If you want to create a good website, you’re going to need to do more than just put any sort of code into the HTML. And if you don’t know what that means, you need to take a few classes in website building so you can actually learn what a website needs in order to create something that’s more than just a lot of words on a bright blue background. PHP is one of the tools you can use, helping you build something that’s not only dynamic, but it’s also something that will engage a reader of your website. Granted, if you don’t care if anyone looks at your site, you can stop reading now. But if you actually want to build a website that matters, you may want to keep going.
Cracking the Code
In order to create anything that will be seen online, you need to make sure you know the language. When you’re creating images and actions online, this means you need to learn some geek speak. This will allow you to create a dialogue with the computer and then get the computer to do what you need it to do. Learning HTML and other codes might require that you take a few classes with a qualified teacher. At least, invest in a few PHP books and other coding books. This will help you to see what you need to do and what you need to change in order to make code do something else. Coding isn’t hard, but it does require that you watch the lines carefully to ensure you are doing everything exactly right.
Watching for Errors
Yes, there are a lot of ways that you can mess up when you’re adding the code for the PHP, so you need to make sure that you turn on the error reporting from the start. Some people wait until they’re done writing the program and this is not necessary, and it’s not recommended. You need to make sure that you know the errors step by step so you can correct them as you go, not when everything is done and you’re not sure how one error might be impacting something else. Turn that error reporting on as soon as possible.
Know Your Quotes
When you’re writing out code, it’s easy to see why people take shortcuts along the way – well, they make mistakes and call them shortcuts. Think of coding as something like a combination lock. When the numbers you use aren’t right, you’re not going to get the lock open. But when you have the right numbers (i.e. the right code), then you can be assured the code will do what it needs to do. You might want to start by watching out for the single and the double quote marks. They do make a difference and just one that’s out of place will cause your website to not function as it should.
PHP is more than just a way to make your website cool, so learn about it and become sort of cool in the process.