# How Can I Learn PHP/MySQL ASAP? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 6, 2003, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394 "2003-03-06T01:54:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaxagoras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b77776/32.png) [@Anaxagoras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaxagoras)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394/1 "2003-03-06T01:54:14Z")
I need to learn PHP and MySQL, basically, overnight. What websites and/or books should I be looking at? What land mines can I avoid? What tutorials did you find useful? What script sites gave you the best leg up when you were writing your first PHP/MySQL application? If you’re wondering what level of information would be most helpful, I have over 15 years programming experience, including Oracle, Sybase, SQL Server, C/C++, Visual Basic, Palm, ASP, COM, HTML, Javascript, etc. I am conversant with Unix platforms but don’t have access to one right now, so Windows experience is most helpful to me. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394/2 "2003-03-06T02:03:03Z")
As you may know, the quickest way to learn is t write a program. I mean, like a “Hello, Word” type thing. I really liked this tutorial when I first started, and I pretty much learned overnight. [http://phphelp.com/article/1p1.php](http://phphelp.com/article/1p1.php) ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394/3 "2003-03-06T02:04:11Z")
[sub]lousy stinkin’ typos…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394/4 "2003-03-06T02:04:33Z")
[PHP Reference site](http://www.php.net/) [MySQL Reference](http://www.mysql.com/) The information in both of these sites assumes some programming experience, but you’ll find the complete syntax, tips, and examples in addition to multi-platform development guidlines. good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394/5 "2003-03-06T02:04:49Z")
[PHP Reference site](http://www.php.net/) [MySQL Reference](http://www.mysql.com/) The information in both of these sites assumes some programming experience, but you’ll find the complete syntax, tips, and examples in addition to multi-platform development guidelines. good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394/6 "2003-03-06T02:06:11Z")
Oopsie. ---
**Author:** ![OneChance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/74df32/32.png) [@OneChance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneChance)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394/7 "2003-03-06T07:28:25Z")
The best PHP/MySQL book in my humble opinion: [PHP: Visual Blueprint](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764535617/qid=1046935601/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/103-1655253-0437407?v=glance&s=books) ---
**Author:** ![Anaxagoras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b77776/32.png) [@Anaxagoras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaxagoras)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394/8 "2003-03-07T13:34:37Z")
Thanks all. What’s the best place to download PHP/MySQL from? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-learn-php-mysql-asap/159394/9 "2003-03-07T13:39:00Z")
Both can be downloaded from the respective sites I linked to.