[brendan hart]

Hey guys,
Im brendan hart, new to designers talk, currently im studying middleware which covers javascript, java, and sql, so far I have been doing it half a year and we havnt even started on sql databasing(shitting me up the wall), i was just wondering if any one knew a great place to learn java/sql at same time, I keep finding these stupid sites that only have java for proffesionals and nothing really beginner that includes sql, its really driving me crazy.

anyways any one got any tips, or want to even help me learn, because i want to learn at a faster pace than im learning at currently.

Also is php worth learning if im currently doing java? because i hear php is easy to learn.

anyways i wont be posting back for a while because i dont have internet at home anymore, maybe be back in 2 days at school.

[freelancr]

Haven't tried learning java mysql, but for anything I have wanted to teach myself I find a well recommended book on Amazon is the best way of approaching it.

Using resources on the internet as a reference, or to keep your knowledge topped up is good, but you risk learning bad habits and not covering the subject properly. Whereas a book catered for the beginner will give you a lot of background knowledge and will be teaching your step by step.

When you saw you want to learn Java, I assume you mean for the web, JSP? Don't confuse it will the application language. And SQL, though syntax is simular, which engine will you be learning to work with?

[Naatan]

Well you cant really compare Java to PHP can you? PHP is a web based programming language, and though you can run Java apps on a website, it is definitely not "web-based".

As to how to learn PHP quickly, take a simple free script from whatever website that adds, edits and deletes strings, such as a shoutbox or a guestbook, see how the script works and try making your own script out of it.. eg. download a php guestbook and try 'converting' it into say.. a news poster, with comments even.. it aint hard, its incredibly simple, all you need to learn is how to handle a submitted html form with php, and how to add/modify/delete items with php..

I strongly suggest you start out working with mysql straight away, flatfile sucks.

[brendan hart]

yeah i learn java apps for web, but i also use jsp in my class

[LazyMoon]

I've been learning PHP by myself for a few years now, but I just started Java at university.

PHP is really easy to pick up. There are a few nuances that I had to get used to when shifting from PHP to Java, that you will probably face when going from Java to PHP. But learning PHP with some prior programming experience is really easy.

Of course, you have to realize that PHP and Java are two seperate languages for different things. PHP is obviously a web based programming language and nothing else.

One thing that is kind of a pain in PHP is how classes are dealt with. Since in Java classes are practically the icing and the cake of how everything is done, it can be a pain in the behind to try and learn PHP's method, but its not that difficult once you get used to it.