Worth learning PHP?

mootonandy · Share | #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2012, 05:53 AM

I am thinking of doing a PHP course so I could maybe get some work out of it. But obviously its easy to outsource this kind of work to India and not being Indian I am not sure I could compete with them.

Does anyone have any advice if its worth me bothering or not?

Thanks

Dreamrage · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2012, 06:32 AM

It could be if you decide to use your skills on something like wordpress. If you hone your skills even further you could code just about anything (web related) using it, so I would definitely say go for it.

mootonandy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2012, 07:35 AM

Well I wasnt thinking of doing it on my own projects or sites. More along the lines of getting some odesk gigs and things like that.

Dreamrage · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2012, 08:00 AM

Lol. It will help that as well. TBH I would rather increase my skills for myself instead of doing it only for a few gigs here and there.

RiptideTempora · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2012, 07:42 PM

PHP programming is one of those things where if someone can outsource the work out from under you, then you haven't refined your skills enough.

DannyDisco · #6 (**permalink**) 03-13-2012, 08:00 PM

I would almost say that if you plan on making a living online. PHP knowledge is a definite must.

In order, learn HTML > PHP > MYSQL

If you have a good understanding of those 3, you can do almost anything online. They are the most widely used and have the most documentation so it's harder to get stuck

Plus, they're all free!

RiptideTempora · #7 (**permalink**) 03-13-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyDisco

I would almost say that if you plan on making a living online. PHP knowledge is a definite must.

In order, learn HTML > PHP > MYSQL

If you have a good understanding of those 3, you can do almost anything online. They are the most widely used and have the most documentation so it's harder to get stuck

Plus, they're all free!

Add Javascript, CSS, and jQuery (for making Javascript easier) to that list and you can do anything with enough creativity.

mootonandy · #8 (**permalink**) 03-14-2012, 05:45 AM

This is all well and good, but since outsourcing is extremely easy then I still think I would struggle to make a living from it. Still not sure if its worth it because its not going to be for my own projects.

RiptideTempora · #9 (**permalink**) 03-14-2012, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mootonandy

This is all well and good, but since outsourcing is extremely easy then I still think I would struggle to make a living from it. Still not sure if its worth it because its not going to be for my own projects.

If you're going to let fear of unfair competition hold you back from learning a useful skill, that's your choice. If you're going to not learn a very useful skill because you have no personal ambition, that's also your choice. However, it is to many people VERY much worth learning.

Darrell75 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-14-2012, 05:53 AM

Hi,

Yes, It's worthy to learn PHP especially if you have a plan to engage in online job because surely you can apply it. Actually, I want to learn thins thing also. But, on the other side you have the option to outsource it.

StevenPayales · #11 (**permalink**) 03-16-2012, 12:16 AM

Definitely worthy mate. It is now an in demand job, being a PHP programmer. You are not only limited on web development once you master it but also on System Administration for system scripting.

JohnnyS · #12 (**permalink**) 03-19-2012, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mootonandy

I am thinking of doing a PHP course so I could maybe get some work out of it. But obviously its easy to outsource this kind of work to India and not being Indian I am not sure I could compete with them.

Does anyone have any advice if its worth me bothering or not?

Thanks

yes it's worth it only if you can maximize the use of it..

Ultrabooked · #13 (**permalink**) 04-06-2012, 02:42 AM

If you need PHP to write your own sites I suggest you buy a book and start learning. It maybe not the best way but it's a solution. And also if you want to learn and can't afford paying for courses this is the best way. It all depends of you and your learning passion.

iqbal · #14 (**permalink**) 04-06-2012, 04:06 PM

you should definitely learn php. Yes it is worth it

jeffsmith · #15 (**permalink**) 04-07-2012, 03:38 AM

It is indeed worthwhile if you have a great skills at html and CSS.

webguru11 · #16 (**permalink**) 04-10-2012, 04:55 AM

Certainly Yes, It's easy to learn and a very light software.

mikewertheim · #17 (**permalink**) 04-13-2012, 09:27 PM

If you have a good mind for programming, definitely learn PHP (and HTML, Javascript and CSS). Even if you outsource something to India, you will be able to communicate more effectively with the coders you hire if you know this stuff. And if something the coders write breaks, and it's 2 in the morning and your web site is malfunctioning, it's great to have the skills to be able to fix it yourself.

But notice that I started with "If you have a good mind for programming". Google "most people can't learn to program". One of the top results is an article written by Jeff Atwood of Coding Horror, and it's about how some people's minds are way better at learning programming than others.

If you're not sure if you would be good at programming, try learning some PHP or Javascript. Expect it to go slowly. But if it feels like a big struggle, then programming might not be for you.

Jason101 · #18 (**permalink**) 04-21-2012, 04:53 AM

i think php its important , many web sites are build over php, so you will have alot of work, php is used in wordpress, zen cart, joomla, drupal and others

obaid.ahmed · #19 (**permalink**) 04-21-2012, 04:58 AM

first learn html > CSS > java script > php/asp etc

GeniusStartup · #20 (**permalink**) 04-24-2012, 04:38 AM

Learning PHP just to get gigs on odesk seems a bad idea economically, unless you can compete with the many skilled workers who can afford to charge a low amount for what's often great work.