PHP - writing content and code
Hi,
I am an ex C++ , VB, CSharp coder in a state of retreat from windows programming. I would like to move on web programming as that seems to be the in thing these days. I am very much interested in learning PHP to a professional level.
I have learned most of the language fundamentals using small example scripts created using a text editor (Textpad).
Now I would like to move on to more advanced things. What I would like to know is how does one create elaborate pages in PHP ?
It seems a bit overwhelming to hand code all that HTML. Normally if the page is a bit elaborate I would use an HTML editor like front page or dreamweaver. So how does one mix the scripting and the UI creation in PHP ? Are there IDEs which help you do that ? What do most professional PHP coders do ?
Regards
Sahir
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Sounds like you're talking about PHP templating to write HTML pages. Personally, that's quite easy and doesn't require any advanced coding. Here's a simple example. You can use header and footers, but I like to keep it all in one document. There are plenty of examples which vary. Just search around for them.
template.php
PHP Code:
<?php
if (!isset($rel)) {$rel = './';}
if (!isset($header)) {
$header = true;
?><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
<head>
<title><?php echo $pageTitle; ?></title>
<style type="text/css">
@import url(<?php echo $rel; ?>css/main.css);
</style>
</head>
<body>
<?php } else { ?>
</body>
</html>
<?php } ?>
Now, you would reference it as follows.
index.php
PHP Code:
<?php
$rel = './'; // this is your relative path
$pageTitle = 'Home Page';
include 'template.php';
?>
HTML content here
<?php include 'template.php'; ?>
When it comes to PHP IDEs...Take a look at this thread.
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PeejAvery
Sounds like you're talking about PHP templating to write HTML pages. Personally, that's quite easy and doesn't require any advanced coding. Here's a simple example. You can use header and footers, but I like to keep it all in one document. There are plenty of examples which vary.
Many thanks for the reply. My question was how does one integrate the "headers and footers" into the PHP code ? Suppose the page contains just 10 to 15 lines of php code and a large amount of HTML with lots of nested tables, images , css etc. Do people hand code all that or do they use some HTML editor like Frontpage/Expression Web to create the page and copy paste the relevant HTML into the PHP code between the ?> and <? tags ? So do you end up using two editors ? The PHP IDE to write/edit the PHP code and the HTML editor to create the HTML part ?
Basically, I am wodering if there are PHP IDEs that work roughly like how Visual Studio works for creating ASP.NET pages.
I have an old version of dreamweaver (8.0) which I purchased some three or four years ago but never installed. I have heard that Dreamweaver can be used for PHP code. How good is Dreamweaver as a PHP IDE ?
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sahir
Many thanks for the reply. My question was how does one integrate the "headers and footers" into the PHP code ? Suppose the page contains just 10 to 15 lines of php code and a large amount of HTML with lots of nested tables, images , css etc. Do people hand code all that or do they use some HTML editor like Frontpage/Expression Web to create the page and copy paste the relevant HTML into the PHP code between the ?> and <? tags ? So do you end up using two editors ? The PHP IDE to write/edit the PHP code and the HTML editor to create the HTML part ?
You would do headers and footers almost the same way I do one file. Instead of including the same one at both the top and bottom, you would include the header at the top, and the footer at the bottom. You wouldn't need the extra $header variable, but still need the relative path one. There are plenty of examples out there!
PHP is coded by hand...no ways around that. It isn't a visual language at all. It is a server-side language that outputs to a client for all its visuals.
You can design HTML using many different IDE's. That is very simple. Personally, I code everything by hand because that is the most precise and best way to fit web standards.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sahir
Basically, I am wodering if there are PHP IDEs that work roughly like how Visual Studio works for creating ASP.NET pages.
Nope.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sahir
I have an old version of dreamweaver (8.0) which I purchased some three or four years ago but never installed. I have heard that Dreamweaver can be used for PHP code. How good is Dreamweaver as a PHP IDE ?
Dreamweaver is for people who do not know HTML or CSS. It is a crutch, not a useful tool. Personally, I hate it! Note that it does not do PHP templating.
