The next step...

[Hitman]

Right, I can code PHP - better than a few people that claim they can (not on here just generally). I can do certain things like usersystems, news scripts etc... however, I tried a PHP forum and my PHP knowledge lacked things I needed to make it... simple functions I didn't know.

So, where should I go to learn some functions (or to learn how to make some) and other things. Any links to tutorials (not basic things) or anything similar is appreciated.

+rep to any that are good.:D

[Mentor]

Forums are harder than the first appear since you really never a very well designed infustrcure to be able to build out on top of them to the exstent needed.
Personally learning php in an object orineted way, its a great asset when working on a partically big project. As always php.net will expanded on any particualar functions (the notes often conatine gold in em as well).

If you have any partical questions though id be happy to try and help :)

[Hitman]

Forums are harder than the first appear since you really never a very well designed infustrcure to be able to build out on top of them to the exstent needed.
Personally learning php in an object orineted way, its a great asset when working on a partically big project. As always php.net will expanded on any particualar functions (the notes often conatine gold in em as well).

If you have any partical questions though id be happy to try and help :)
I agree. You have to get the base correct at the start or it'll flop.

php.net... thanks! I do have some questions... well, a question. I sort of started learning with usersystems and only seemed to see } else { being used a lot - I know there are other things can you name some and what they do?

I'd be very grateful! :D

[Mentor]

Im slighly confused? Are you refering to alterntives to the if statment?

if($somthing == 2){
// do thise
}else if($somthingesle ==4){
//do this
}else{
/ if none of the above, do this
}

Which could equaly be repersnted with a switch case

switch ($somthing) {
case 2:
//do this
break;
case 4:
// do this instead
break;
default:
//do this if none of the above
}


Or are you refering to language constructs in general which includes everything from loops through functions and classes.

[Hitman]

Im slighly confused? Are you refering to alterntives to the if statment?

if($somthing == 2){
// do thise
}else if($somthingesle ==4){
//do this
}else{
/ if none of the above, do this
}

Which could equaly be repersnted with a switch case

switch ($somthing) {
case 2:
//do this
break;
case 4:
// do this instead
break;
default:
//do this if none of the above
}


Or are you refering to language constructs in general which includes everything from loops through functions and classes.I mean, what other statements are there... I never studied them. :P

[MrCraig]

The only new coding i had to learn when making a forum was ceil() which is needed to round up for my page limiting system

All a forum really is is a few while() loops and some arrays..

[MountainDew]

I mean, what other statements are there... I never studied them. :P
Not to be "rude" here, but you are contradicting yourself a bunch.

You pretend to know PHP amazingly:

"I agree. You have to get the base correct at the start or it'll flop."

Then why did you try to code the forum? :P Unless you just learned that afterwords..

I would advise you to read over PHP, Tizag, and or maybe purchase a PHP book, those are very helpful :)

[Hitman]

Not to be "rude" here, but you are contradicting yourself a bunch.

You pretend to know PHP amazingly:

"I agree. You have to get the base correct at the start or it'll flop."

Then why did you try to code the forum? :P Unless you just learned that afterwords..

I would advise you to read over PHP, Tizag, and or maybe purchase a PHP book, those are very helpful :)
Hi,

I don't pretend to know PHP amazingly, I know basics and enough to make certain things. I said better than people claim they can because I've seen people using putting things like <? include 'file.php' ?> in echo tags. >_> I agree with what Mentor said - I attempted a forum once, made the base of it dodgy and it flopped. I tried coding a forum because usersystems are easy - a forum is the next thing up and would be interesting.

Thanks.

[MountainDew]

I disagree with the "forum is the next thing up" from a user system, no way is it.

There is a huge leap between user system -> forum.

I didn't even attempt a forum until at least 6-8 months into my studying of PHP.

I would keep continuing adding features to your usersystem, before heading into bigger things.

More features is equal to more learning of how to do things.

[Baving]

I agree with Caleb a forum is not the "next thing up". Undertaking a forum is a major project if done correctly. It is not a "1 week job". Back in the day when I created some forum software I spent 2 months working on it on and off.

You could do what I did though!

I created a fully functional Content Management System with full OOP support, template engine, plugin system etc all from scratch after about 5 months of learning!

If you are unsure about all the statments used in PHP I would suggest re-reading the manual lol.. You shouldn't be taking on forums or advanced programming if you don't know all the structures.

Before you take on any project do quite a bit of reading on how to program using professional programming structures. Have a look at other peoples code, see how they do it and pick up tips :)

Taking on big projects at a high standard doesn't happen over night. If I were to create a huge script such as a forum, done properly I would spend a few hours thinking logically and writing down the possible table structures etc on a piece of paper.

[Hitman]

I disagree with the "forum is the next thing up" from a user system, no way is it.

There is a huge leap between user system -> forum.

I didn't even attempt a forum until at least 6-8 months into my studying of PHP.

I would keep continuing adding features to your usersystem, before heading into bigger things.

More features is equal to more learning of how to do things.
If the usersystem has many features with news systems etc and the forum is basic is sure is.

I've been studying a while now... However I got far the first time and lost the web so I didn't code for ages. I'm learning now still.

Thanks though, I will try adding things. ;)


I agree with Caleb a forum is not the "next thing up". Undertaking a forum is a major project if done correctly. It is not a "1 week job". Back in the day when I created some forum software I spent 2 months working on it on and off.

You could do what I did though!

I created a fully functional Content Management System with full OOP support, template engine, plugin system etc all from scratch after about 5 months of learning!

If you are unsure about all the statments used in PHP I would suggest re-reading the manual lol.. You shouldn't be taking on forums or advanced programming if you don't know all the structures.

Before you take on any project do quite a bit of reading on how to program using professional programming structures. Have a look at other peoples code, see how they do it and pick up tips :)

Taking on big projects at a high standard doesn't happen over night. If I were to create a huge script such as a forum, done properly I would spend a few hours thinking logically and writing down the possible table structures etc on a piece of paper.I wanted to make a simple small forum, not something as good as vBulletin. Just something small and simple, with not a large amount of features. I never read any manuals or anything, I simply looked at scripts people had made and learnt from them. Now I want to expand my knowledge to other things.

[Baving]

If the usersystem has many features with news systems etc and the forum is basic is sure is.

I've been studying a while now... However I got far the first time and lost the web so I didn't code for ages. I'm learning now still.

Thanks though, I will try adding things. ;)

I wanted to make a simple small forum, not something as good as vBulletin. Just something small and simple, with not a large amount of features. I never read any manuals or anything, I simply looked at scripts people had made and learnt from them. Now I want to expand my knowledge to other things.

www.php.net/manual

Take a read lol

[MountainDew]

www.php.net/manual

Take a read lol
I agree, the manual is what is going to take you farther in your learning.

It explains everything you need to know, or probably ever will need to know in your journey. If you are going to make it anywhere coding, its going to be your best friend/reference all the time.

As Baving said, just take a read over it, a simple forum is still harder then you think.

[Hitman]

I agree, the manual is what is going to take you farther in your learning.

It explains everything you need to know, or probably ever will need to know in your journey. If you are going to make it anywhere coding, its going to be your best friend/reference all the time.

As Baving said, just take a read over it, a simple forum is still harder then you think.Thank you and thanks Baving! +repped you both!

[Mr Macro]

Forums are a great project if you know what your doing. I would suggest a news system with comments as its close to a forum concept.