MYSQL, some apache configuration some basic setup. Of course PHP4 has been replaced by PHP5 and PHP5 is now more object oriented (still not 100% in mho). But the PHP5 book by rocks is the PHP5 for professionals still a good beginners book to get. There are some other cookbook types written by other companies that I have browsed. To save some money I would go to borders and see what they have along with your local library find the ones you want then purchase used ones off of amazon.
Speaking of books, I would like to remind everyone that UPHPU has a library of books that you can check out for free. We also have relationships with most major publishers and can usually get a copy of any book that interests you in exchange for a short review