Useful Resources

This book was designed with the beginner in mind. The goal is to help you get a good grasp of the basics. It is by no means an exhaustive resource of PHP. You're likely going to need additional resources.

Pro tip!

Programming is a lifelong journey. It's not something you pick up in a few weeks/months and be on your way. It would be best if you dedicated some free time to continue learning and honing your skills.

Manual

There isn't a better place to learn more about PHP than the PHP manual, which you can be found here: https://www.php.net/docs.php

The PHP manual is written in various languages and is actively updated. Similar to the PHP interpreter, the manual is maintained by a group of volunteers, both paid and free.

RFCs

An RFC (Request for Comment) in PHP is a way for people to suggest new features or changes to the PHP programming language. The idea behind an RFC is to get feedback from other PHP users and developers to make sure the proposed changes are a good idea and make sense for the PHP community as a whole.

If a proposal gets a lot of positive feedback and support, it may be added to a future version of PHP. The RFC process helps ensure that language changes are well thought out and will benefit the most people possible.

The RFC process in PHP is an important part of the development and evolution of the language, allowing the community to play an active role in shaping the future of the language and ensuring that new features and changes are well-designed and widely supported.

You should consider checking out RFCs to learn what's possibly in store for the language. More information about the PHP RFC process can be found here: https://wiki.php.net/rfc/howto

New libraries, techniques, tips and tricks, and other pieces of information related to PHP are constantly being released on the internet. Searching for the latest PHP content can take time and effort.

Luckily, newsletters can be a great way to sift through what's essential and check out what's happening with the community.

The most popular PHP newsletter is PHP Weekly. You can check it out here: https://www.phpweekly.com/

Most developers who learn PHP do it so they can use WordPress or Laravel. If that sounds like you, you'll be pleased to hear these projects have their own newsletter that's worth checking out.

Even though this is a site dedicated to PHP, that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt to find out what's happening in other programming communities, especially web development communities. These newsletters are popular among frontend developers that you should consider checking out:

Developers to Follow

Following other popular PHP developers can be essential for anyone learning or working with PHP. PHP, like many other programming languages, continues to evolve. Popular developers are often involved in cutting-edge projects and are the first to know about updates, new features, or changes in the language. Following them helps you stay in touch with the latest trends and updates in PHP. Being involved in the PHP community allows you to connect with other developers. You might find collaboration opportunities, get help with your projects, or even find new opportunities for work or learning.

There are two great resources for finding other like-minded PHP developers:

PHP PaaS Providers

Finding hosting for your applications can be a difficult task. Luckily, there's a plethora of PaaS providers to help you with this task. PaaS stands for Platform as a Service.

Without PaaS, you would need to set up a server, install the operating system, configure the network settings, install PHP, a database, and any other software you need. You have to manage and maintain all of these things yourself.

A PaaS provider takes care of most of these tasks. They give you a ready-to-use platform where you can just focus on writing your PHP code and building your application. You don't have to worry about server setup, network configuration, or other underlying complexities. If your application becomes popular and needs to handle more users, the PaaS provider can easily add more resources to handle the increased load. The provider often takes care of security measures, ensuring that your application and data are protected.

Overall, a PaaS provider simplifies many of the technical aspects of developing a PHP application, allowing you to concentrate on coding and creativity.

Here are some PaaS providers for PHP:

Conferences

PHP conferences are gatherings where developers, experts, enthusiasts, and professionals come together to discuss, learn, and share knowledge about PHP. Conferences often feature workshops, talks, and presentations from experienced developers. They provide insights into the latest trends, best practices, and new features in PHP. Most importantly, they offer a chance to meet and connect with other PHP developers, including industry experts. These connections can lead to collaborations, mentorship, or even job opportunities.

PHP conferences are a valuable experience for growth, learning, networking, and inspiration in the world of PHP development. They offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the community, stay up-to-date with the latest in PHP, and enhance your skills through direct interaction with experts and peers.

Click for the latest PHP Conferences

ElePHPant (PHP Mascot)

The ElePHPant is the adorable blue (and sometimes other colors) mascot of the PHP programming language. It's a play on words, combining "elephant" with "PHP." Created by Vincent Pontier in 1998, the ElePHPant has become a symbol of the PHP community. You'll often find stuffed ElePHPant toys at PHP conferences and events, symbolizing the fun and community spirit of PHP developers.

Interestingly, there's an interview with Vincent Pointier, which you can find here: https://7php.com/elephpant/

Other Resources

Dev.to - A popular site for programmers to write blog posts for their favorite languages and frameworks (not just for PHP).
PHP Subreddit - A subreddit dedicated to discussing PHP-related topics.

Useful Resources

Pro tip!

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