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Introduction to PHP with MySQL (4 days)

This four day PHP course introduces web designers to the PHP programming language and the delivery of dynamic content for the web. There is a focus on connecting to MySQL databases via PHP and working with live content.

This PHP course includes

• 4 days trainer led in small groups
• Your own printed course manual
• Course files & exercises to take away
• Choice of PC or Mac for training
• Professional environment with high spec computers
• Refreshments throughout the day
• Lunch provided
• Printed course certificate
• Post course support via email
• Access to our FREE workshop days

PHP Overview

The combination of PHP and MySQL are today's leading open source web development platform. This PHP server side scripting language has evolved from being merely a source of dynamic web content to providing the connectivity and infrastructure of many modern day web businesses. PHP is flexible enough for any developer to learn how to create anything from Content Management Systems (CMS) and forums to simple polls and fully fledged e-commerce systems.

The MySQL database engine is the natural partner for most PHP implementations and has a proven track record, powering high-traffic web sites such as Facebook, Wikipedia and YouTube.

This PHP course with MySQL introduces the concepts web server programming and the delivery of dynamic content via the web. Our aim is to provide students with the constructs of the PHP language and a good understanding of connecting to MySQL databases so that they are able to start implementing both simple and more complex web solutions. An emphasis is placed on learning the techniques to create a solid foundation for developing dynamic web sites.

Course Outcomes

By the end of this PHP course students will understand the structure of the PHP language and be able to use built-in functions and methods to create the following kinds of components :

• a private / secure members area
• validated web forms
• content management systems (cms)
• simple shopping carts
• forums / message boards
• file uploaders

Course Requirements

This course is aimed at web designers and developers with little or no experience of PHP who wish to learn how to develop web pages using PHP and MySQL. To get the most out of this course, students MUST already have some experience hand-coding HTML.

You should already know your own coding tools and be confident creating static HTML pages. Experience of any other programming language would be an advantage, but as previously stated, no knowledge of PHP or MySQL is required though.

A course primer document can be sent to students attending this course upon request. This can provide you with some basic knowledge of PHP prior to the start of the course and help you get the most from the training.

Course Description

The PHP course starts by introducing PHP and looking at what the language is capable of and even some of its limitations. This is useful so that students are able to put into context which web components are best created with PHP and MySQL and which should be created using other technologies.

Setting up a testing server is covered so that students are able to test their websites locally without needing to have a PHP enabled space hosted online. Included in this is a look at configuring the php.ini file that is used to control the PHP interpreter. Students are welcome to bring along their own laptops if they would like to practically do this with help from the course trainer.

The course then investigates the structure of PHP syntax and the use of variables and is followed by brief look at various data types and the ability to type cast in PHP. Conditional statements and looping constructs are a particularly early focus in the course as these will allow students to make data based decisions and iterate though processes and results to produce content; the grass roots of any dynamic web page.

The course then looks at both predefined and user functions which can optimise web programming processes by creating reusable code that reduces and even negates the need to rewrite existing code. Many of these functions work particularly well with the array data type.

The MySQL part of the course demonstrates how to create and populate a MySQL database using phpMyAdmin as well with SQL statements directly from PHP. Once the database is ready, the course focuses on querying and managing information within the database using native SQL queries.

The input and output section of the course deals with manipulating and formatting information using the vast number of built in PHP string functions. These are important as much of PHP is about preparing information for display on a web page. There is also an extensive look at reading and writing files to the web server which offers a means of allowing users to safely upload files to private or public areas on the server via simple HTML forms.

The course introduces regular expression support in PHP. This helps make data validation a relatively easy process and means that checking form content can take only a couple of lines of code.

Once session variables and cookies are introduced it is then possible to create secure login areas and track user interaction within your website. For many attending the PHP course, this is one of the key pieces of functionality that most are extremely eager to implement. This is all explained alongside with a good background of the security implications of using these features.

