Which PHP & MySQL Training Format Is Right for Me?

Although PHP and MySQL are declining in popularity as new server-side languages become available, they are still popular for beginners as they are simple and easy to learn. They are also widely used to power some of the most visited websites. When comparing types of PHP and MySQL training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right training is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to learn more about the different formats of PHP and MySQL training, how they compare, and how to determine which is best for you.

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.

Training Formats for PHP & MySQL

When learning any new skill, there are various methods you can choose from to learn that skill. You may find several free short classes to fit into your schedule that will provide the information you need to get started with PHP and MySQL, or you may invest some time watching video tutorials on YouTube. Those with more flexible schedules should consider live training, with in-person and live online options available. 

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

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. 

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 Classes

Enrolling in a class is a significant time commitment, which can be challenging to fit into a busy schedule. You should continue learning even if you cannot commit to a lengthy course. You can find several on-demand web development courses that will fit your busy schedule. On-demand courses are available in all skill levels and several different programming languages. You may find some free introductory courses, but the majority of the courses will require some upfront fee ranging from $100 to about $1000. The more expensive a program is, the more resources are available. These courses may also be asynchronous: you can take the course when you have the time to devote, but it is still an entire course. Other courses will require you to purchase a platform subscription. 

Comparison of PHP & MySQL Training Formats

It can be overwhelming when deciding which training format works best for you, and you may need help knowing where to begin. With each format's benefits and drawbacks, knowing the best fit for you may be challenging. 

Attending live classes, either in-person or online, will provide the most engaging and interactive training. Live classes provide students with training from masters of the field, immediate feedback, and peer interaction. Choosing an in-person course allows networking opportunities and labs with up-to-date software. Live online training provides more flexibility with scheduling, and you can attend the class from anywhere. 

Choosing on-demand courses provides a way to start learning for those with little free time. These self-paced courses are more budget-friendly; however, you miss out on the other benefits of live training and risk receiving outdated information.

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself PHP & MySQL?

Both languages are open-source and can be downloaded for free, eliminating the need for upfront costs. Since PHP and MySQL have been available to the public for over 20 years, there are various recourses and communities to find mentors. Because of this, you can teach yourself how to use PHP and MySQL; however, choosing to teach yourself, as with any skill, will take much longer.

You can teach yourself the basics with the resources that are available for free. However, learning to code is challenging, and you may find yourself in a position where you get stuck. To avoid this, you should enroll in a structured class. Doing so will allow you to ask questions and work with your peers to get through difficult concepts. Enrolling in courses can also cut your learning time down drastically. Teaching yourself could take years to fully grasp PHP and MySQL. Enrolling in a training course can have you proficient in the languages in under a year. 

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn PHP & MySQL

With various languages to learn within web development, you may wonder about the best way to start learning the language. When deciding which learning method to use, remember why you want to start learning and what you want to accomplish with your training. Noble Desktop's Intro to WordPress for Developers free seminar introduces students to the simple and easy-to-learn programming language PHP. As a beginner to web development, this can be a great place to start, as this prerecorded class provides the basics of this language in a low-risk environment. If you decide that PHP or programming is wrong for you, you lose nothing but time by enrolling in one of these courses. 

If you want a training program to enhance your current career or position, consider enrolling in a bootcamp. Noble Desktop offers a PHP and MySQL bootcamp that dives into the server-side language and database system to create dynamic websites. You may check out Noble's other web development bootcamps to learn other languages. Bootcamps are a more expensive option; they range from $1000 to over $4000, depending on the school and length of the program. However, bootcamps allow you to learn a new skill quickly, allowing a faster move up in your career. 

For those who seek a new career or to change industries, consider a certificate program. Noble offers a JavaScript Development Certificate and a Python Developer Certificate. These courses provide students with in-depth training on the back end programming languages. These certificate courses will be the most expensive option; however, students will leave these courses with the necessary skills to jump into a new web development career. 

Determining which method will work for you can be stressful initially; however, deciding which way to go early will save you time and money in the long run. As you decide, consider looking for programs that will be manageable for your budget and schedule. To be the most successful, you should avoid putting yourself in a high-stress position, as that will not allow you to retain the information in the classes. You can start small with the free courses and resources and pivot to a different method if and when needed. 

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 some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS. 

Those interested in learning other back end web development languages to start their web development career should 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!