PHP development is a good career choice that many people would like to work on especially those who are in the domain of web development. PHP or Hypertext Preprocessor is a widely used web scripting language since it is on more than 78% of the web applications and it is working for some of the popular web applications such as the word press, facebook and Wiki. PHP is widely used all over the world and its applications are numerous; thus PHP developers are always needed. New web developers may then be wondering how long it would take them to become proficient PHP developers.
The time it takes to become a PHP developer depends on so many factors including prior programming knowledge, the references used and also intensity of study. This blog aims at discussing the various phases of learning PHP, factors that may hinder the learning process, and some of the ways through which one can be able to shorten the learning period that would enable him/her to qualify for a PHP developer.
Evaluating the Position of PHP Developer
However I think it would be beneficial to understand what a PHP developer does before going into the learning timeline. A PHP developer is a professional that focuses on developing web applications that are dynamic and interactive with the use of PHP. Their responsibilities often include:
Developing server side script to process user’s request
Building and maintaining databases.
The steps involved in using PHP, and PHP’s interaction with other technologies such as, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Debugging and troubleshooting code.
The accessibility practices being incorporated with front end Web developers, Web designers, and Project managers.
To write clean, efficient and secure code in the platform you need to –
Besides PHP, there are several other technologies that many developers are expected to have basic understanding of such as SQL for databases, Git for version control as well as Laravely or CodeIgniter frameworks.
Variables Affecting Duration of the Learning Curve of PHP
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Finding out how long it will take to become a PHP developer cannot be answered in a straightforward manner since everyone is unique and the pace at which one can learn differs. Several factors can influence the learning process, including:
1. Prior Programming Experience
Learning PHP will take more time only if you are a learner and if you already have some knowledge of some other programming languages probably JavaScript, Python, Ruby then the time you will utilize to learn PHP would not be much. This makes it more of a ‘next-step’ language where the syntax and the programming concepts will seem more recognizable and thus require less re-thinking, Thus, as a PHP programmer, your main concern will switch to PHP concepts rather than having to rethink basic programming concepts. For completely new people to the programming world, it will take them more time to understand these simple topics as variables, loops, functions or object oriented programming (OOP).
2. Learning Approach
The way you learn is also an important factor that determines the time which you take to learn PHP. When dealing with a structured course or bootcamp, the process of learning is much faster compared to the process of self-education based on the set of online tutorials. The problem is well defined and courses which lay out a structure are usually more focused and often contain simple code exercises which can hasten the process.
3. Time Commitment
The amount of time that you spend daily or weekly in learning PHP is probably one of the most essential considerations. If you are learning it as a second language, while working or studying, it can take a few months before you get mastery. On the other hand, if you are learning full time or in an accelerated boot camp you might get the basics within a few weeks.
4. Practice and Projects
It is like learning any other language, just as in sports, the more often you write PHP code and work on projects, the quicker you will be able to write proficient PHP code. Writing code such as developing a basic blog or an e-commerce site will provide you with a sound foundation to understand the aspects, fix problems that arise in practice while getting acquainted with PHP frameworks and libraries.
Time Table to Learn to Become a PHP Developer
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While every learner is different, here’s a general timeline to give you an idea of how long it might take to become a PHP developer, depending on your background and learning pace:
1. Complete Beginner (6-12 Months)
For individuals who have never programmed or developed any sort of website at all it may typically take about 6 to 12 months to become proficient in PHP. In this period, one will have to learn not only the script language PHP but also some basic knowledge about building web sites like HTML, CSS, JavaScript and SQL. Here’s a suggested breakdown for complete beginners:
First 2-3 months: Emphasize on the core concepts of the markup language, languages for styling, and programming language used in development of the website. At this stage, one should also get acquainted with the working of web servers and how the front end communicates with the back end.
Next 3-4 months: I recommend you begin learning PHP basics from the top PHP programming tutorials online. Discuss variables, control structures such as the if else and the loops, arrays, and functions. Understand PHP’s processing of server-side requests, how sessions and cookies work down in the PHP realm. However, practice by developing such small applications like contact form or a simple to-do list.
Final 3-4 months: Begin learning of databases (MySQL) and how one can use PHP to interface with such databases. Work at a higher level of programming on more complicated applications such as a basic blog or a user authentication system, an e-commerce site. After completing this course you should be able to have a basic understanding of PHP and should be ready to search for job openings for PHP programmers and developers or internships.
2. Intermediate Developer (3-6 Months)
If you have background information that is similar to web development or programming, such as JavaScript or Python, for instance, PHP can be learned in 3 to 6 months if you’re starting from the scratch. Thanks to the fact that you already had experience in other languages, you already know what the variables, loops, and functions are in PHP and so the learning curve is not very steep.
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Conclusion
Training takes an individual time depending on the experience level of the person, hard work, and the level of detail this person wants. While amateur learners dedicate 6 to 12 months to learning PHP, learners who have a background in programming can learn PHP in 3 to 6 months. But, it was also important to know that to become a professional PHP developer one needs to learn continuously, practice and apply the frameworks, databases, and security practices. If you are going through the PHP course to change your career or to have an extra string to your bow, it will be the consistency, constant practice to sharpen your skills.
