How to Learn PHP & MySQL

PHP and MySQL are programming languages responsible for server-side programming. When entering web development, consider learning these languages as they are simple and beginner-friendly. They are a great way to begin your web development journey. With vast resources available for learning PHP and MySQL, you might be overwhelmed at first. There are various boots, video tutorials, classes, and more to choose from; it all depends on your learning style and personal preferences. 

Here we will discuss the different methods of learning PHP and MySQL, so you can decide how to get started. 

What is PHP & MySQL?

PHP is a widely used open-source scripting language on the server side of web development. This free and open-source coding language is one of the more accessible coding languages to learn while offering advanced features for professional programmers. The majority of the time, PHP is used for making web servers. One thing that makes PHP simple is that it is platform-independent and can run on any operating system without a problem.

Typically when you work with PHP, you will also work with MySQL as the database management system. MySQL is a structured query language that plays a central role in computing. Instead of storing data in a big storage room, MySQL stores all of the data in separate tables that efficiently tracks and manages all of the data from the websites. You can find that both PHP and MySQL power several of the most accessed web applications, including Facebook, Netflix, Uber, and Twitter. 

Read more about PHP and MySQL and why you should learn them.

What Can You Do with PHP & MySQL?

When thinking about what you can do with various programming languages, you'll probably think of the countless websites and web applications you could create; however, with PHP and MySQL, you can do much more. 

You can create dynamic page content by working with a server-side programming language. Many programmers working with PHP and MySQL work with ecommerce and WordPress themes. You can write the script for and create desktop applications. However, these are things that other programming languages can accomplish as well. PHP is great for web security as you can easily set up user authentication and two-step verification with PHP. This security trick will allow your websites to use the cornerstones of web security with a few simple steps. You have easy database connectivity, which is why you often see PHP paired with MySQL. 

With PHP, you can implement real-time applications like chats, bots, social networks, and games into your website. To do this, you need to create the application using a different language, then use local PHP back end code to implement it into the website. However, these are just a few things you can accomplish with PHP; the more familiar you become with the language, the more you will be able to accomplish.

In-Person PHP & MySQL Training

When learning any coding language to make the process easier, in-person learning is a suitable option. With in-person training, you can meet like-minded classmates that can help with the learning process. Students can receive feedback directly from the instructor in a timely fashion. This option is great for holding yourself accountable; however, you must attend class on time and actively participate to get the most out of the class. This option can be challenging for those with crazy full schedules, especially when a commute is required.

The Noble Desktop campus in New York City has proximity to several public transportation options, making it convenient for students in surrounding areas like New Jersey or Philadelphia, or other parts of New York. If you decide this is the right option, check out Noble Desktop's in-person web development courses. These courses will range from several hours to months and accommodate every skill level. If you live outside of the New York area, you still have various in-person web development classes available to you. The Classes Near Me tool, which Noble Desktop offers, allows you to find courses in your area that fit your budget and schedule. If no courses appear in your area, do not fret, you can check with local colleges and community colleges to see if they offer any in-person courses you can take. Or you can check back with the Classes Near Me tool, which is updated regularly as new classes become available. 

Live Online PHP & MySQL Training

Live online learning has increased in popularity as an alternative to in-person training. These online learning options give students the flexibility they need if they have full schedules or long commutes from rural areas. Some students may excel in environments where they are comfortable; however, live online training does have some drawbacks. It can be hard to hold yourself accountable with various distractions pulling you away from class or coursework. It may also be hard to see a separation between work and home. More extroverted students may struggle with the lack of interactions; however, there are ways to work around that. 

Noble Desktop offers several live online web development courses for students pursuing online learning. When students first hear about online learning, they often assume these courses are asynchronous and self-paced; however, these courses are taught live over teleconferencing platforms. Live online learning is similar to in-person training in a virtual classroom. Students interact fully with their instructor and classmates in real time, just as they would in an in-person class. This interaction level allows them to receive instant feedback and answers to any questions. 

Virtual training options are available through other providers like Thinkful, Juno College of Technology, Bloom Institute of Technology, and Altcademy. Like Noble, these providers offer web development courses covering programming languages ranging from beginner to advanced. You can check out other live online web development courses using Noble's Classes Near Me tool. 

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

If you cannot commit to a lengthy course but want to start your programming journey, you can learn for free online. Check out Noble Desktop's free Intro to WordPress for Developers course. This course will give a basic overview of how to use PHP in WordPress. In this course, students will focus on the developer side of WordPress, learning how to develop themes, how they work, and how to upload them. Noble Desktop also provides other free seminars in various programming languages. 

Other schools also provide free web development courses. Coursera provides courses on how to build websites using WordPress and how to build web apps in PHP. You can also audit their longer web development courses for free. Udemy also offers several free introductory courses for PHP and MySQL. You can also find hundreds of web development videos on YouTube to help you get started with various programming languages. You can check out Noble Desktop's YouTube Channel for various web development videos. 

Read about more free PHP and MySQL videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand PHP & MySQL Classes

Suppose you want to learn PHP, MySQL, or any other programming language but are balancing several personal and professional responsibilities. In that case, you may need more time to devote to a full class to learn one of those languages. A self-paced web development course is an alternative for learning new skills without adding another responsibility to your busy schedule. These courses are available where ever and whenever you can complete them.

Upon browsing through these courses, you will find multiple courses designed for beginners starting with web development; however, there are classes available for all skill levels. You may find several free options through different providers, although most of these courses will require either a platform subscription or a set fee to gain access to the class. However, these classes provide a more budget and schedule-friendly alternative for those learning a new skill. 

