Session offered at DrupalCon San Francisco 2010. "Physics for Poets" introduction to PHP concepts like variables, arrays, conditionals, and functions.

1. Today’s Tools
Write code: http://www.codepad.com
Select PHP as the language!
Ask questions:
IRC: irc.freenode.net #php4np
Twitter: php4np
Robert Ristroph is here for you!

2. PHP For NonProgrammers
Programmer: One who writes computer programs.
NonProgrammer: One who will write PHP code today
while learning Diana’s Five Rules of Programming
and earning geek points.
DrupalCon San Francisco 2010

3. You Win!
Score more than 5 points during today’s
presentation and win the Grand Prize Geek Award*
(GPGA).
* Four Kitchens’ stickers and the right to change your Facebook language to
English(Pirate).

4. <?php
/**
* About Me
*/
// also comments
$name = “Diana Montalion Dupuis”;
$fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE;
$numPets = 3;
$currBooks = array(“The World Without Us”, “Outliers”, “Brain Rules”, “Wolf
Hall”);
if ($notWorking == TRUE) {
echo “I’m reading a book or watching football.”;
} else {
echo “I’m writing PHP code.”;
}
?>
Write your own version!

5. <?php
/** comments
* About Me
*/
// also comments
$name = “Diana Montalion Dupuis”;
$fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE;
$numPets = 3;
$currBooks = array(“The World Without Us”, “Outliers”, “Brain Rules”, “Wolf
Hall”);
if ($notWorking == TRUE) {
echo “I’m reading a book or watching football.”;
} else {
echo “I’m writing PHP code.”;
}
?>
Write your own version!

6. <?php
/** comments
* About Me
*/
// also comments
$name = “Diana Montalion Dupuis”;
$fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE; variables
$numPets = 3;
$currBooks = array(“The World Without Us”, “Outliers”, “Brain Rules”, “Wolf
Hall”);
if ($notWorking == TRUE) {
echo “I’m reading a book or watching football.”;
} else {
echo “I’m writing PHP code.”;
}
?>
Write your own version!

7. <?php
/** comments
* About Me
*/
// also comments
$name = “Diana Montalion Dupuis”;
$fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE; variables
$numPets = 3;
$currBooks = array(“The World Without Us”, “Outliers”, “Brain Rules”, “Wolf
Hall”);
if ($notWorking == TRUE) {
array
echo “I’m reading a book or watching football.”;
} else {
echo “I’m writing PHP code.”;
}
?>
Write your own version!

8. <?php
/** comments
* About Me
*/
// also comments
$name = “Diana Montalion Dupuis”;
$fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE; variables
$numPets = 3;
$currBooks = array(“The World Without Us”, “Outliers”, “Brain Rules”, “Wolf
Hall”);
if ($notWorking == TRUE) {
array
echo “I’m reading a book or watching football.”;
} else {
echo “I’m writing PHP code.”; conditional
}
?>
Write your own version!

9. What does PHP mean?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP

10. What does PHP mean?
Who cares?!?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP

11. What does PHP mean?
Who cares?!?
The question and answer that matter most are the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP

12. What does PHP mean?
Who cares?!?
The question and answer that matter most are the
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor is a widely used, general-purpose scripting language that was originally designed for web development to
produce dynamic web pages. For this purpose, PHP code is embedded into the HTML source document and interpreted by a web server
with a PHP processor module, which generates the web page document. As a general-purpose programming language, PHP code is
processed by an interpreter application in command line mode performing desired operating system operations and producing program
output on its standard output channel. It may also function as a graphical application. PHP is available as a processor for most modern
web servers and as a standalone interpreter on most operating systems and computing platforms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP

13. Diana’s Rule #1
Programming is asking the right questions and coming up with
possible answers.

14. Diana’s Rule #1
Self educate constantly.
Your sixth-grade English teacher was right - if you
don’t know, look it up. Find places to get help.
Ignore whatever (or whomever) isn’t helpful.
Programming is asking the right questions and coming up with
possible answers.