The course looks at dealing with encoding and sending email via PHP. Although this is often straight forward, most web hosts will require prior authentication with an SMTP server. This will be covered using the PHP Mailer class as well as the basic PHP mail command.

PHP Course Highlights

The course covers the following areas :

• Introduction to Web Server Programming
  • Overview of PHP Capabilities
  • Setting up a Testing Server
  • Overview of Development Environments
  • Basic Scripting Syntax
  • PHP Code Blocks
  • Print & Echo Statements
• Basic Language Constructs
  • Defining Constants and Variables - Data Types
  • Conditional Statements - if, else, elseif
  • Nesting Conditions
  • Looping Constructs - do, while, for, foreach
  • Introduction to Functions
  • Variable Scope
  • Passing and Returning Arguments through Functions
  • Using Include Files
  • Predefined PHP Functions
  • Array Functions

• Input and Output
  • String Functions
  • Regular Expression Functions
  • Reading, Writing and Deleting Files
  • Reading Directory Contents
  • Working with Forms - GET and POST
  • Authentication and Authorization
  • Data Validation
• Email Communication
  • Using Mail Servers (SMTP and Sendmail) for Client Communication
  • Configuring E-mail Output Parameters

• User and Session Tracking
  • Working with Cookies
  • Tracking Visitors with Session IDs
• MySQL Database Connectivity
  • Building a MySQL database
  • PHP's SQL API
  • Connecting to MySQL
  • Simple SQL Queries via PHP to SELECT, INSERT, DELETE and UPDATE Database Records
  • Executing SQL Calls

PHP Course Feedback - 4.9 out of 5.0 stars

"The time you get to complete certain sections and exercises yourself, and to follow along with Bjorn as he demonstrates specific sections. - Fantastic course, really learnt a lot, and was great to be back in a classroom environment where everyone is of the same mind set and just wants to learn! The biggest impact was as i said above, the time to complete exercises solo. It makes such a difference having someone to talk you through content, as opposed to just working your way through online courses on your own. This was so useful! Do you do "Intermediate PHP courses" or anything to follow on from this course, where i can spend more time learning? Please keep me in mind for last minute openings in courses and any discounts you might be offering! Thanks again Bjorn!!" - Lucy

"That Bjorn actually works in web design and offers practical advice based on experience. He tailors the course to your particular needs/interests and is more than willing to offer advice on any particular programming issues that you're having. Also the Pumpkin cafe :) - I started using what I learnt on this and the JQuery course as soon as I got back to the office. Both courses have given me so many ideas of what we can do on the site and I have a much better idea of how everything works and what we should and shouldn't be doing." - Charlotte @ University Of Derby

"It was presented in such a simplified way that it made the course content a lot easier to remember. - The course was very well put together and I now feel more confident looking at the PHP issues our own site has and being able to read it better." - Liam @ Mina Express Limited

"Very complex topic, and a lot of ground is covered in just enought detail to comprehend how different elements relate to each other. - Excellent course. Great introduction to the brain-melting world of PHP." - Rob @ Ucommerz

"Good introduction to how to construct loops, arrays etc. and nice to have working example of how to build parts of a CMS. - Fantastic course, well presented and have already recommended to others." - Adam

Course Trainer

Bjorn has had a very special interest in software development ever since writing his first programs in Basic on the TRS-80 back in the early 80s. With experience writing code in everything from M68000 assembler to PHP, he has worked as both a freelance developer and as a software development team leader.

With 15 years experience in PHP, working on everything from bespoke content management systems to ecommerce implementations, he is able to pass on all the skills needed to help students start developing their own dynamic solutions.

Course Location

This PHP course is run from our rooms on Jubilee Campus in Nottingham, which is part of the University of Nottingham's Innovation Park. These are serviced by a state-of-the-art tram system allowing easy access to the city centre as well as direct hourly rail services from London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Derby and Leicester.

Please note that all course prices exclude VAT.