PHP very fast learning path

Question

I've got a job as .NET developer, when asked if i know PHP I lied about it. I need to learn PHP very fast. What book, course, video training would you recommend? Company is focusing on medium corporate sites.

Answer 1

Kevin Skoglunds video tutorials are pretty good - the second set will probably suffice if you have previous programming experience - http://www.lynda.com/home/ViewCourses.aspx?lpk1=104

Answer 2

This is a great starter for your situation. Quick and easy read.

PHP Turorial

ABSOLUTELY the first thing you should read

Answer 3

I'd brush up on

• php.net
• Zend Framework (lots of great code / design idioms)
• PEAR (& PECL while your at it)
• This book: http://www.amazon.com/PHP-Objects-Patterns-Practice-Second/dp/1590599098/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264454675&sr=8-3-spell
• Or this book: http://www.amazon.com/Learning-PHP-5-David-Sklar/dp/0596005601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264454692&sr=1-1

Also, if you really want to impress them let em know that,

PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor is a recursive acronym

hehe

Answer 4

The fastest way to learn a new language (one that you plan to actually use) is to...

Write Your First Application

Take an application you have already written (something simple), get any well-regarded reference book on PHP, and start porting your application to PHP... one block at a time, one line at a time. You will struggle at first -- looking up every single routine; learning the new semantics of the language -- but by time you are done, you will be far-and-away ahead of reading through an entire book or watching a video.

Reading (or watching) about a language is no substitution for hands-on experience, even when time is a factor.