15. I’m a Mac.

16. Are you a Mac || a PC?
I’m a Mac.

17. Good Places to Start

18. Good Places to Start
• W3Schools Tutorial: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/

19. Good Places to Start
• W3Schools Tutorial: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/
• HeadFirst Labs Book: http://headfirstlabs.com/books/
hfphp/

20. Good Places to Start
• W3Schools Tutorial: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/
• HeadFirst Labs Book: http://headfirstlabs.com/books/
hfphp/
• PHP.net (and tutorial): http://php.net/manual/en/
tutorial.php

21. Good Places to Start
• W3Schools Tutorial: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/
• HeadFirst Labs Book: http://headfirstlabs.com/books/
hfphp/
• PHP.net (and tutorial): http://php.net/manual/en/
tutorial.php
• Pro Drupal Development Book: http://
www.drupalbook.com/

22. Diana’s Rule #2
How do I get to Carnegie Hall?

23. Diana’s Rule #2
Write code.
How do I get to Carnegie Hall?

24. Diana’s Rule #2
Write code.
Writing code is the only thing that teaches you how
to write code.
How do I get to Carnegie Hall?

25. Write Code!
I recommend TextMate and Coda for Mac, EditPlus and Aptana for PCs

26. Write Code!
1. Use Codepad or open Notepad (or any other
simple text program).
I recommend TextMate and Coda for Mac, EditPlus and Aptana for PCs

27. Write Code!
1. Use Codepad or open Notepad (or any other
simple text program).
2. Not Microsoft Word, never ever ever use Word. A
piece of paper and a pen is fine too.
I recommend TextMate and Coda for Mac, EditPlus and Aptana for PCs

28. Write Code!
1. Use Codepad or open Notepad (or any other
simple text program).
2. Not Microsoft Word, never ever ever use Word. A
piece of paper and a pen is fine too.
2. Write this in the top left-hand corner:
I recommend TextMate and Coda for Mac, EditPlus and Aptana for PCs

29. Write Code!
I recommend TextMate and Coda for Mac, EditPlus and Aptana for PCs

31. <?php
/**
* About Me
*/
$name = “Your Name Here”;
echo $name;
?>

32. Bonus point if you’ve seen the movie more than 5 times.

33. $name = “Trinity”;
Bonus point if you’ve seen the movie more than 5 times.

34. Diana’s Rule #3
“Stupid” mistakes are 85% of mistakes you’ll make.

35. Diana’s Rule #3
You will suffer daily from the Missing Semicolon
Syndrome (MSS).
Forgetting the semicolon is the most common syntax
error. PHP errors will break your site. Don’t panic!
Just fix them.
“Stupid” mistakes are 85% of mistakes you’ll make.

36. Four PHP Concepts

37. Four PHP Concepts
• Variables: containers for your stuff

38. Four PHP Concepts
• Variables: containers for your stuff
• Arrays: a variable that is a list, or a list of lists

39. Four PHP Concepts
• Variables: containers for your stuff
• Arrays: a variable that is a list, or a list of lists
• Conditionals: the brains of your operation

40. Four PHP Concepts
• Variables: containers for your stuff
• Arrays: a variable that is a list, or a list of lists
• Conditionals: the brains of your operation
• Functions: little blocks of “do stuff”

41. Variables

42. Variables
• begin with the ‘$’ symbol

43. Variables
• begin with the ‘$’ symbol
• should be aptly named

44. Variables
• begin with the ‘$’ symbol
• should be aptly named
• come in 8 different flavors

45. Variables
• begin with the ‘$’ symbol
• should be aptly named
• come in 8 different flavors
• are assigned a value using =

46. 8 Types of Variables

47. 8 Types of Variables
• Boolean: $fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE;

48. 8 Types of Variables
• Boolean: $fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE;
• Integer: $numPets = 3;

49. 8 Types of Variables
• Boolean: $fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE;
• Integer: $numPets = 3;
• Float: $pie = 3.1416;

50. 8 Types of Variables
• Boolean: $fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE;
• Integer: $numPets = 3;
• Float: $pie = 3.1416;
• String: $hobbies = “I enjoy hiking.”;

51. 8 Types of Variables
• Boolean: $fourKitchensWebChef = TRUE;
• Integer: $numPets = 3;
• Float: $pie = 3.1416;
• String: $hobbies = “I enjoy hiking.”;
• Array: $currBooks = array(“The World Without Us”,
“Outliers”, “Brain Rules”, “Wolf Hall”);

52. And The Rest

53. And The Rest
Variables we won’t discuss (much) today:

54. And The Rest
Variables we won’t discuss (much) today:
• Object: $node->id

55. And The Rest
Variables we won’t discuss (much) today:
• Object: $node->id
• Resource: the database connection, for example

56. And The Rest
Variables we won’t discuss (much) today:
• Object: $node->id
• Resource: the database connection, for example
• NULL

