New to PHP. Can someone start me off?

rypeters · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 05:38 PM

Hey,

I've never used Php so I really have no idea to start. I went to the phpbb.com website and tried downloading there latest Php stuff, but I didn't even know how to install the files they gave me. After some research, I came up with some information that I need a server, and a database to run php.

So I downloaded mySQL for the database, and I was looking into apache for the server, but again I have no idea what to do with the files they give you. Is there an easier way to do php to create things like, a blog. What I would love to achieve is being able to create an account system for the site so that they can log in and be automatically to the site and the forums. Also, I would like to create a database of files they can download, where they can search for files using different criteria. I assume this can only be done by php. I will be taking a class in php next year, but I don't really want to wait. Thanks in advance!

Kevin · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 05:42 PM

funny part is i was going to ask the same question i found a guide but it gets me so lost at the end.

lisa · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 06:16 PM

I know just enough about PHP and setting up a database to allow me to run these forums so I'll do my best to help.

First you need to create a database at your Web host. It's pretty simple. You just login to your hosting account and set it up with a username and password. You also need to give that database a name. Your host will have instructions.

Then when you install your forum, script or whatever you're using, they normally ask you for your database name, password, etc. in the config file. You edit the file where appropriate, save it and upload it per the script's instructions.

That's about as specific as I can give since every script is different. Basically you need to learn about setting up a database at your host (see your host documentation/help) uploading files via FTP (I use Filezilla) and read the PHP script's instructions for further help.

For some reason I didn't remember setting up a database for phpbb but I didn't use them for long.

Hopefully Webdev will see this thread. He's the guru with PHP.

rypeters · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 06:37 PM

Great thanks Lisa! I'll check out the website host I'm using right now for it.

foong · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 07:05 PM

I am not sure if you are trying to setup a server at home with PHP / MySQL yourself or you are looking at installing phpbb in a hosting account. Anyway, I'll assume you are getting a hosting account.

PHP and MySQL is supported on almost all Linux based web hosting provider, and most of them are offering 'Cpanel' hosting account control panel. You don't need to download PHP and MySQL to your hosting account as they have already been installed by the hosting provider, all you need is the program, phpbb.

First, you will need to get a hosting account with one of these Linux hosting provider, follow the instruction to create a MySQL database and a MySQL user, grant all access for the MySQL user to the MySQL database, and write down the connection info for later use :-

host: localhost
database name: myloginname_mysqldbname
database user: myloginname_mysqluser
password: password_set_for_myloginname_mysqluser

download phpbb, uncompress the file and then upload them to the 'public_html/forums/' (so that you can enter http://www.yourdomain.com/forums/ to access the forum), make sure your FTP session is set to ASCII mode.

look for the 'config.php' file you have just uploaded in the hosting account, change the file permission to '-rw-rw-rw-' (linux command : CHMOD 666, or you can look for this change file permission option in your FTP client)

After files uploaded and setting the file permission for 'config.php' file, you can run the phpbb installation script, open up your browser window and enter :-

http://www.yourdomain.com/phpbb/install/install.php

in the screen, enter the correct values in respective fields :-

Default board language: English
Database Type: MySQL 4.x **check your server mysql version
Choose your installation method: Install

Database Server Hostname/DSN: localhost
Your database Name: myloginname_mysqldbname **from mysql creation process above
Database Username: myloginname_mysqluser **from mysql creation process above
Database password: password_given_for_myloginname_mysqlusr **from mysql creation process above
Prefix for tables in database: phpbb_ **leave as default

Admin Email Address: enter forum admin email
Domain Name: Enter site domain name
Server port: 80 **leave as default
Script path: /phpbb/ **path to phpbb files, depend where you place the files
Administrator Username: forum admin username
Administrator Password: forum admin password
Administrator Password: enter again the password above to confirm

After entering the above value, click 'Start' to install the program, the installation script will then use the database connection info given to login to the mysql database created, and then setup the table structure for phpbb and load in some default values. Also, the configuration data is saved in the 'config.php' during this process.

After the installation, you will need to remove the 'install' folder from your hosting account for security purposes. You will need to reset file permission for 'config.php' back to '-rw-r-r' (CHMOD 644)

Done.

You can now follow phpbb's instruction to login to phpbb administration screen to setup the forum.

Hope this helps

Kevin · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 07:48 PM

might wanna add the phpBB u DL is 2 not 3 >> i tried for like a hour with 3 lolz i can show how to setup with godaddy its fairly simple when u know how to do it

rypeters · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 11:03 PM

Great! Thank you very much for the info. Since I don't have linux, should I get it? And what version should I get? Also, does it use CISUNIX commands, because I took a class on them last year, so if it does than I'll be all set with manuevering around with it. Also, Linux and Windows run fine together correct?

Rob · #8 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 11:49 AM

You have to get Linux to install PHP software, its the only server which supports it, get it so its PHP 4 + and MySQL databases support too.

Once you break through those boundaries into PHP your in a whole new world you can install pretty much anything like hosting your own blog, forums, CMS based website it truly is great.

Also what you were talking about is a 'multiple login' content manage systems are capable of doing this, it works my the server collecting your IP address and giving you access for a small period of time if you go idle, but keeps updating the time frame if you are active.

If you want to learn a few scripts to do this to get it programmed manually try this website has plenty of sections for you to read and it doesn't take much experience to understand.

http://php.about.com/od/learnphp/Learn_PHP.htm

Hope you get on ok! Once you do it once its really simple

rypeters · #9 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 03:23 PM

Great thanks! Now is there a specific version of Linux I should get?

Rob · #10 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 04:14 PM

Do you have one personally or are you using a host? If you are using one yourself better of asking someone esle, if you are using a host they will pick a version for you (not that it matters)

Version upgrades are more the OS version of Linux not the web based so its not a real necessary factor to be honest, just get one that hasn't got a hamster running around in its wheel and powering the machine!

Kevin · #11 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 07:17 PM

LOL nice one ^^

foong · #12 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 09:26 PM

If you are testing out linux, php, mysql, apache etc. installation at home with your own computer, you might want to check out this two bundle :-

http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

http://www.ubuntu.com/