Overview
Module 2 was soley based on PHP. PHP is different from HTML and CSS because PHP has a wide range of functions such as mathematical functions, connecting to databases, manipulating files, etc. PHP is embedded with HTML coding in order to make the website more versatile. The learning techniques and mediums used to learn PHP was similiar to Module 1. We utilized Codecademy and W3Schools to gain a basic knowledge of PHP. We then were required to read Larry Ullman's PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites handbook. Next we read Eli the Computer Guy's Youtube tutorials and then we finished the module by reading the original PHP Manual.
The assignment that was most helpful to me was Codecademy due to the fact that I had no prior knowledge of PHP. Codecademy has a well constructed learning program that emphasized simplicity as well as getting the point across. Hands on coding made me remember PHP's basic syntax and functions. Learning PHP made our Class Objectives more clear and less intimidating because the process of learning PHP is what gave me the necessary skill sets to learn more advanced coding languages. Very similiar to what Professor Crowley said during the semester, Paraphased: "You can teach people to write code, but you can't teach people how to code".
The Learning Artifact that I thought was my best for Module 2 was my Eli The Computer Guy page. He had wonderful tutorials where he was able to explain PHP that made it easy to understand. He would talk for a good amount of time and then afterwards switch to his computer to show real coding examples. The reason I thought this page was my best because I was able to answer all the questions correctly as well as implement real PHP codes and functions into my HTML website. Some examples include me taking information from one file and printing onto another page, making a page that receives input data and stores it some place else, as well as allowing users to download .csv files. Click on the button below to see!
