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PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) a server-side scripting language, which helps in the construction of websites and applications is still felt today. Online courses can help a person just starting to code or even any expert developer in order to perfect their skills in this area. The article describes some of the best online courses that one can take up in 2024 to learn PHP, together with its details of content, features, and benefits.
Provider: University of Michigan (Coursera)
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Duration: 16 hours
Instructor: Charles Severance
Course Overview
"Web Applications for Everybody" is a beginner-friendly course offered by the University of Michigan through Coursera. Taught by Dr. Charles Severance, a renowned educator and author, this course is part of a larger specialization that covers the basics of web application development, focusing on PHP, SQL, and JavaScript.
The course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in PHP and web development. It covers essential topics such as:
1. Introduction to PHP syntax and variables
2. Working with forms and handling user input
3. Connecting to MySQL databases and performing CRUD operations
4. Building dynamic web pages with PHP
5. Using session management and authentication
Key Features
1. Hands-On Projects: The course includes several hands-on projects that allow students to apply what they have learned in real-world scenarios. These projects involve building simple web applications and integrating PHP with MySQL.
2. Interactive Quizzes: To reinforce learning, the course includes interactive quizzes that test your understanding of key concepts.
3. Community Support: As part of the Coursera platform, you can interact with fellow learners and seek help from the community through discussion forums.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is ideal for beginners who are new to PHP and web development. It provides a thorough introduction to the language and its use in building dynamic web applications. By the end of the course, you will have a strong understanding of PHP and be able to create basic web applications from scratch.
Provider: LearnQuest (Coursera)
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 12 hours
Instructor: Sandro Henriquez
Course Overview
Laravel is one of the most popular PHP frameworks, known for its elegant syntax and robust features that simplify the process of building web applications. The "Laravel Framework and PHP" course offered by LearnQuest on Coursera is designed for developers who have a basic understanding of PHP and want to learn how to use Laravel to build modern, scalable web applications.
This course covers the following topics:
1. Introduction to the Laravel framework and its ecosystem
2. Setting up a Laravel development environment
3. Routing and middleware in Laravel
4. Working with Blade templates for front-end development
5. Building RESTful APIs with Laravel
6. Database migrations, seeders, and Eloquent ORM
Key Features
1. Project-Based Learning: The course includes a capstone project where students build a fully functional web application using Laravel. This hands-on approach reinforces the concepts learned throughout the course.
2. Code Examples and Exercises: The course provides numerous code examples and exercises
3. Expert Instruction: The instructor, Sandro Henriquez, is an experienced software developer with expertise in PHP and Laravel.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is suitable for intermediate PHP developers who want to learn how to use the Laravel framework to build web applications. It is recommended that students have prior experience with PHP before taking this course, as it builds on fundamental PHP concepts and introduces more advanced topics related to Laravel.
Provider: Udemy
Level: Beginner
Duration: 37 hours
Instructor: Edwin Diaz
Course Overview
"PHP for Beginners – Become a PHP Master" is a comprehensive course offered on Udemy that covers everything a beginner needs to know about PHP. Taught by Edwin Diaz, a professional web developer and educator, this course is one of the most popular PHP courses on Udemy, with thousands of students enrolled.
The course covers a wide range of topics, including:
1. Introduction to PHP and setting up a development environment
2. PHP syntax, variables, data types, and operators
3. Control structures and loops
4. Functions, arrays, and form handling
5. Working with MySQL databases and performing CRUD operations
6. Building a content management system (CMS) with PHP and MySQL
7. Introduction to object-oriented programming (OOP) in PHP
Key Features
1. Lifetime Access: Once enrolled, students have lifetime access to the course content, allowing them to learn at their own pace and revisit the material whenever needed.
2. Quizzes and Assignments: The course includes quizzes and coding assignments to help reinforce the concepts covered in each section.
3. Certificate of Completion: Upon completing the course, students receive a certificate of completion, which can be added to their professional portfolio or resume.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is perfect for absolute beginners who want to learn PHP from scratch. It provides a thorough introduction to the language and covers both procedural and object-oriented programming. By the end of the course, students will have the skills to build dynamic web applications and databases using PHP.
Provider: Udemy
Level: Beginner
Duration: 5.5 hours
Instructor: Robin Haney
Course Overview
"PHP for Beginners – PHP Crash Course 2021" is a shorter, more focused course designed to teach beginners the basics of PHP in a short amount of time. Taught by Robin Haney, a professional web developer, this course is ideal for those who want a quick introduction to PHP without getting bogged down in too much detail.