On-demand courses differ from live classes as they require more discipline on the student's behalf. These courses provide students with more flexibility; however, students need to hold themselves accountable for watching the material as they will not have an instructor or classmates to motivate them through the course. With a busy schedule, it can become easy to forget about these courses, making it hard to keep up and retain the information. However, this provides an excellent alternative if one lacks time or money to devote to a live class.

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

Everyone learns differently, especially when it comes to learning programming languages. PHP and MySQL have been available to the public as open source since 2000. Because of this, several different resources are available to help beginners learn these languages. With those various learning methods, you must discover which is best for you. By experimenting with multiple tools to find the best method for you, you will develop and have complete control over your learning, allowing you to combine the tools you prefer instead of doing what a teacher chooses for you. 

One factor you will want to consider is your goal in learning PHP and MySQL. Are you new to coding and seeking to change careers? You may seek an interactive option with an intense timeline, like a PHP and MySQL bootcamp. If you already know how to code and want to add another language to your toolbelt, a self-paced or video tutorial may serve your purposes. 

When selecting a learning method, it is important to consider how much time you are willing to devote to learning and how learning will fit in with your schedule and budget. If you are learning PHP and MySQL to add another language to your developer toolbelt, you may devote less time to learning the language. If you are seeking to change careers soon, devote as much time as possible to move forward with your career change. However, these options are dependent upon your schedule and budget. For those with various responsibilities like a full-time job or family obligations, you may not have the time to devote to a structured, intensive course that in-person and live online options require. If this is the case, you may lean more into the flexible options of self-paced courses or video tutorials to begin your learning journey. Those with more flexible schedules may be more inclined to enroll in a full course. Of course, the more interactive a course is, the more expensive it becomes. When choosing a course, you will want to keep a budget in mind for how much you want to spend on your training. 

With all these factors in mind, you will find the right training method that works best for you and your web development goals. 

Why Learn PHP & MySQL?

You may wonder why you should take the time to learn PHP and MySQL. Over the years, PHP has declined in popularity, with new coding languages coming onto the scene. Despite the decline in popularity, it is still used in about 80% of websites today. It is still an easy-to-learn language accompanied by a large community that willingly shares information and tips. You can find many jobs requiring proficiency in PHP and MySQL. 

PHP is a great language to learn if you start with web development. It can be a great stepping stone to other coding languages. Starting with PHP and MySQL gives you a user-friendly experience that gives you more control over the language. The syntax is forgivable, making it perfect for those who have never coded. Beginners can take their time to work out the hiccups with simple language before jumping into a more complex language. PHP and MySQL are for more than just beginners. The more you work with the language, the more advanced coding you can do with it. 

Read more about why you should learn PHP and MySQL.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

Learning any programming language is daunting, as learning to code is challenging. There are ways to make the transition into web development more straightforward. One of those ways to begin is by learning PHP and MySQL. PHP and MySQL provide beginners with a simple and forgivable syntax that is easy to learn. Beginners can become proficient in both in under a year. 

To start learning PHP and MySQL, one should consider having a high level of basic computer skills. Entering the tech world, you will need to know how to navigate your way around your computer, troubleshoot any issues, and know essential software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. You should also learn the basics of HTML and CSS before getting started with PHP HTML can be embedded with PHP code. This task is unnecessary but can make the learning process easier. 

PHP and MySQL are open-source languages. This designation means you can download the code free from the correlating websites and begin manipulating the language as you see fit. You will encounter the cost of PHP and MySQL from website hosting, upgrading equipment, and training. 

Read about how difficult it is to learn PHP and MySQL.

Learn Web Development with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides various web development classes that meet various scheduling needs and learning styles. No matter which class you enroll in, you’ll learn from expert instructors in small intimate classes. Any students can attend in-person training at Noble's Manhattan campus or remotely from anywhere worldwide. In addition to the courses, students can retake the course within of year of completion for no additional charge, giving them more time to hone their skills.

For those interested in beginning their web development journey, Noble offers a short Intro to WordPress for Developers course that covers the basics of PHP. This course covers how WordPress Themes work and how to develop and upload them onto a live site. For a more in-depth look into web development through WordPress, consider the WordPress Bootcamp. This course goes more in-depth on how to use HTML, CSS, and PHP to develop websites for WordPress. 

If you want a general overview of PHP and MySQL, you can take the PHP and MySQL bootcamp course. In this course, you learn the fundamentals of both PHP and MySQL. Before taking this course, you should have basic HTML and CSS knowledge. 

For those interested in learning other back end web development languages to start their web development career, consider enrolling in the JavaScript Development Certificate course or the Python Developer Certificate course. Both courses go in-depth into each language. After learning PHP and MySQL, you should consider learning JavaScript and Python, as you will encounter them throughout your programming career. Having each of these languages on your programming toolbelt with help jumpstart your web development career!

Key Insights

• PHP and MySQL are easy-to-learn back end programming languages.
• While not the most popular server-side languages, PHP and MySQL are still used on 80% of websites today. 
• The best way to learn PHP and MySQL, in order of most engagement, are
• in-person bootcamps and certificates, like Noble Desktop's PHP and MySQL bootcamp,
• live virtual training, including bootcamps and certificate programs,
• free online courses or video tutorials, and
• on-demand or self-paced courses.
• Before deciding on a learning method, you will want to consider the following:
• your goal in learning PHP and MySQL,
• how you learn best,
• the time you have to devote to training, and
• your current schedule and budget.
• Noble Desktop offers comprehensive PHP and MySQL training with in-person and live online options available.