Beginner PHP course

Lesson 1 • What PHP Is and How It Works

PHP is a server-side language that generates dynamic HTML. This section explains the request-response cycle and where PHP fits in the web stack.

Lesson 2 • Setting Up a Local Development Environment

Install and configure a local server stack to run PHP on your machine. Proper setup prevents environment errors throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • PHP File Structure and Comments

Understand how PHP files are organized and how to annotate code for readability. Good structure habits reduce debugging time later.

Lesson 1 • Core Data Types in PHP

PHP supports several built-in types that determine how data is stored and processed. Recognizing each type prevents common logic errors.

Lesson 2 • Type Casting and Type Functions

Explicitly convert values between types to ensure predictable behavior. This section bridges loose typing with controlled data handling.

Lesson 3 • Declaring and Using Variables

Variables store data for reuse throughout a script. This section covers naming rules, assignment, and PHP's loose typing behavior.

Lesson 4 • Arithmetic and Assignment Operators

Perform calculations and update variable values using PHP's operator set. These operators form the basis of all numeric logic in scripts.

Lesson 1 • If, Else, and Elseif Statements

Branch script execution based on evaluated conditions. Conditionals are the primary tool for implementing business logic in PHP.

Lesson 2 • Loop Control: Break and Continue

Alter loop execution mid-cycle using break and continue. Fine-grained loop control improves both performance and code clarity.

Lesson 3 • Switch and Match Statements

Handle multiple discrete values cleanly with switch and the modern match expression. These structures replace long elseif chains.

Lesson 4 • For and Foreach Loops

Iterate over numeric ranges and collections with for and foreach. These loops are essential for processing arrays and data sets.

Lesson 1 • Parameters, Arguments, and Return Values

Pass data into functions and receive results back. Parameters and return values are the primary interface between functions and the rest of a script.

Lesson 2 • Variable Scope in Functions

Understand how PHP isolates variables inside functions from the global scope. Scope rules prevent unintended side effects in larger scripts.

Lesson 3 • Defining and Calling Functions

Create named functions and invoke them throughout a script. Functions encapsulate logic and make code easier to read and test.

Lesson 4 • Default Parameters and Variable Arguments

Make functions flexible with default values and variadic parameters. These features reduce the need for multiple similar function definitions.

Lesson 1 • Indexed and Associative Arrays

Store ordered lists and key-value pairs in PHP arrays. Arrays are the primary data structure for grouping related values.

Lesson 2 • String Interpolation and Heredoc

Embed variables directly in strings and write multi-line text blocks cleanly. These techniques improve readability in template-heavy code.

Lesson 3 • String Manipulation Techniques

Transform, search, and format strings using built-in functions. String handling is required in nearly every PHP application.

Lesson 4 • Multidimensional Arrays

Nest arrays inside arrays to represent complex data like tables and records. Multidimensional arrays model real-world data structures.

Lesson 1 • Sanitizing Input for Safety

Remove or encode dangerous characters from user input before use. Sanitization prevents injection attacks and data corruption.

Lesson 2 • HTML Forms and HTTP Methods

HTML forms send data to PHP scripts via GET or POST. Understanding HTTP methods determines how data is transmitted and accessed.

Lesson 3 • Validating User Input

Validate input before processing to enforce data integrity and prevent errors. Validation is the first line of defense in any form handler.

Lesson 4 • Other Useful Superglobals

PHP provides additional superglobals for server info, cookies, and sessions. Knowing each superglobal's purpose expands form-handling capability.

Lesson 1 • File Permissions and Error Handling

File operations can fail due to permissions or missing paths. Handling these errors gracefully prevents script crashes in production.

Lesson 2 • Connecting PHP to a Database with PDO

PDO provides a consistent, secure interface for connecting PHP to databases. A proper connection is the prerequisite for all database operations.

Lesson 3 • CRUD Operations with PDO

Execute SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE queries safely using prepared statements. CRUD operations are the foundation of any data-driven application.

Lesson 4 • Reading and Writing Files

PHP's file functions let scripts read configuration, logs, and data files. File I/O is essential when a database is unavailable or unnecessary.

Lesson 1 • Password Hashing and Secure Storage

Never store plain-text passwords; use PHP's built-in hashing functions instead. Proper password storage is a non-negotiable security requirement.

Lesson 2 • Common Web Security Vulnerabilities

Understand SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF at a conceptual and practical level. Awareness of these threats is the first step toward writing secure PHP.

Lesson 3 • Understanding HTTP State and Cookies

HTTP is stateless by default; cookies store small data on the client to persist state. This section explains cookie mechanics and appropriate use cases.

Lesson 4 • Building a Simple Login System

Combine forms, sessions, and database queries to authenticate users. This practical project ties together skills from previous chapters.