which php codes do i need for API

[php2heaven]

hello freinds, iam new to this forum and new to php.

 

i have just finished a course on html and css.

 

but now i have realised that its become comulsory for me to learn php.

 

but iam confused as to what ellements of php i should learn.

 

since this is a programming language i find its gonna be real tuff for me, can u plz advise as to which parts i should learn first to get going.

 

i wont be developing custom websites for customers, just for my own hobbies.

 

my main ambition is to utilise API's in my websites.

 

Thanx

[Anti-Moronic]

First of all, if you don't have ANY programming experience then you should start by searching for 'beginner tutorials'. Before you do read anything else here is the most important piece of information: validate what you read! This means search for 'best practice php', search for php tutorials in 2009/2010. Outdated sloppy code will turn you into an outdated sloppy coder!

 

To get some quick and dirty examples on how to use an API, you might search 'how to twitter api php'. Don't forget - check the date! Know best practice code so you can ignore tutorials which contain sloppy code.

 

Second, I'd say before you try 'third' below look for 'libraries' which are already implementing the API you want to use. For example if you want to use the twitter API, then search for 'best twitter api libraries php' or something like that. Keep searching until you find a decent library.

 

Third, you might want to check out the actual documentation. Links can usually be found in the footer for websites which allow api, failing that search: "twitter api" and click on links found on twitter.com.

 

 

To put the above into action:

 

http://www.tizag.com/phpT/

http://www.w3schools.com/php/php_intro.asp

http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/php/30-php-best-practices-for-beginners/

 

..and twitter:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/422879/best-twitter-php-library

http://woork.blogspot.com/2009/06/super-simple-way-to-work-with-twitter.html

http://apiwiki.twitter.com/w/page/22554650/Getting-Started

 

Learning how to research is an invaluable skill also. Always try to learn best practices. If someone says - "you need to use a mysql db for that". Type in google: "php mysql best practices". Validate the information etc etc

[php2heaven]

man i will remain indebted to u for the rest of my php future, ur advise is excellent, and the sites u refered me to are also bang on.

 

thanx a lot freind

 

keep up the good karma

 

[Anti-Moronic]

Very happy I could help! I wish someone warned me before I picked up bad habits before I started.

 

Whereas google *will* provide you very good material should you learn how to search for it, don't hesitate to ask other questions here. Even the smallest thing. Sometimes you need somebody to explain based on a very specific example for you to understand.

 

EDIT:

 

Sorry, something you should do asap is install WAMP/MAMP so you can test your php on your local computer without having to upload files etc.

 

This is also suggested in that brilliant article on tutsplus. In fact, just by reading that article in it's entirety and taking note of each point you'll already be a better developer than most.