Learning PHP (or any language)

[itsacoaster]

After working with SMF and TP for a while, you tend to pick up some basic elements of PHP, if you've worked with any kind of scripting or programming language in the past.  You know, just the easy stuff: echo, if statements, etc.  If you know enough about the application you're working with, with a little PHP knowledge, you can tweak things to make your website look or act just a little bit better.  (And for this we are all thankful for open source web applications like SMF and TP. )

There are a lot of fantastic PHP coders here, and I'm just curious as to how you became so proficient with the language.  Any input is appreciated.

[IchBin]

I think the one thing that has helped me the most is doing support. When someone asks a question and I don't know the answer. I go and try to figure it out. In doing so I have learned a lot of code. Now I don't consider myself a fantastic coder by any means, but I'm slowly getting there.

The other thing that helped me understand things was doing a little project of my own. I decided to setup a small backend to a website up for a non-profit organization so they could update it themselves. I learned a TON from doing this. It could be full of security holes though, so who knows lol. Reading books and tutorials will only get you so far until you take the leap and try to do some things on your own. Just my $.02 anyway.

[itsacoaster]

So by working with and understanding SMF and TP do you get a good idea about how an application should be written?

[IchBin]

Most definitely. The SMF code that I've come to understand is very thorough and precise. Although, at this point I don't see myself understanding how SMF works completely for quite a long time, I certainly see that it is well written. I look at it this way though. Bloc has been doing this for much longer than I have. And if he's a Developer there, and he's just begun to understand how diverse the layer system in the theming system of SMF is... I've got a long way to go. lol One step at a time.

[Zetan]

I'm new to coding, php, java too. And I agree with IchBin. When a question comes up that I don't know.. I will try my best to find out.
Well, I'm learning new things about it everyday.

It takes time, it's like learning a whole new language. Plus, if I need to know.. I'll learn it far easier than if I don't need to know.
Hopefully, over time, I'll be able to offer more coding support and maybe even write my own.

[bloc]

I actually picked up php because the themes use it lol.

Like IchBin I got myself into promising doing some smaller projects, and I was hooked. But as anything really - the more you work on it, discovering new things, the better you get.

SMF is a great source to learn from, and while it feels very complex - which it is lol - its also lots of simpler functions intertwined..so you take a look and go "whoa". But once you break it down to its logical pieces it all starts to make sense. The abilty to see the bigger picture will help alot when learning from something like this.

I have never been good at using techincal terms or using esoteric and advanced coding techniques, I stick with what I can understand - but you pick up stuff for every obstacle you get to of course. And never be afraid to learn new stuff, admit that you don't know everything, and that there are people whcih you can actually learn from.

[Lesmond]

I dont I will ever get the hang of coding,  I am just getting into graphics at the moment, and I am quite enjoying what I am coming up with so far, but thats another topic!

Oh my sig is one of my first