How to start with php and mysql?

[marciar]

Hi!

Read your comments on asp vs. php. So what are the first steps for a newbie to start with either? Can I use php/mysql with an isp (on windows2k) that says they support ssi and php server extensions?

I want to use an html form (seems easy enuf) and store the info for a mailing list. In access? Need to append for now then as I learn about this stuff will want to update and delete. Is that alot? I am familiar with access but am willing to learn another way!

Is getting started the difficult part?

Thanks! :cool:

[jonathan C]

From what i have seen and what very little i know about asp/php, the one thing i do know is that it rocks. PHP is sooooo easy to learn. If your hosting provider advertised php, I would assume that they support it. The only problem i got is trying to run mysql on my computer cause i can't get apache to run.? Good luck.

[romeen]

Don't use Access with PHP if you don't have to. It is very well possible, but most ISP's use Linux+PHP+MySQL. So it's unlikely that you will have to use PHP with Access.
However, PHP works fine with windows. If you use IIS you should get PHP and MySQL seperately. I use IIS to develop websites that I transfer to Linux servers when they're done.
If you don't want to use IIS but Apache instead, you should try PHP-Triad (package with PHP+mySQL+Apache for windows). Get it at SourceForge (http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=9325&release_id=75430)
It's very easy to install. The only thing you will have to do is start the mySQL and Apache servers.
The next thing to do is look for a few tutorials: PHP Builder (http://www.phpbuilder.com/) is a very good starting point. In fact there is a tutorial on PHP and Access right know (http://www.phpbuilder.com/columns/jayesh20021029.php3) .

What you want to do is not very hard in PHP, but it will take some time to learn. Be patient and hang in there.