Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Design and Content : I am soooo confused

[Roney]

I have always wanted to start my own website but due to procrastination and financial restrictions that has always seemed as a far fetched dream. Anyway ever since I stumbled on this website my intrest for web designing has trebled and I have gotten to a stage whereby I feel I could design my own website. I have as a result taken advise and signed up for one of the free tripod websites but I have hit a couple of stumbling blocks.

1) There are a couple of tools Php4u with MySQL, Webftp and front page - now the question is am I supposed to use all these tools to design my websiteor am I suposed to master just one

2) I am learning Php4u using the tutorial, the MySql bit went alright by the way but the Php thing confuses me. I mean I cant make the easiest of all php commands work. The tutorial says

Create a file called test.php with the following line:

<?php print(Date("l F d,Y")); ?>

Store this file in your Web documents directory and open it with your browser. You will then see a HTML page with the current date, as shown below:

Saturday September 16,2006

Where am I supposed to write this script - is there a special program I should install to do this. I wrote it on widows notepad and saved it as a test.php but I was supposd to save it in "Web documents directory" - how do I find this directory.

3) I like practical learning - hands on - and I was wondering if Tripod was the best way to learn or there were far better sites

Thanks

[duplu]

You'll need to upload the php file to some webspace that supports php/mysql or alternatively install a web server environment on your PC. I would suggest just using a free host for testing out php/mysql. You could try http://www.xeepo.com they support php/mysql.

If you want to install something on your PC then try a product called XAMMP

[WWMNET]

Well everytool is separate. you really cant design PHP pages on FrontPage. Of course you need mySQL.

You can use Dreamweaver and it can do alot for you not only in the design part but the development part as well.

[Roney]

Originally Posted by WWMNET

Well everytool is separate. you really cant design PHP pages on FrontPage. Of course you need mySQL.

You can use Dreamweaver and it can do alot for you not only in the design part but the development part as well.

So in your opinion which is the best one? PHP/MySQL or Frontpage

[Aradorn]

You may want to concentrate on developing some basic HTML skills before moving onto a scripting language such as php.

Perhaps start off with a WYSIWYG type application such as Front Page and have a go at building a static type site.

Run a local server, to do all your developing/experimenting on, this in itself will also add to your learning curve. Then when you think you are ready to release your creations on the world move your site(s) to a public web server.

I mean no offence by this so please don't take it the wrong way as I am only making assumptions about your current skill level from what you have posted.

At the end of the day, have fun, that's the most important part.