Beginner's Project?

[Max C.]

What's a good beginners project in PHP?

I just recently learned the language and I really want to get good, maybe code up some MyPlaza modules, edit some of Labrocca's to fit my needs, without having to bother him.

Any suggestions?

[damink]

Gday Elegant. Super mod i see. LOL. Wow. Good on ya mate. So you want a project? You want someone to suggest one for you?
Ok simple hit counter would be first. Nice and easy. Then a mathematical script. Perhaps a $ converter. Also simple.
Then something a little more difficult like an upload script. Then perhaps a guestbook. Dunno list could go on and on.

[inet411.com]

damink is exactly right!

I would personally start on your own scripts before attempting mods on others.
It's give and take though, some programmers learn better working from scratch while others from tinkering with existing scripts.

Assuming you are completely new to php:
I would suggest starting with a guestbook.
beginner:
1. a form for users to fill out (name, email, url and comment)
2. store the data in a database
3. pull data from the database and display the last 10 comments.
novice:
4. secure the form and check that all fields are filled out.
5. when displaying the data - automatically make all the urls hyperlinks.
advanded:
6. a pagination scripts. i.e. page 1, page 2, page 3 etc.. each page only showing 10 results per page.
7. convert any urls in the comment to hyperlinks.

When your done post the page url here and we can all test it out for you.
By doing the above you will learn:
php security, mysql queries, sorting and limiting data, loops, parsing text, converting strings, some regex (converting comment urls to links), and a few other things.
This will give you a good general overview of what you can do with php and what you still need to learn.

... once your done with that you could add an uploader (posters could add an attachment), then a hit counter, then a messaging system... getting over zealous here but upon completion of your own guestbook you should be able to make and modify some basic BBmods.

[Labrocca]

I think the idea of creating stuff you actually want is the way to go. You will have a clearer idea of what you want and next you just learn how to do it. If you do a project that you won't use it's sort of a waste of time in my view.

[Max C.]

Good point, I'll find somethin then

[AlecGar]

When i was learning PHP i made a small CMS (Content Management system) i just kept adding different uses i don't use it, actually i don't know where it is, but it helped me learn CSS, Javascript, Ajax and PHP also mysql, it also helps teach you to make your applications dynamic.

[NinjaGeek]

I'll agree with Labrocca

Mostly when you start learning, the author of the tutorial or a book will tell you to start small.
I can only say get a very good view of what you want, and then learn how you do that.

I've started learning php the same day I started writing an PHP MMORPG
I was ready to work on my own after 2-3 moths of learning.

If you need help just ask me and I'll try to help.

[Aryan]

Think outside the box. Don't edit others mods while you can make your own! Just check out MyBBoard's ideas section and pick an easy one. And remember, practice makes perfect!

[parul1234]

You can start with some basic sites and go further with that ...