ed_graphicd — Sat, 28 Feb 2004 20:08:53 +0000

since you are just starting out, that rules out the Smarty templating engine, I have near 2 years PHP experience (self learner too) but I'm still intimidated by templeting engines, mainly because of the learning curve involved.

For simple drag and drop PHP-ing, I think there is not much choice for PHP developers except Dreamweaver and codecharge (please someone correct me if I'm wrong!). Personally I don't use that feature of DW, I like hardcoding PHP, its more flexible. Codecharge is targeted at more advanced users. Can frontpage do PHP? never used it before.

I think hardcoding PHP is best to learn the ins and outs, this is the article that started it for me :
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/01/48/index2a.html?tw=programming

Do you already have a local server installed? what about PHP itself and MySQL? if not there are how-to articles on webmonkey for those too.

Editors wise, some minumum requirements are: Syntax highlighting and line numbering. Otherwise, you'll have to try-and-see which one fits you best.

other resources and a chance for info-overload visit:
zend.com, phparch.com, http://www.phpmag.net/

Wapture — Sat, 28 Feb 2004 16:05:38 +0000

Is this easy to use? I am a beginner to php and cannot write scripts as of yet.

I need something that will be easy to use for beginners.

I do like drag and drop editors, they are very easy to use and can perform well, such as Front Page but this is too much for me.

ed_graphicd — Sat, 28 Feb 2004 15:57:21 +0000

Here is a content management system based on PHP and MySql, http://typo3.com/
there are detailed case studies on who uses it and why, in Case & Review section.

Templating engine like smarty (http://smarty.php.net/) seems very popular. I have not tried either, but looking to try them out.

There are more out there, but I suppose the 'safest' ones to try are those with good documentation / community, so when you get in a fix, help is close by.

For editors, there is a total PHP editor bazaar at:
http://www.thelinuxconsultancy.co.uk/phpeditors/

Personally I like Phpedit(free) and Dreamweaver (pricey but dang cool). Maguma (free version available) is cool too.

When doing PHP, I can't live without the docs at:
http://www.php.net/download-docs.php

wish you the best o luck Wapture