PHP

PHP Course Overview

Objective:

To provide learners with the skills to build dynamic, data-driven websites and web applications using PHP, a popular server-side scripting language.

Course Structure:

1. Introduction to PHP
   • What is PHP?: Understanding PHP as a server-side scripting language.
   • Installation and Setup: Setting up PHP on local servers (XAMPP, WAMP, MAMP) and using online environments.
2. Basic PHP Syntax
   • PHP Tags: Opening and closing PHP tags.
   • Variables: Declaring and using variables.
   • Data Types: Understanding strings, integers, floats, and arrays.
   • Operators: Arithmetic, comparison, and logical operators.
3. Control Structures
   • Conditional Statements: if, else, elseif, and switch statements.
   • Loops: for, while, do-while, and foreach loops.
4. Functions
   • Defining Functions: Creating and calling functions.
   • Function Parameters and Return Values: Passing arguments and returning results.
   • Built-in Functions: Using PHP’s built-in functions.
5. Forms and User Input
   • Form Handling: Processing data from HTML forms.
   • GET vs POST: Differences and use cases.
   • Validation and Sanitization: Ensuring data integrity and security.
6. Working with Databases
   • MySQL Basics: Introduction to MySQL and setting up a database.
   • Connecting to MySQL: Using mysqli or PDO to connect to a database.
   • CRUD Operations: Creating, reading, updating, and deleting records.
   • Prepared Statements: Preventing SQL injection attacks.
7. Sessions and Cookies
   • Session Management: Starting, using, and destroying sessions.
   • Cookies: Setting, retrieving, and deleting cookies.
8. File Handling
   • Reading and Writing Files: Using PHP functions to handle file operations.
   • File Uploads: Handling file uploads through forms.
9. Error Handling and Debugging
   • Error Reporting: Configuring error reporting levels.
   • Debugging Techniques: Using var_dump(), print_r(), and other debugging tools.
10. Advanced PHP Topics
    • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Classes, objects, inheritance, and methods.
    • Namespaces and Autoloading: Managing large projects and dependencies.
    • MVC Frameworks: Introduction to PHP frameworks like Laravel or Symfony.
11. Best Practices and Security
    • Code Organization: Structuring code for readability and maintainability.
    • Security Practices: Protecting against common vulnerabilities (e.g., XSS, CSRF).
12. Project Development
    • Building a PHP Project: Applying learned concepts to develop a complete PHP application.
    • Project Deployment: Deploying your PHP application to a live server.

Materials Included:

• Course Handbook: Detailed guide and reference material.
• Sample Code: Examples and exercises for practice.
• Templates: Pre-made scripts and project templates.
• Video Tutorials: Instructional videos for visual learning.
• Practice Exercises: Hands-on activities and quizzes.

Requirements:

• Basic HTML/CSS Knowledge: Understanding of basic web technologies.
• Computer with Internet Access: For course materials and practical exercises.
• Local Development Environment: Installation of a local server like XAMPP or MAMP.