How to learn php coding?

  • jkgourmet

    (@jkgourmet)


    16 years, 9 months ago

    In reading some of these posts and TRYING to use the volumes of information in CODEX, I’m beginning to suspect that I need to learn some coding (php, not html, right?) to fully utilize my WP sites. Can anyone sugget some help on this, please?

    I have available domain names to set up a testing (or playing) site to learn stuff without screwing up my current sites. But just don’t know where to start. No, I don’t know html or any other coding (though I took BASIC and COBOL in college decades ago. Not exactly helpful since about 1992.) And no, I don’t want to do fancy things – just change headers, colors, fonts and just understand all this better. I don’t mind paying for books, if that is a solution.

    You guys may think “Code is Poetry”, but to me the Poetry is written in Chinese! Thanks for any suggestions that can be provided.

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • figaro

    (@figaro)

    16 years, 9 months ago

    I’m beginning to suspect that I need to learn some coding (php, not html, right?)

    Not really. There are plenty of themes out there that will allow you to change just about anything you want without needing to do any php or css coding. This is the first one that comes to mind:

    http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/atahualpa

    If you do want to start learning some coding, I would suggest starting with a good intro to css book. Remember, php basically controls (or should control) the functioning of a site…css controls the “look and feel” of the site. So, css may be more directly related to what you want to do…at least in the beginning.

    Thread Starter jkgourmet

    (@jkgourmet)

    16 years, 9 months ago

    That’s VERY helpful. Thank you. Is is also css that conrols the placement of adsense ads and insertion of affiliate links?

    The Atahualpa theme looks and sounds terrific BUT is is the best theme for a total newbie to use? It looks bloody complicated. Would it make more sense to start with a simpler theme and maybe later change it to one of these nicer themes? (sorry if I sound dumb, but I’m getting analysis paralysis and bogged down in the muck of details and ignorance of the product).

    figaro

    (@figaro)

    16 years, 9 months ago

    Yes, in my opinion it would be better to start with a simple theme. I just pointed out Atahualpa because it allows you a great deal of control and customization without needing to be a coder.

    S.K

    (@kichu)

    16 years, 9 months ago

    You can think of soiling your hands with some excellent but simple theme frameworks available viz:

    1. Sandbox
    2. Thematic
    3. Theme Hybrid

    .. to quote a few.

    They provide the basic framework with valid and tested design with ample elbowroom for customization, and you can try and make “Child themes”.

    S.K

    Thread Starter jkgourmet

    (@jkgourmet)

    16 years, 9 months ago

    what is a child theme? I’ve seen the term, but it’s that foreign language that I keep referring to. . .

    S.K

    (@kichu)

    16 years, 9 months ago

    Perhaps you may try to do some legwork and visit the links I gave just now..!

    S.K

    Thread Starter jkgourmet

    (@jkgourmet)

    16 years, 9 months ago

    You’re right – thank you for the gentle reminder that I’VE got to ‘do the work.’

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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