Hot PHP How-Tos


How To: Create a simple view counter with PHP and MySQL
In this clip, you'll learn how to create a simple vieew counter using PHP and MySQL. Whether you're new to the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look

How To: Use PHP to create a session class to keep track of users
In this clip, you'll learn how to create a session class with PHP to track users on your website. Whether you're new to the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Create PDO's (PHP Database Objects) in PHP
Learn to work with PDO in PHP with this informative video tutorial from JREAMdesign. The PDO extension is a consistent interface for accessing several types of databases in PHP and it has a ton of options. This knowledge is also required for Zend Certification.

How To: Use SimpleXML to load XML into PHP
Learn to utilize SimpleXML in this PHP tutorial to load and access XML from within PHP. This video shows how to load an XML file into a PHP array variable and get values from within that array. This informative video from JREAMdesign shows you step by step.

How To: Make calculations with the Pythagorean theorem when coding in PHP
In this clip, you'll learn how to employ the Pythagorean theorem with PHP to make triangle calculations. Whether you're new to the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Display the results of a MySQL query over multiple pages
In this clip, you'll learn how to use pagination—that is, to view the results of a MySQL query over multiple pages. Whether you're new to the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look

How To: Build a good reusable PHP library with organization & consistency
One of the things you'll need for a successful future in programming is a great re-usable library of code. In order to achieve that you'll need to practice strict organization and consistency with your coding. This tutorial shows you how to do both, and help up your PHP proramming potential.

How To: Create active-page button links with CSS and PHP
In this clip, you'll learn how to use PHP and CSS to generate active-page button links for your website. Whether you're new to CSS and the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Protect Your PHP Website from SQL Injection Hacks
As a web developer, I often read articles about hackers (from the lowly to the knowledgeable) infiltrating websites via the dreaded 'SQL Injection' method and completely taking control, changing, gaining access, or destroying the owner's data. As a fellow web developer, I'm sure you want to know how to protect against it. Well, here it is! In this article, you will find out what SQL Injection is, what you can do to protect against it, and additional recommendations that are easy to do and onl...

How To: Retrieve GPS Data from JPG Image Files Using Exif and PHP
Technology: The Less You Know the Better?

How To: Add a private messaging system to your PHP/MySQL based website
Allow for your community to grow and expand by adding in a private messaging system to your website. Even if you're not experienced with PHP or MySQL, this tutorial walks you through the process of setting up the messaging system.

How To: Create a simple form letter when programming in PHP
In this clip, you'll learn how to employ variables and arrays to generate a form letter when coding in PHP. Whether you're new to the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Create cookies and track sessions with the PHP scripting language
In this clip, you'll learn how to create cookies with PHP. Whether you're new to the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Create modules with PHP for your website
Many sites do not use any fancy Content Managment System (CMS) to generate their pages, they are just just good ol' static HTML content. A site for your grandmothers pie baking business probably only has a few pages, perhaps a homepage, about page, and contact page. Each of these pages has different main content, but much of it stays exactly the same, like the header, navigation, and footer. Think of these sections as "modules" that you can easily use PHP to insert into the page. This way, ma...

How To: Make an object oriented validator class with PHP programming
This video how-to is a good intro for beginners, helping them understand the creation of an object oriented validator class. This can all sound confusing, so follow the example and learn how to add it to your coding quiver.

How To: Create an RSS feed with pHP using DomDocument
This tutorial teaches you how to create an RSS feed with PHP using DomDocument. You can generate the items with a database loop, and this example uses a very simple array. Take a few minutes and add some more knowledge to your PHP world.

How To: Use post, get and request superglobal variables in PHP programming
This tutorial provides some more useful information for PHP beginners. You'll get a quick overview about post, get and request superglobal variables. From this you'll learn how to handle a URL and a form. Don't be shy, jump in and see if PHP is right for you.

How To: Use composition instead of inheritance in PHP
While inheritance is very useful within PHP and OOP, it is notably better to favor composition over inheritance. In this video walkthrough, JREAMdesign demonstrates the composition concept with interrelated functions, and also shows a way of logically organizing the resultant files.

How To: Use PHP array programming to make a user agent sniff script
OK, so visitors are coming to your website and they're even leaving comments! Now, with some simple PHP array programming you can find out what browser and OS they're using. This tutorial shows you how to create a simple and efficient user agent sniff script to get the information you want. Sniff, sniff. Is that Chrome running on OS X I smell?

How To: Incorporate Google Maps into your website
You can set up a dynamically driven Google Map widget that can display any sort of information - such as displaying a user's location based on what they have entered into their profile. This is a useful and interactive feature for any PHP/MySQL based website.

