How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Code

I gave a brief lightning talk at April’s WordPress DC Meetup on the basics of HTML and PHP (“coding for dummies”). The goal: learn how to avoid breaking your site if you edit it. Below are the slides.

The Cliff’s Notes are#

• The process

  • The server executes PHP and outputs HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and so on
  • The user’s browser takes that output and renders a visual representation of the page

• Client-side Languages

  • HTML – Static (unchanging) content; provides structure
  • CSS – Provides style and form
  • JavaScript – Provides interactivity

• PHP – Wrapped with “php” and “?>”

  • Variable - Text, a number, true/false, or a group of variable; identified by “$”
  • If Statement – performs an action if a statement is true
  • While Loop – performs an action while a statement is true
  • For / Foreach – combines elements of while and if
  • Functions – predefined set of actions; always followed by “( )”
  • Don’t forget semicolons

Links to Resources Mentioned#

• HTML

  • Google: HTML, CSS, & JavaScript from the Ground Up
  • HTML Dog
  • W3 Learning Wiki
  • W3 Element Wiki

• Text Editor

  • Notepad++ (Windows)
  • TextWrangler Atom
  • Coda (Mac)

• FTP Client (to connect to server)

  • WinSCP, Notepad++ (Windows)
  • CyberDuck, Coda (Mac)

• WordPress

  • Define( WP_DEBUG, true); in wp-config.php
  • Debug bar plugin
  • WordPress Codex

Thanks to all who came out or tuned into the live stream. Comments? Questions? I’d love to hear your thoughts below or feel free to contact me.