PHP 4: Introduction

Upcoming Class Dates

Course Specifications

Course number: 077200
Course length: 1 Day

Course Description

Overview:   PHP 4: Introduction explores all of the major elements of PHP programming. With PHP, you can build dynamic, data-driven Web sites that use a variety of databases. Easy-to-understand code samples are used to demonstrate the many elements and techniques used in PHP programming.

Prerequisites:   To ensure your success, we recommend you first take the following Element K courses or have equivalent knowledge:

·           HTML Programming: Level 1

·           HTML Programming: Level 2

·           Introduction to Programming

·           SQL Fundamentals of Querying

Benefits:  After completing this course you will be able to immediately use PHP to create impressive Web sites.

Target student:  PHP 4: Introduction is designed for the student who is well versed in HTML, and who has had at least some experience with scripting languages and SQL. This is a serious programming course—it is not intended for students who have created Web sites only with a WYSIWYG editor (for example, MS FrontPage) and have never gotten into HTML coding by hand, let alone scripting or working with SQL databases.

Performance-Based Objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

·     Describe what PHP is and the advantages to creating Web sites with PHP.

·     Use variables, arrays, and functions in PHP scripts.

·     Include other files in PHP scripts and manipulate files and directories.

·     Process forms and validate their information.

·     Incorporate hidden form fields, cookies, and session variables in PHP scripts.

·     Add, update, and delete records in a database using PHP.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Introduction to PHP

          Topic 1A: What is PHP?

                   Task 1A-1: Understanding PHP

          Topic 1B: Basic Syntax of PHP

                   Task 1B-1: Writing Your First PHP Script

                   Task 1B-2: Incorporating HTML in PHP Scripts

                   Task 1B-3: Commenting Your PHP Code

Lesson 2: Common PHP Script Elements

          Topic 2A: Using Variables

                   Task 2A-1: Experimenting with Variables     

          Topic 2B: Working With Arrays

                   Task 2B-1: Creating an Associative Array

          Topic 2C: Using Functions

                   Task 2C-1: Exploring Functions

Lesson 3: File and Directory Handling

          Topic 3A: Including Files

                   Task 3A-1: Writing the Include Files

          Topic 3B: File Access

                   Task 3B-1: Creating a Hit Counter

                   Task 3B-2: Creating a Directory Navigation Script   

Lesson 4: Working With Forms

          Topic 4A: Processing Forms

                   Task 4A-1: Using Arrays to Process Form Information

          Topic 4B: Form Validation

                   Task 4B-1: Validating Form Data

                   Task 4B-2: Using the HTMLSpecialChars Function

          Topic 4C: E-Mailing Form Data

                   Task 4C-1: Adding E-Mail Functionality

Lesson 5: Addressing the Stateless Nature of HTTP

          Topic 5A: Hidden Form Fields

                   Task 5A-1: Using Hidden Form Fields

          Topic 5B: Cookies

                   Task 5B-1: Setting a Cookie

          Topic 5C: Sessions

                   Task 5C-1: Setting Session Variables

Lesson 6: Accessing Databases With PHP

          Topic 6A: Interacting With Databases

                   Task 6A-1: Connecting to the MySQL Server

                   Task 6A-2: Retrieving Data  

          Topic 6B: Modifying Database Records Using PHP

                   Task 6B-1: Adding a Record

                   Task 6B-2: Updating a Record in the Database