How to learn PHP from scratch: Tips and tricks for a beginner

Due to its simplicity and open source code, most web developers prefer to create websites in PHP. Content management systems WordPress, Joomla! and many social networks like VKontakte and Facebook.

PHP programming for beginners is the best choice. This language is easy to learn, constantly evolving, has a simple syntax, and PHP developers are in demand in the Russian and foreign markets.

Why learn PHP for a beginner

PHP was created back in 1995 as a general-purpose language. He quickly gained popularity and confidently holds the lead in the ratings to this day.

The main advantages of the PHP language:

• quick study – in 2-3 months it is really possible to reach such a level of knowledge and skills that will allow you to get a job;
• easy to learn – quickly learn basic commands thanks to uncomplicated syntax;
• a large number of frameworks – special programs that facilitate development. They provide a ready-made frame that needs to be filled with replaceable models;
• demand for specialists in the labor market – more than 6,000 vacancies only on the hh.ru portal.
• the ability to use in an isolated environment – this increases the security of the operating system and files from destructive software influences such as viruses;
• documentation in Russian and a large community of developers.

It is necessary to mention the disadvantages of the PHP-programmer profession – not the highest salaries in IT – an average of 2000$ to 10000$. To earn more and be in demand as a developer, PHP alone is not enough, you need to learn JavaScript and HTML / CSS.

How to learn PHP to move forward

Find a mentor . If possible, find a mentor. The ideal path for a programmer is to learn a language under the guidance of an experienced colleague. This way you will be able to avoid mistakes typical for beginners and speed up your entry into the profession.

Practice . The most important stage in learning PHP is practice. Without practical application, theoretical knowledge is quickly forgotten. You can start developing a website for your goals from the very first weeks of training. You can make unlimited changes, experiment with code, add and change effects, apply graphics, and more.

Here’s what will help you practice:

• install the PHPStorm development environment on your PC;
• come up with and create a simple script – at least for posting comments to the site;
• create scripts for different tasks until this process ceases to cause difficulties – this skill will help you to thoroughly understand how the language functions and how to test ready-made programs;
• develop a website for a specific task – an online store or an information portal. This will help you understand additional technologies, frameworks, layout and databases.

Find your first customers. Offer your website development service to someone close to you or on freelance exchanges without a budget.

When you have confidence and understanding of the principles of programming, you can start looking for inexpensive projects on freelance exchanges or forums for beginner programmers. This will create your first portfolio that you can already contact potential employers with.

Get into the company. When you have 2-3 independently developed sites in your arsenal, you can start looking for work. Keep in mind that even though the employer needs your practical skills, theoretical knowledge is also tested in the interview.

Upgrade your skills. Learning does not stop with the start of work. The language is constantly changing, new technologies and tools appear. Study innovations and follow trends, read professional literature and learn from the experience of other developers. This will give you career advancements and pay raises.

Sometimes you hear the opinion that PHP will become unnecessary as sites give way to applications, and PHP will be replaced by other more modern programming languages. In the article ” What is PHP for and why is it worth learning “, they told why it is too early to bury the language and who should learn it.

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What career stages does a PHP developer go through?

A PHP programmer goes through four stages in his development:

1. Trainee is a novice developer who performs tasks under the guidance of a mentor.
2. Junior – knows PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, MySQL databases, OOP principles and techniques. Confidently uses Git and CMS. At the same time, it is not necessary to have work experience for employment.
3. Middle – 2-3 years of experience, participation in large projects, deep knowledge of PHP and frameworks.
4. Signor – an expert level of programming, the ability to apply all development technologies at all levels of the product life cycle and have experience in team management.

By regularly improving his professional level, gaining new skills, studying technologies, methods and tools, a PHP programmer can make a successful career in 3-5 years.

How to upgrade skills

We analyzed what popular schools offer and collected TOP 3 courses for learning PHP programming that are suitable for beginners.

• PHP Programmer course from GeekBrains . In 4 months, you will learn basic operations: creating and cloning a repository, merging branches, requesting change history, and much more. This is a basic course, after which you can start learning any programming language
• Course “PHP-developer. Basic level ”from Skillbox . In 12 months you will master the PHP programming language from scratch, and immediately consolidate the knowledge gained in practice. You will learn how to work with the file system, customize helper programs, and find and fix bugs in your code. During the training, you will write a full-fledged project – cloud file storage.
• Course “Profession Fullstack PHP Developer” from Skillbox . In 12 months you will take part in all stages of web development – master backend and front-end development, learn OOP, learn PHP from scratch to pro, and be able to create interactive and dynamic web pages. You will learn how to independently think through the structure of a project, customize the interaction of all its parts, and assemble a viable product.

The advantage of online training is that you can master a new profession from the comfort of your home. The courses include experienced mentors, many practical assignments, homework checking, chatting with like-minded people, and a portfolio that will help you get a job in the future.

Let’s sum up

PHP is one of the most in-demand programming languages ​​in web development. It is easy to learn, constantly evolving and gaining new opportunities.

To learn PHP from scratch, start with syntax and writing simple programs. As you learn the language and master the tools and technologies, your skills will become more sophisticated. Within two to three months from the start of your studies, you can start working as a PHP programmer, and you can grow to an expert level in 4-5 years.