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PHP PHP Basics (Retired) PHP Conditionals & Loops Conditionals

Posted by Brandon Gibbs
Brandon Gibbs
9,636 Points

So... this is the second video that seems like it is following something that has been left out. For instance...

He starts this video by saying that we've seen "IF Statements" before... SO far, in this php course, we have not....unless I've just managed to pass all the test so far without seeing that at all, which is HIGHLY unlikely.

So far, no harm no foul as he seems to cover this "again" (just as before with the print_r() earlier that he said we "used earlier" but we had not yet covered either).

My point... I think you guys are either missing content... or you have things moved around in a way that is leaving us sitting in a video session that assumes we've seen something that, in fact, we have not. This is quite annoying. If I had not had previous exposure to php, I would be freaking out right now... or just lost in the sauce.

6 Answers

Brandon Gibbs
Brandon Gibbs
9,636 Points

After speaking with support and the person that is responsible for bringing out a new set of php courses, they are also aware. They are working to get a new course out that, if I'm not mistaken, will replace many... if not all of the current php courses. The support and teaching staff both seem highly dedicated to improving the experience on this site. I'm 100% impressed.

Daniel Dou
Daniel Dou
2,014 Points
Daniel Dou
Daniel Dou
2,014 Points

I see. I thought it was only me. Glad to hear that they'll replace the PHP videos.

I'm taking the PHP course after doing the HTML / CSS courses, so it was rather surprising how messy everything was. I was really impressed with the HTML / CSS courses, so the PHP was a bit of a let down. Ha ha.

Anyways, I'm learning a lot. Just that the disorganization makes me slap my head a bit.

Brandon Gibbs
Brandon Gibbs
9,636 Points

Oh yes.. the HTML/CSS content is well organized and has a great flow. If you like that the Javascript and Ruby are also VERY well done. If doing the Ruby track, I would suggest doing the Learn Ruby first... not the Ruby Development. There are fundamental things that are taught in the Learn Ruby that are not covered in the development track, even though it also starts with Ruby basics.

Daniel Dou
Daniel Dou
2,014 Points
Daniel Dou
Daniel Dou
2,014 Points

Cool! Thanks for the tips! Glad to hear that. :)

I'm probably going to start learning Javascript sometime soon. Not sure about Ruby.

I already know Python, and I think I like Python the best so far. But I want to build a web app. So I'm learning PHP at the moment, because it seems easier to plug and play into most websites and web hosts than Python.

Going to learn to build Python web app eventually, but thought I'd start with PHP first, since so many websites are using it.

D O
D O
7,353 Points
D O
D O
7,353 Points

I will agree with this comment. The beginner php section goes too fast for actual beginners. I am watching the vids to get the syntax but if I were new to this, I would be so lost. Plus, there need to be more coding challenges and the videos need to be shorter. i.e. introduce little chunk, test it, move on. So far this course is great if you have seen another language, or just haven't touched programming in a loooong time but still remember the basics. And to add - the JavaScript course on Treehouse covers everything and why you need to know it, so it would help to finish that course and THEN come here.

Francis Serpa
Francis Serpa
4,949 Points
Francis Serpa
Francis Serpa
4,949 Points

Yeah, I'm doing the same thing. I've know some JS and Ruby, so it's no big deal, but if this was my first exposure to a programming language, I think it'd be too fast.

Shafeeq Ahmed
Shafeeq Ahmed
6,058 Points
Shafeeq Ahmed
Shafeeq Ahmed
6,058 Points

I am glad that there is a community to talk otherwise I will be in dark because of these problems.

Josh Foster
Josh Foster
8,896 Points
Josh Foster
Josh Foster
8,896 Points

I have never used PHP before, and this section is making me freak out. It doesn't introduce concepts before using them, which was supposedly the entire point of the course. I may have to ditch this course and find one that actually explains things in linear order.

Christopher Wehkamp
Christopher Wehkamp
1,926 Points
Christopher Wehkamp
Christopher Wehkamp
1,926 Points

I've been thinking the same thing as all of you, this PHP course is disorganized and has holes in it. Especially when compared to the excellent HTML/CSS course that comes before it.

However, I've been making note of the terms and items which haven't ben covered (print_r, concatenation operator just now) so that I can fill-in more knowledge on these after completing the PHP course.

Calvin Miracle
Calvin Miracle
22,028 Points
Calvin Miracle
Calvin Miracle
22,028 Points

Hi Brandon,

I think the instructor assumes we've watched the JavaScript modules, or maybe modules from some other course.

If you've seen JavaScript's IF, it looks just like PHP's IF.

Take care!

-- Cal

Brandon Gibbs
Brandon Gibbs
9,636 Points

I would accept that, if this were not a video that is being placed within a track that only includes HTML (How to build a website) and then straight into PHP. Assuming that a student has information is a fault of the teacher, especially when we are paying... and the course says "beginner" and no previous coding knowledge required in the "trailer" to the track.

This is also the case when he refers to print_r (which is covered in a later block of the track where he says that they "haven't covered this yet, but will get into it later, but for now..." ... yet earlier in the course it throws it out there saying something to the effect of "as we covered earlier".

Again, it's a mis ordering of information... and for some that might not have previous exposure to php or languages like this... it can be confusing. I'm good... but I'm just speaking up for those that might see this and struggle.