Do you need to know PHP very well before diving into a framework (e.g. Zend, CakePHP)?

Question

I am asking about this compared to Javascript and jQuery. I was only able to learn jQuery with a basic understanding of Javascript (but I constantly learn Javascript when using jQuery).

Is this the same for PHP and its frameworks? Can I start diving into a framework with only basic PHP knowledge (and then learn PHP (as it is) along the way)? Or do I need to have deep knowledge of PHP before starting with frameworks?

Answer 1

I would recommend you stop working in simple PHP and just get the framework. I have TON questions from people asking "how to connect to mysql", "How to upload a file in PHP" ...

All the time that I constantly think about, if you used the framework, you will not need to ask, since most support active queries that do not even require SQL knowledge to work, you do things like pseudo SQL, this creates a connection (elimination troubleshooting / debugging) for your requests.

Personally, I use codeigniter (excellent documentation, small footprint and easy to use). So you can take a look at this, it supports sparks , which makes receiving plugins even easier.

Answer 2

NOT.

Your learning curve may be a little cooler, but you can start learning PHP frameworks without extensive knowledge of PHP. With every programming language, syntax is not enough; you need to work with the language to be proficient with it.

Each framework has its own way of working in it, and it differs from working without a frame. Choose the structure that suits you. Make sure the structure has good documentation and community support, so you can ask for help if you are stuck with something that you do not understand / do not know.

Answer 3

I think the best thing about some PHP frameworks is that you can learn a lot about the "best practices" as you use them, including:

• OO design patterns (primarily MVC)
• DRY principle
• unit testing
• Good code style
• ...

This was for the two frameworks I worked with, Zend Framework and Symfony. But I already had some previous experience with “simple PHP”, so maybe I was already a little biased.

Answer 4

Take a look at agiletoolkit, a flash framework with jquery (aka atk4). This is an MVC framework that integrates well with jquery and ajax and allows you to focus on the web application rather than php to get started, and then, as you learn php better, it won't force you to come back or won't let you you use php to do more.

Answer 5

I use symfony - I learned PHP and symfony at the same time - symfony has excellent documentation, so I would say that if you select the right structure that you can learn together ... basic knowledge of development / programming is an advantage ....

Answer 6

Yes, it is really possible.

The scope varies in how you do things like jQuery contra MooTools in JS.

Based on the PHP frameworks, I started with the ASP.NET MVC framework instead of the usual simple web forms, and these frames make more sense to me than web forms.

Zend, in my opinion, is a little harder to understand, but you get some BIG tools to work with. CakePHP is pretty simple, like CodeIgniter and Kohana.

Answer 7

In my opinion, frameworks work on the MVC pattern. Therefore, you need to have good OOP skills, not syntax skills. If you know OOP well, you can easily convert any framework. I started using Zend Framework only 1 month after starting my PHP. Therefore, in my opinion, you do not need to have very good knowledge of PHP, you need to know OOP very well. You just need to have basic PHP knowledge even to run the Framework

Answer 8

no, you can dive right into it.

I am using cakePHP and this is probably the foundation where you can see the results the fastest. much has already been done for you. other frameworks have less "automatic", but may be useful.

Answer 9

I am programming in CakePHP. I never developed PHP, so I just started learning the basics. After a week of learning PHP to learn only the basics, I hit the cake and now I have no problem developing something that my boss asks for.