5 Things I wish they had told me before I started programming in PHP is a raucous romp through PHP, covering not only mistakes that programmers make, but skills theyneed to make sure they master.5: Learn a framework. I don't care if you didn't write it, you're not (insert demigod programmer here) so quit thinking you've got it figured out. Frameworks exist fora reason and that reason it to give you the tools you need to do your job. If you are a carpenter, you don't go out and build your own circular saw before you start aproject, you use one already built. We will review the 5 most popular PHP frameworks.4: Learn that PHP is not (insert the language you last worked in). More importantly, we don't want it to be either. PHP is what it is, the best solution forweb project. The faster you learn that, the faster you will get things done. PHP is unique and proud of it.3: Learn where to get help. Help sites for PHP abound on the web. Anyone with a copy of Wordpress can start sharing the things that they've learned. Unfortunately,not all sites are created equally. If you are new to PHP, look to sites like phpdeveloper.org and DevZone as pointers to other good content. If you are an oldhand, here are a few sites you may not know about that will help you get going.2: Learn your stack. LAMP, WAMP, SAMP MAMP, or WIMP know the stack you are using inside and out. We'll cover the basics you have to know, from setting up a virtualdomain, directory structure stratigies to url re-writing and logging. We will look at a few offerings including Zend Server.1: Get Involved! (Dammit!) Getting involved in the community is not somethng you do because you are bored on a friday night. it's something you do because you wantto know more than the guy sitting in the cube next to you. You can either spend every night reading and memorizing the PHP manual, or you can get involved in thecommunity and start talking with the people white the language. Theya re out there, they don't usually bite and they will help you as long as you don't expect themto do your job for you. The next time you boss asks you about the new Date() features in PHP 5.3, you can reply "Let me ask Derick real quick."Take heed: Profanity may be present in this talk.
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This presentation was arguable the culmination of CodeWorks. Clever and witty talk about what PHP is and what it isn't. Every developer who aspires to be somebody in the PHP world should listen to this.
Also, great community building, thanks a lot for helping promote the local PHP groups, including the http://laphp.org/
Actually I have now way of knowing that because this was my first conference ever. But I will go to *any* conference in the future where Cal is speaking, and I would listen to this talk again if it was presented.
Cal took great pains to point out that this was a talk for beginners, but I have been writing PHP code for over 3 years, read/follow some of the big blogs and twitter feeds, and spread a bit of misinformation on php-general from time to time, and I thought this was still the most interesting and helpful talk of the day.
I think it's exactly the sort of back-to-basics stuff that everyone can benefit from reviewing, no matter where they are in their careers or how involved they are in the community.
Plus Cal's a blast to listen to. Perfect for the right-after-lunch slot.
I loved this talk and really appreciated his strong plugs for our LAPHP group. He is right, if you aren't involved in your community, you are missing out on something that can help your career tremendously. (e.g. I've hired former speakers for projects and referred many people for jobs or directed them to resources for learning more.)
Cal is the best natural speaker on the tour. Booming voice, very sharp guy but unlike top people in their field usually are (and Cal is tops), he does not have the tpe of personality that would intimidate beginners. That is so key to giving your audience the most benefit of your knowledge.
Great job Cal.
BTW, check out the review I'm about to do on Cal's Design Patterns talk.
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26.Sep.2009 at 20:46 by Oleg Baranovsky
This presentation was arguable the culmination of CodeWorks. Clever and witty talk about what PHP is and what it isn't. Every developer who aspires to be somebody in the PHP world should listen to this.
Also, great community building, thanks a lot for helping promote the local PHP groups, including the http://laphp.org/