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sahir
I have an old version of dreamweaver (8.0) which I purchased some three or four years ago but never installed. I have heard that Dreamweaver can be used for PHP code. How good is Dreamweaver as a PHP IDE ?
I always use WAMP server to view my pages (with php).
http://www.wampserver.com/en/download.php
It also features a MySQL database. To use it:
1)Install it. Then putt your required files (your css,html, php, js, ... files) in this directory: c:\wamp\www\
2)Run WAMP server as admin.
3)Left click the icon in your toolbar. And select "Localhost".
It will then open your index.html or index.php or ... file in your browser. And you can browse your webpage on a localhost.
Hope this was of any help.
Greetz,
Dave
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PeejAvery
Personally, I code everything by hand because that is the most precise and best way to fit web standards.
Ah! I think that answers my question. Thanks.
Just one more doubt. What method do you use to control layout ? Do you use nested tables or a lot of DIV tags with absolute positioning ?
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Neither. I do use <div> tags with CSS, but almost never do I touch absolute positioning. Doing that will give you no control over how the clients with different resolutions see your pages.
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Sahir,
welcome to PHP world. I hope you enjoy and stay.
I'll write some brief notes of what and how I do professional webdev with PHP:
- When you get the idea behind web programming and PHP, search about MVC in PHP. MVC is the industry defacto standard for building web applications. ASP.net uses MVC.
- Use a solid PHP framework. Increases production, stability and has a community you can run for answers.
- Develop with magic_quotes OFF, register_globals OFF and error_reporting = E_ALL. If a framework doens't work with those settings, throw it in the garbage.
- Again on MVC, if you do it the right way you can concentrate on the Model and Controller parts and optionally let a designer do the layout. MVC separates data/business logic (model), app logic (controller) and the layout (view).
- Don't do JavaScript by hand. Use a framework. I highly recommend jQuery.
- When I create a new project (site) create 2 folders for it:
- /sitename/docs <- holds all documents, designer raw files (PNG, PSD, JPG, FLV), researches, contract, SQL schema and backup.
- /sitename/www <- holds the actual website files.
- Use Version Control Software even if you are a one-man-army. Recomend modern VCS like git, mercurial and bazaar (i use this).
Ok let me stop here, just the basics. I might have missed some important points. Can't think now.
Have fun. :wave:
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Dont bother with wysiwyg editors for html, most of them just generate a lot of overhead code.
For the php editor I would recommend Eclipse with the php and html plugin.
There you will have coloured code to check if your syntax is ok.
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bubu
[*]Use a solid PHP framework. Increases production, stability and has a community you can run for answers.
Hi Bubu,
Many thanks. I did not know about PHP frameworks. That sounds promising. What is a good framework I can use ?
Re: PHP - writing content and code
Some frameworks go so far that they actually hide PHP from you. So make sure you mastered PHP before you try a framework.
I'd advice you to find a simple framework you like.
Avoid these for now (not necessarily for ever):
- CakePHP: I like this one, but don't use it. It's magic! Actually it's too magic.
- Zend Framework: This is currently a piece-o-crap. They rushed its development. The result is some pseudo-modular crap you must join yourself to make something out of it. And the documentation is a comedy. If you like modularity go with Pear.
- PRADO: great but complex.
- Symfony: High learning curve.
- Any framework that tries to mimic Ruby on Rails. They pretend to be too magical. The only good framework from this family is CakePHP.
- Any frameworks that attempts to copy Java framework. Why try to make a tiger (PHP) act like a whale (Java)?
- Any framework with "Enterprise" on its introduction text. They are often too complex.
- Frameworks heavily based on code generation. They force you to do things in one way, their way. Only take this path when you're a Master Yoda of PHP.
I'd recommend for you:
- Akelos
- CodeIgniter (despite not liking it very much for my very own dumb reasons)
- LightVC: Very simple framework to learn MVC with.
- Your own mini MVC framework. Take this path if you have the NIH syndrome.
And please guys, don't start a flamewar. This is my personal-self-mine opinion on frameworks, considering his position and I'm giving it because he asked.
