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Jeff Modjeska
1,339 PointsConfused on the PHP training process
I am confused with the training process, I just started a project called build a simple PHP Application. I just finished getting started with PHP.
I started in on the next training portion "Creating the Menu and Footer". I am on video 2 in that series (Including the Header) Following along with the video I see the code being displayed in the video does match the code we completed in in the first training session! (Getting started with PHP)
Because this is PHP we were directed to use a program called MAMP to view the pages. We were also directed to link the htdocs folder of MAMP to hold or HTML and PHP folders, files as well as as any edits or revisions we made to the Shirts 4 Mike PHP website.
What confusing is I'm suppose to follow along inn my text editor making any changes directed in the training videos. When I start the next series the code is different than what we left off with. I see each new series has project files.
I then download the second training series data files all the code that is being changed in the training video has already been updated in the data files
I would assume we build upon the previous lessons with each new lesson. Are we suppose to delete all pages and changes we just made in the previous training series out of the htdocs file and copy and paste all the new project files so all our initial starting pages and files match the new lesson? This is never explained in the video? As well as all the new data files for the new lesson are already changed.
How is one to learn if each lesson does not build upon the previous lesson? I am new to this site this does not seem like an effective way to train someone how to code!
Any direction or advice would be appreciated!
Jeff
5 Answers
James Barnett
39,199 PointsEvery course is different. You should download the project files at the start of every course.
Julian Price
11,760 PointsJeff yes it is a follow along using text editor like SubLime Text. In the first part to demonstrates how to convert index.html into php modular files for example header and footer the same on all pages.
Jeff Modjeska
1,339 PointsJullian, Thanks I get that part but I am not able to follow along as the beginning of the second training series code does not match the code we changed and left off with in the end of the first lesson.
So I deleted all the code and all the pages from the first lesson and downloaded the data files for the second lesson however they have already been modified and my old code did not match all the changes that are displayed on the second training series which is why I deleted them and uploaded the new data files. I am unable to follow along and make the changes in my text editor because Treehouse has made all the changes they are demonstrating in the video. So their is no following along with the video using your text editor.
Which is why I am confused as to the process. Jeff
Julian Price
11,760 PointsI created a folder shirts4mike with index.html CSS files and images since I already had local install wordpress in the htdocs.
Thiam Hock Ng
22,131 PointsHi Jeff,
I have completed the PHP series, and maybe I can help to shed some light to your confusion. The first part of the first PHP course - Getting Started with PHP, is merely a simple demonstration on how PHP code can be written and when hosted on the server, it is "converted" into HTML code. The second part - Creating the Menu and Footer - is the official start of the project, where you downloaded the raw HTML and CSS file so that you can get started in PHP right away. I suppose you wouldn't want to code the HTML and CSS right from the start, do you? Although I do not have any experience in the industry, I think that this might be a practice when one coded the HTML/CSS file first to make sure everything looks right, then they make it dynamic by using PHP. This is also how I worked with my partner (a web designer) in web development.
When you continue, I assure you that with the exceptions of Randy asking you to complete the code yourself as you have learnt the necessary knowledge, each stage file can be brought over to the next stage without you having to download the source file again. For my case, I usually download them because my application does not work as I intend it to be, and I am trying to spot the difference between the correct code and my code.
Hope the above helps and I encourage you to continue in learning PHP.