PHP 8: build dynamic sites connected to a database
Master PHP, basic object-oriented programming, MySQL with PDO, sessions and authentication.
- Duration
- 28 h · 4 days
- Level
- Beginner
- Format
- On site · Remote · Blended
- Max. group size
- 12 participants
Overview
This program teaches how to develop dynamic web applications in PHP. It starts from the language (variables, structures, functions), moves on to objects, forms, files and uploads, then access to MySQL with PDO. The last day covers sessions, authentication and the new features of PHP 8, as well as using AI to speed up development.
Who this program is for
- Beginners in back-end development
- Front-end developers moving to the server side
- Career changers moving into web development
Prerequisites
- Being able to write HTML
- Notions of databases and programming appreciated
Learning objectives
- Write structured PHP scripts
- Handle arrays, strings, dates and regular expressions
- Create classes and objects
- Process forms with GET and POST
- Handle files, JSON and secure uploads
- Access MySQL with PDO and prepared statements
- Manage sessions and authentication
Detailed curriculum
8 modules · 28 h · 4 days
Language basics
- Installing and configuring the environment
- Variables, types and operators
- Conditional structures and loops
- Functions and scope
- Including files
Arrays, strings and dates
- Indexed and associative arrays
- Useful array functions
- Strings and regular expressions
- Dates and time zones
- Organizing your code
Solve a series of data manipulation exercises.
Object-oriented programming
- Classes, properties and methods
- Constructors and visibility
- Inheritance and interfaces
- Exception handling
- Automatic class loading
Forms
- GET and POST methods
- Retrieving and cleaning data
- Validating fields on the server side
- Displaying errors
- Protecting pages from code injection
Create a form processed and validated on the server side.
Files, JSON and upload
- Reading and writing files
- Encoding and decoding JSON
- Notions of XML
- File upload with checks
- Managing paths and permissions
Accessing MySQL with PDO
- Connecting with PDO
- Prepared statements
- Full CRUD
- Transactions
- Organizing a data access layer
Develop the management interface for a table.
Sessions and authentication
- Sessions and cookies
- Registration and login
- Password hashing
- Protecting pages
- Logout and session duration
PHP 8 and AI assistants
- New in PHP 8: types, named arguments, match
- Strict typing and promoted properties
- Using AI to generate and review PHP code
- Best practices and security
- Capstone project
Assemble the building blocks into a small application with login.
Tools and technologies
Teaching methods
- Alternating short lectures and hands-on work
- Live demonstrations by the trainer
- Capstone project built throughout the modules
- Group corrections and discussion of best practices
Assessment
- Hands-on exercises corrected in each module
- Mini-project completed at the end of the course
- Knowledge-check quiz
Required equipment
- A computer with an internet connection
- A local PHP/MySQL server (MAMP, XAMPP or Docker) and a code editor
Resources provided
- Course materials and repository of corrected exercises
Career outcomes
- A PHP application with a database and user login
- Basic security reflexes
- A foundation for learning Symfony or Laravel
Related video courses
My video courses that go with this program, to get ready for the training or to review afterwards. Free with an account.
