[UPHPU] OALUG PHP Workshop

[cole at colejoplin.com]

Quoting Wade Preston Shearer <lists at wadeshearer.com>:

> What are the group's thoughts on doing this for our January meeting?

I think this could be fine. I'll even volunteer to help present. The  
big question is what is really appropriate to present in that amount  
of time, for beginner to intermediate. Keyword: workshop. I'd like to  
know what their group wants, a PHP technology review, or a serious  
intro to PHP the language. They are both very different presentations.  
What's the goal?

Tackling OOP, security, code management, databases and frameworks are  
easily hours unto each one. And the concepts are language-independent,  
well beyond PHP itself. This would be a broad-sweeping discussion on  
PHP peripheral technology. Or would they rather focus in on PHP  
basics, and have a hands-on lab at the end? For example:

a) Install/Settings - like php.ini settings, install of a db like  
MySQL, Apache settings, all assuming strictly under Linux

b) Basic Language Syntax - variables, types, operators, etc.

c) Flow Control - loops, switches, conditionals

d) Arrays - create, iteration, multi-dimensional

e) Strings - there are tons of functions and concepts here

f) Forms - preparation and processing POST/GET/SESSION/COOKIE

g) Functions and Classes - more language structure, but brings up code  
style, concentrate on PHP4, or concentrate on PHP5-OOP?

....ok, a few heads might start smoking. I'm just trying to make a  
point about the difference in presentation material and goals. Do they  
want to see Zend in action, or do they want to write script to  
form/post/db_insert? In principle, I don't mind helping their group.  
What does everyone else think?

-- Cole