How To: Develop a social networking community website with PHP, MySQL & ActionScript 3
Have you ever thought of building your own social networking site? Before you get to making websites like Facebook, you need to start off smaller, and this 29-part video series is where to begin with developing a social networking community website . Before you start with these lessons though, make sure you have all the following:

How To: Install WAMP and create a MySQL database
This tutorial covers installing the WAMP (that is, Windows-Apache-MySQL-PHP) all-in-one package and creating a MySQL database using the import function of phpMyAdmin. For step-by-step instructions on the WAMP installation process, or to get started installing your own WAMP serve, take a look.

How To: Create a user login and set cookies with PHP
A PHP programming tutorial on creating a User Login and setting cookies.

How To: Generate a tag cloud from a PHP array
How to generate a tag cloud - a collection of tags that displays keywords in different sizes based on their frequency of use - using PHP.

How To: Execute a Basic SQL Query Using dbForge Studio GUI for MySQL
If you need to build a SQL query, you can choose one of two alternatives. The first and a rather old way is using a console. But if you build your queries in MySQL console, you have to remember all the commands and keys. This is not a convenient way, because query execution is a time-consuming process. Another way is to use some graphical interfaces for MySQL. It can fulfill many developers' requirements, including query execution.

How To: Download and install MAMP on your Mac so you can run web sites
If you are looking to operate a web site from your Mac, MAMP- a package of free web software programs- is an elegant solution. This video will show you how to configure MAMP on your computer, so you can get on your way running your sites.

How To: Use class inheritance with PHP OOP programming
This tutorial for PHP beginners introduces the viewer to the concept of class inheritance. As your coding career takes off, you'll need to know as many ways to work efficently and code with speed to save time and money. Check it!

How To: Use a singleton pattern in PHP programming
This PHP newbie video with teach you what a Singleton Pattern is and how to use it in your PHP programming. PHP OOP Singleton is great for a database connection when you only want one consistent connection in your application. So, to prevent wasting space accidentally by calling it twice in different areas, this is good way to protect it. Singleton is very popular and used often in Database Connections.

How To: Create a simple login script with PHP programming
In this tutorial you'll learn about a simple PHP login script that serves to check your MySQL database against a user/password. The code in this video is a quick and dirty procedural code, but it's enough to get you going so you can try it out yourself.

How To: Use the Smarty Template Engine with PHP programming
In this PHP how-to tutorial you'll learn how to get started using Smarty Template Engine for PHP. This is a basic intro for PHP coding newbies, so if you're a pro, move on. If you're not a pro, watch the vid and get a little closer.

How To: Use the switch statement and ternary operator for PHP OOP programming
This quick little video teaches you about the switch statement and ternary operator for use with your PHP programming. It's quick so you may want to take notes to ensure it's all sticking in your gray matter hard drive. Go!

How To: Use string manipulation with PHP OOP programming
This tutorial provides a quick and clear example of how string manipulation works. A string is a line of text, and once you're up to your elbows in zeros and ones, you'll want to do lots of manipulation. Let's get digital, digital.

How To: Use Yahoo media player in your PHP programming to play mp3s
If you're programming with PHP and you generate a list of music files, you'll want to find a way to play them. This video shows how to use the Yahoo Media Player to play the list of mp3s you've created, with your PHP coding.

How To: Make a simple calculator with Scope in PHP OOP programming
In this video, you'll use Scope and create a simple calculator while learning a little about private, public and protected properties in OOP programming. If you're looking to bone up your PHP coding skills you'll want to check this video out.

How To: Set up private properties and private methods with PHP OOP programming
In this tutorial, learn to setup private properties(variables) and private methods(functions) with your PHP OOP programming. This tutorial will have the file logger run through some private methods. Check it out and open the door to the world of PHP programming.

How To: Program faster with some PHP speed tips
If you're looking to shave a few milliseconds off the Zend Engine's work load, check out this tutorial for some PHP programming speed tips. This efficency will pay off when you have tons of traffic to your site and save you valuable server resources.

How To: Use abstract classes when programming with PHP OOP
Abstract classes can not be created and should be thought of as template classes. If you're programming in PHP OOP, check out this tutorial to get and idea of what abstract classes are and how to use them. Good luck!

How To: Use Static Classes in PHP OOP programming
When coding with PHP OOP you may encounter the need for static methods or static classes. This tutorial will give you an overview of how to use these functions and when you should use them at all. Get coding people!

How To: Craete Magic Methods inside of objects with OOP programming
If you're doing some OOP programming you can use Magic Methods to help you out. This tutorial will show you three of the methods and they all have good uses if you need them. Magic methods alwasys start with two underscores!

How To: Use encapsulation with your PHP OOP programming
When you're doing PHP programming, you'll likely want to have some regions that are strictly off limits to the user and should be accessible only to the programmer. This is when you'll want to use encapsulation to create an area within your coding that's for your eyes only.