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Idan Melamed
16,285 PointsWhat should I learn?
Hi guys,
My friends and I are having a friendly bet for the coming UEFA Euro 2016. We usually keep score with Excel sheets and I thought it's time we create a website, so we can work more magic on the data.
I already taken quite a few courses on HTML and CSS, so I think I can create the structure and styling for the site.
In order for my friends to submit their bets and to display data from a database, I'm guessing I should to learn SQL (I'll probably use MySQL) and PHP.
Anything else I should study? Are there any specific courses you think I should focus on?
Kindly, Idan.
6 Answers
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsHi Idan,
It sounds like you have a pretty good understanding of the tools required for this project. You could create this project from scratch using a dynamic language like PHP and communicate with a database using SQL.
However, I would recommend having a look at some Wordpress plugins first, you might find that this project has already been created by someone and you could have it up and running in no time.
Have a look at these links:
- https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/betpress/
- https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/bettor/
- https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/fantasy-sports/
If you want to learn PHP and want to practice your skills, then by all means create this project from scratch and have some fun :D
Hope this advice helps
Idan Melamed
16,285 PointsHi John, Great avatar! :-)
I think I'll take the challenge and code it with HTML, Bootstrap, MySQL and PHP (by using everything I'm learning here). Thanks for the plugin suggestions, I'll be sure to check them out if I change my mind.
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsHaha thanks Idan :P
Okay, good idea if you want to practice what you are learning. It's a great way to learn to challenge yourself with a project.
Let me know if you need any assistance. I avoid using PHP as I much prefer Ruby, but I can help with any HTML/CSS if you require assistance
Good luck & have fun!
Idan Melamed
16,285 PointsI don't know any of the server side languages yet... Are there any benefits for using Ruby or Python instead of PHP?
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsI personally love Ruby as a language. It's fairly easy to learn and has some incredible frameworks like Rails or Sinatra that do a lot of the work for you. If you ever want to build great web applications then I would recommend having a look at Ruby (Rails) or Python (Django).
For making dynamic websites and for Wordpress, PHP is a great choice and is still the most widely used option (so job prospects are good).
Idan Melamed
16,285 PointsThe major benefit for working with PHP, in my opinion, is that WordPress uses it and if I learn PHP it will be easier to also work with WordPress later on.
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsYep, you're absolutely right. Wordpress is fantastic, and there are loads of jobs demanding Wordpress developers out there. As a language I don't actually like PHP, but thats just a personal thing :D
Idan Melamed
16,285 PointsI'm not sure anymore... I hear so many people who prefer Ruby and Python, that I'm thinking that they might be better to learn.
Is there a difference between a web application and a dynamic website?
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsWhen I refer to a dynamic website, I just mean a site that sends and receives information to and from a database.
By web application, I mean a piece of software that does not need to be downloaded but can be accessed through your browser (Facebook, Treehouse, eBay, Gmail, Slack etc).
Hope this makes more sense.
With regards to Ruby, Python and PHP, really it depends on your personal preferences/requirements.
Pretty much everything you want to do could be accomplished by using one of those languages or a framework. Don't think that I am suggesting that PHP is inadequate (not at all, see the laravel framework), but I personally prefer writing the Ruby language and using Ruby on Rails to build products.
Idan Melamed
16,285 PointsHi John, Just wanted to say that after your help here I feel more hopeful about finishing this project in the next two weeks.
I will go with PHP for this project, and later on I will think if I want to learn Python or Ruby, because I can already see how PHP is less "coding friendly.
Cheers, Idan.
John Steer-Fowler
Courses Plus Student 11,734 PointsOkay, sounds like a good plan.
Good luck Idan