Beginning PHP: When to move on to a new video?

I dabbled with php back in the 2010s, managed to scrape together enough knowledge to build a few dynamic websites using html, css, JavaScript, MySQL, some xml and a few Ajax calls, all hand coded without a framework in site before changing career and that was that. I haven’t touched it since - until recently!

Im keen to start over, learning again from the ground up using the excellent resources here at Laracast and so far it’s going well. I’m wizzing through the beginning php class BUT I’ve got to ask; at this stage, are most of us memorise the syntax, or is it more about gaining a fundamental understanding?

I.E., I’d be able to build a simple site with routing etc., but I’d certainly struggle to refractor the code anywhere near as elegantly as Geoff does … perhaps I’m aiming too high 🤔

What do you think, should I grasp the concept and move on, or persevere until I can right it completely unaided?

martinbean

3 years ago

Level 80

@bobross It’s not really possible to give a thorough and detailed answer as every one learns in different ways and at different speeds.

I wouldn’t worry too much about understanding a concept fully before moving on, but you should feel as if you have a basic grasp of whatever topic. So for example, if there’s a video about types, then you should understand what a type is and an example of some (string, bool, int, etc) before moving on.

That being said, don’t worry if you do move on and think you’ve moved too quickly, as you can always go back and refresh your memory and understanding around a particular topic before moving on again.

webrobert

3 years ago

Level 51

Personally I’ve been writing code since 1998. Various languages. I’d consider myself an enthusiast. I used to write code when I had a need. But what I found is if you put it down. When you come back you have to learn again. A big part of it is repetition. So now (the last 3 years) I always have a project (or more) going. To stay current. Just make stuff. Make anything. Read the laravel docs, a few times. Watch some series. And before you know it you’ll be writing unaided. If there is such a thing ;)

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