http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/wherehow-did-you-learn-php WordPress theme club support forums en-US Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:24:52 +0000 bbpress 1.0.2 q http://themehybrid.com/support/search.php http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/wherehow-did-you-learn-php#post-30810 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:24:32 +0000 andyimages 30810@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>I am by no means a PHP expert, but I believe that its beneficial to be able to hack PHP files....I bought a few books and studied with an expert PHP and Javascript programmer, who understands the ins and outs of the DOM, but hasn't a clue as far as WP goes.</p> <p>WP gives powerful tools and its not necessary to know PHP at all-- but it certainly helps when you have to customize widgets that do "almost" what you need.</p> <p>Justin has given some great tools here, and especially for people who have had to dive into the PHP templates, understand Query_Posts and hack the loop. these are like WP on steroids....I can imagine why any developer wouldn't want to work with this theme. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/wherehow-did-you-learn-php#post-30796 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:42:02 +0000 Justin Tadlock 30796@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>I've scanned through a few books, but for the most part, trial and error. There are two ways I do most of my learning:</p> <p>1) Look at other people's code and see how it works (mostly themes and plugins).</p> <p>2) Have an idea. Then, try to figure out how to make that idea a reality.</p> <p>I think #2 is the most important because this is what I do most often. For example, when I create something new, I don't know what all functions and variables will be needed beforehand. I start with what I <em>do</em> know and work from there. So, I'm always learning.</p> <p>This site is also helpful and more user-friendly than the PHP site:<br /> <a href="http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/DEfaULT.asP" rel="nofollow">http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/DEfaULT.asP</a></p> <p>I think it's also important to note that you don't need to know the ins and outs of PHP to code well for WordPress. WP does so many things for you. You just need to know how the APIs work, and the Codex (while limited) is a great place to get information. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/wherehow-did-you-learn-php#post-30789 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:19:53 +0000 tewonawonga 30789@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>My clients are starting to ask for more and more, and I'm starting to feel confident enough to say yes and yes, but I seriously need to get stronger with my PHP skills. </p> <p>How did you learn PHP? Did you take a class, read a book, hack through Wordpress themes for months on end? </p>