I saw this comment in a Facebook group I’m in:
“I spent more than a year on learning and excelling in core php… But as I entered in job market… It’s useless… Completely useless…. Invest your time in php frameworks. And yes we can’t learn frameworks without learning basics”
First off, I feel this.
When I started, it took over 4 years to learn “core PHP”. I know, I’m an idiot, but things were a lot different back then. Anyway, by the time I learned it, all these frameworks like CodeIgniter and Laravel…
And, applications like WordPress and Drupal…
And, Slim PHP…
All these new things had grown up around me.
And, I felt like, “Aaaaaaaaaaah! Now I gotta learn all this s!@#, too!”
It’s frustrating.
But, here’s the deal.
In my opinion, the PHP path is this:
- Core PHP
- Object-Oriented Programming
- PHP framework (or application).
So, yours truly, for example. I obviously know core PHP and OOP in PHP. And, my “framework” (application really) is WordPress. Once you have that down, you’re pretty much set when it comes to PHP.
But, the big thing to remember is…
You don’t need to learn EVERY framework.
Or every application.
Just pick one and specialize in that.
Another thing… remember the job market is vast, diverse and regional. In some areas, it’ll be all Laravel. In others, CodeIgniter. In others, yet… it’s WordPress. If you freelance it’s core PHP and WordPress.
It just depends what YOU wanna do.
Finally, this is why I believe it’s so important to learn core PHP as quickly and as deeply, as possible. Because when you do, learning OOP and then a framework or application is a helluva lot easier.
And, I think this is where a lot of developers get stuck.
And where a lot of instructors miss the mark.
Because, they focus ON going fast.
Which actually slows you down.
We had a saying in the Army for all our training:
“Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”
To speed up, you need to actually focus on slowing down. Learning every detail until it’s crystal clear in your head before moving onto the next. Otherwise, you end up constantly having to re-learn basic ideas.
And, THAT is what makes learning to code take forever.
In any case, that’s why I teach my courses the way I do. And, explain the WHY behind everything we do and not just show you “what to write”. Sure, it’s a bit slower, at first. But, in my not-so-humble opinion…
You’ll end up learning PHP better than most developers ever will.
And, you naturally pick up speed as you go.
And, in the end, wind up learning the entire curriculum faster.
Anyway, you can get started with my complete PHP curriculum over on SkillShare. Start with my Beginner’s Guide to PHP course to learn core PHP then my Object-Oriented Programming In PHP course.
Then a series of project-based courses to solidify your learning…
PHP Forms.
A Sessions-Based PHP Login Script.
Blogging Application.
It’s all in there. And, you can get started with it all for nothing. Just go here to start the 2-month no-cost trial: https://www.skillshare.com/r/user/johnmorris. Take all the courses. Cancel before the 2 months is up and you never pay a penny.
Maybe the easiest way I know to get “learning PHP” knocked out.
Anyhoo, up to you.
Link is here: https://www.skillshare.com/r/user/johnmorris
Later,
John