The course covers essential PHP topics, including:
1. Introduction to PHP and its syntax
2. Working with variables, arrays, and loops
3. Functions and form handling
4. Introduction to MySQL and database integration
5. Basic error handling and debugging in PHP
Key Features
1. Short and Focused: The course is designed to be concise and to the point, making it ideal for learners who want to get up and running with PHP quickly.
2. Practical Examples: The course includes practical examples and exercises to help students apply what they have learned in real-world scenarios.
3. Lifetime Access: Students have lifetime access to the course content, allowing them to review the material as needed.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is suitable for beginners who are looking for a quick and easy introduction to PHP. It’s perfect for those who want to learn the basics of PHP in a short period of time and start building simple web applications right away.
Provider: Udemy
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 9.5 hours
Instructor: Dave Hollingworth
Course Overview
"Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in PHP – Build a Project" is an intermediate-level course on Udemy that focuses on teaching PHP’s object-oriented programming (OOP) paradigm. Taught by Dave Hollingworth, a seasoned software developer, this course is designed for those who have a basic understanding of PHP and want to learn how to apply OOP principles in their projects.
The course covers the following topics:
1.Introduction to object-oriented programming in PHP
2. Classes, objects, properties, and methods
3. Inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism
4. Using interfaces and abstract classes
5. Building a complete web application using OOP principles
6. Introduction to design patterns in PHP
Key Features
1. Project-Based Learning: The course includes a hands-on project where students build a complete web application using object-oriented programming principles. This practical approach helps solidify the concepts learned throughout the course.
2. Detailed Explanations: The instructor provides clear and detailed explanations of OOP concepts, making it easier for students to grasp the material.
3. Lifetime Access: Students have lifetime access to the course, allowing them to learn at their own pace and revisit the material as needed.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is ideal for intermediate PHP developers who want to deepen their understanding of object-oriented programming and apply OOP principles to their projects. It’s also suitable for those who want to learn how to build more scalable and maintainable web applications using PHP.
Provider: Codecademy
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Duration: Self-paced (Approx. 10-15 hours)
Instructor: Codecademy Staff
Course Overview
Codecademy’s "PHP Skill Path" is an interactive, self-paced course designed to teach PHP fundamentals through hands-on coding exercises. This course is part of Codecademy’s broader platform, which offers a wide range of programming courses. The PHP Skill Path is designed to take beginners through the basics of PHP and gradually introduce more advanced topics.
The course covers:
1. Introduction to PHP syntax and variables
2. Working with control structures and loops
3. Functions and arrays in PHP
4. Form handling and validation
5. Introduction to object-oriented programming in PHP
6. Connecting PHP to a MySQL database
Key Features
1. Interactive Learning: Codecademy’s platform is known for its interactive learning approach, where students write and execute code directly in the browser. This hands-on experience is invaluable for beginners learning PHP.
2. Instant Feedback: As you progress through the exercises, Codecademy provides instant feedback on your code, helping you correct mistakes and understand concepts more effectively.
3. Projects and Quizzes: The course includes projects and quizzes to reinforce learning and allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Who Should Take This Course?
The PHP Skill Path on Codecademy is ideal for beginners who prefer a hands-on, interactive approach to learning. It’s also suitable for those who want a structured path to learning PHP, with the flexibility to progress at their own pace.
Provider: MyGreatLearning
Level: Beginner
Duration: 3 hours
Instructor: Great Learning Staff
Course Overview
The "PHP Course" offered by MyGreatLearning is a free, beginner-level course that provides a quick introduction to PHP. This course is designed to cover the fundamentals of PHP in a short amount of time, making it accessible to those who are new to programming and want to explore PHP without committing to a lengthy course.
The course covers:
1. Introduction to PHP and setting up a development environment
2. Basic PHP syntax and variables
3. Control structures, loops, and functions
4. Working with forms and user input
5. Introduction to MySQL and database integration
Key Features
1. Free Access: This course is offered for free, making it an excellent option for learners who want to start with PHP without any financial commitment.
2. Short and Concise: The course is designed to be short and concise, providing a quick overview of PHP fundamentals.
3. Certificate of Completion: Upon completing the course, students receive a certificate of completion, which can be added to their resume or LinkedIn profile.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is suitable for beginners who want a quick and free introduction to PHP. It’s perfect for those who are exploring different programming languages and want to get a basic understanding of PHP before diving deeper.
Online PHP courses open vast opportunities in enhancing skills, furthering careers, and fostering personal growth. The above courses will give you various learning options, from absolute basics to refreshing and building on prior knowledge. Get the right course for you to be successful in this fast-moving web development world, from interactive platforms like Codecademy to university-backed programs on Coursera.
In selecting any course, make sure you have considered the factors which touch on the best level of skills suitable for the course, preferred learning style, and career objectives that will help in picking your best option for educational pursuit.
