http://www.xampp.org

If you want a free PHP webhost, you can try:

http://www.freehostia.com
http://www.awardspace.com

You don't have to, but I also recommend learning CSS.

Yeah, we mentioned that to him in a previous thread. I think the problem is that lafferjm gets somewhat impatient with languages and goes onto a new one before he's mastered the first.

that could be a problem. Remember, you NEED to know HTML to do PHP, as it creates HTML for your browser to use.

Well, not necessarily... that's just the most common use...

See, this page http://www.alex10819.com/tablet83/button.php?text=Hi+Guys
does not generate any HTML... but it still creates output...

Just the same, you DO need to know HTML... at least the basics, preferably a more advanced grasp... i'm no HTML expert, but I know how to make a site tick... and you should too...

I am going to stick with this until it is mastered no matter what because i have already created a small site in html and i think it is cool seeing my program right there on the screen. so basically this stuff intrests me so much that i want to keep learning it.

and i have a few questions:

1.Do i have to download anything to learn php?(asking because i could not get simple code to work in browser)
2.What is the php file extension?

1. You can't just view it as a local file like with HTML. You need a webhost or else something like xaamp.
2. .php is the most common, but .php4 is also valid iirc.

I'll try to explain running PHP as best I can...

you have two options. Localhost server, or external server. (or CGI, but that's just a pain in the a, and i wont cover that right now)

Option 1: Localhost Server

• Download a server application. I recommend XAMPP, you can get it from Sourceforge.net
  
• Install the server app. Once installed (If the server came with PHP, like XAMPP does), open a web browser and type in "http://localhost/"
  
• Assuming that loads a page, your server is set up right... good. Now, go to the htdocs folder (For XAMPP, it's C:\Program Files\XAMPP\htdocs\) in windows explorer (My Computer)
  
• Save your PHP files in this folder, then access them through the web browser. For example, if you name the file "test.php", you would go to http://localhost/test.php
  
• Have fun coding. You may want to get an IDE to make development easier (syntax highlighting is awesome). PHP Designer 2006 is pretty good, so is Maguma Open Studio
  

Option 2: External Server
Basically, all you need to do this is access to a webserver that has PHP. By access, I mean either FTP or an upload form.

• Write your code. Save it as a .php file
  
• Open your FTP client (Internet Explorer is actually easiest for this... simple, familiar design)
  
• Login to your FTP site.
  
• Upload the file, then access it in your webbrowser at the proper URL... If i uploaded "test.php" to ftp.alex10819.com, i could go to http://www.alex10819.com/test.php to view my file.
  
• Done!
  

Remember:

• Before you start writing PHP, you should create a phpinfo file like this, and check it out.
  
  Code:
  
  
<?php
phpinfo();
?>

  
  
• Always check your code before uploading it if you use an external server... It's much better to find your errors before the PHP debugger does.
  
• PHP is FUN...
  
• Don't be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid questions, only stupid information requisitions.
  

Another excellent tech support document from the Cemetech Team. I really should start putting those into some kind of db... :S

all right i guess i better go look at those sites posted earlier for a free site host. and i will download xamp as well. i will use xamp to view it and a web host to actually put it on the internet.

Exactly, that's a good way to do it. If you decide not to go for a full IDE, I once again recommend Notepad++.

what IDE would you recommend.

I pretty much agree with Alex:

almost anything with syntax highlighting is all you really need. Notepadd++ or Programmers Notepad are my choices.

As to IDEs (Integrated Development Environment), I personally use PHP Designer 2006... It has built in syntax highlighting for like 10+ languages, including HTML, PHP, CSS, C#, and seeral forms of SQL... excellent program... Maguma was great, but it started crashing regularly for me...

Anyway, IDEs are completely optional. They provide some neat features however, and I do recommend using one... typical features:

• Syntax Highlighting
  
• Auto-commenting
  
• Auto character escaping (when selected)
  
• Project management
  

These are a few typical features... most also have a debugger that uses the PHP CGI executable, but you dont need to worry about htat for now...

Actually, Alex, Notepad++ supports syntax highlighting for about 30 languages, plus an instant command reference for each one...

Never said it didnt.

well i got local host to come up and i had to be online for the site to load up. now that it has been loaded do i have to be online to view my pages anymore.

you shouldn't have to be. if you are still having problems, try 127.0.0.1 when offline. If that works, then you have a hosts file problem (btw, what OS are you using?)

os=windows

and i have to start apache 2 and mysql and then when i go to http://localhost it works online but then it doesnt while off line.

XP, 2K, 98, ME?

try when offline http://127.0.0.1