On 02/22/2015 08:54 AM, Christoph Becker wrote:
John Allsopp wrote:
I've become aware that I've not kept up my PHP knowledge. I've a first
class degree in Internet computing, but all my PHP is self taught, and
from possibly a decade ago. I'm a freelance web developer, so it's often
fairly basic stuff but also some not-so basic things such as .. I build
a project control system for a printing company with a sophisticated
user interface & ajax.
I build with a 3-tier architecture, object oriented model, but I've
actually avoided learning any framework because I'm stuck with the idea
that if I build from scratch I can do anything, whereas if I start
building things in someone else's framework, if I want to do something
I've got to work out how to do it in the framework, and that's not a
transferable skill.
However, what's prompted this request is that I'd like to specialise
more, and it seems the market wants me to do more PHP, so I ought to
become the best I can be at it. And I only just noticed that my usual
mysql commands such as
http://php.net/manual/en/function.mysql-fetch-assoc.php is deprecated,
so I really ought to get with the programme (or program, mebbe).
I'm thinking, then, I ought to read a book that re-covers the basics for
me (I'm looking for recommendations), and .. what else? I'm not wanting
to start a framework war, btw, but I'm aware I've not heard as much
about Zend as I used to. I know nothing about Zend.
I used to subscribe to PHP Architect, maybe I need to renew that.
So yeah .. pointers, please. Where should be my sources of info for my
journey upwards? What should be my goals? How would you coach me?
Maybe you'll want to have a look at <http://www.phptherightway.com/>.
It seems to be pretty up-to-date and contains plenty of links for more
detailed information.
That's a good place to start, definitely.
If you're into books, I've not read it but
http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920033868.do has just been published
and has good reviews from people I trust.
Also, get involved in a local user group. If there isn't one in your
area: http://nomadphp.com/
Also, refuse to use a web host that doesn't offer at least PHP 5.5.
Hosts that aren't on 5.5 yet should go out of business through market
pressure ASAP. That also means you have access to "modern" PHP
functionality. (5.6 would be even better if you can find it.)
The two big frameworks in the PHP world today are Symfony and Zend. Both
have their strengths and weaknesses. Zend is bigger in the US. Symfony
is bigger in Europe, and more major OSS projects have adopted Symfony or
some Symfony components as a baseline. It's probably worth your time to
learn at least a little about both.
If you're not building your tools out of Composer/Packaglist-provided
libraries, start. Now.
Also, pay attention to the work the PHP-FIG is doing. They're actively
working to build the interoperability baseline tools that will define
PHP for the next decade. (It's a slow process, and not without
contention, but this is the future of PHP.)
(Disclaimer: I'm a Drupal developer myself, have worked with Symfony but
not Zend, and was one of the people driving Drupal 8 to adopt Symfony
components. I am also the Drupal PHP-FIG representative.)
--Larry Garfield
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