57. 1 point for the group name, 1 point each for individual
names

58. $montyPython = array(“TerryG”, “John”,
“Michael”, “TerryJ”, “Eric”, “Graham”);
1 point for the group name, 1 point each for individual
names

59. Arrays
array keys start with 0

60. Arrays
$myPets = array(“Maya”, “Cloe”, “August”);
echo $myPets[0];
array keys start with 0

61. Maya
Arrays
$myPets = array(“Maya”, “Cloe”, “August”);
echo $myPets[0];
array keys start with 0

62. Foreach is your friend
$myPets = array(“Maya”, “Cloe”, “August”);
foreach ($myPets as $pet) {
echo $pet;
echo “<br />”;
}
// $pet is a variable you create

63. Maya
Cloe
August
Foreach is your friend
$myPets = array(“Maya”, “Cloe”, “August”);
foreach ($myPets as $pet) {
echo $pet;
echo “<br />”;
}
// $pet is a variable you create

64. Keys and Values
$actor = array(
‘name’ => “John Cleese”,
‘nickname’ => “Bruce”,
‘job’ => “Minister of Silly Walks”,
);
echo $actor[‘nickname’];
this is very common in Drupal coding

65. Bruce
Keys and Values
$actor = array(
‘name’ => “John Cleese”,
‘nickname’ => “Bruce”,
‘job’ => “Minister of Silly Walks”,
);
echo $actor[‘nickname’];
this is very common in Drupal coding

66. <?php
/**
* About Me
*/
$name = “Your Name Here”;
$yourList = array(“Thing1”, “Thing2”, “Thing3”);
?>
Write your own version!

67. <?php
/**
* About Me add some
*/ variables
$name = “Your Name Here”;
$yourList = array(“Thing1”, “Thing2”, “Thing3”);
?>
Write your own version!

68. <?php
/**
* About Me add some
*/ variables
$name = “Your Name Here”;
$yourList = array(“Thing1”, “Thing2”, “Thing3”);
add an array
?>
Write your own version!

69. TRUE || FALSE
Bonus point if you shout “Janeway!”

70. TRUE || FALSE
Bonus point if you shout “Janeway!”

71. TRUE || FALSE
Bonus point if you shout “Janeway!”

72. TRUE || FALSE
TRUE
Bonus point if you shout “Janeway!”

73. Symbols to Know
More: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/php_operators.asp

74. Symbols to Know
• Assignment: =
More: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/php_operators.asp

75. Symbols to Know
• Assignment: =
• AND: &&
More: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/php_operators.asp

76. Symbols to Know
• Assignment: =
• AND: &&
• OR: ||
More: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/php_operators.asp

77. Symbols to Know
• Assignment: =
• AND: &&
• OR: ||
• Greater and Less Than: > <
More: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/php_operators.asp

78. Symbols to Know
• Assignment: =
• AND: &&
• OR: ||
• Greater and Less Than: > <
• Is Equal To: ==
More: http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/php_operators.asp

79. Let’s Talk Boolean

80. Let’s Talk Boolean
• My name is Diana

81. Let’s Talk Boolean
• My name is Diana
• My name is Diana && I own a motorcycle

82. Let’s Talk Boolean
• My name is Diana
• My name is Diana && I own a motorcycle
• My name Diana || I am younger than 29

83. Let’s Talk Boolean
• My name is Diana
• My name is Diana && I own a motorcycle
• My name Diana || I am younger than 29
• (My name is Diana || I am younger than 29) && I
own a motorcycle

85. $myMotorcycle = “BMW F650GS”;

86. Conditionals are Control
if ($captain == “Picard”) {
echo “Make it so, Number One.”;
} elseif ($captain == “Kirk”) {
echo “Two to beam up.”;
} else {
echo “Please state the nature of your medical
emergency.”;
}

87. <?php
/**
* Boolean Example
*/
$captain = “Janeway”;
if ($captain == “Picard”) {
echo “Make it so, Number One.”;
} elseif ($captain == “Kirk”) {
echo “Two to beam up.”;
} else {
echo “Please state the nature of your medical emergency.”;
?>
There is an MSS issue in this code, can you find it? Hint: }

88. <?php Please state the nature of your medical
emergency.
/**
* Boolean Example
*/
$captain = “Janeway”;
if ($captain == “Picard”) {
echo “Make it so, Number One.”;
} elseif ($captain == “Kirk”) {
echo “Two to beam up.”;
} else {
echo “Please state the nature of your medical emergency.”;
?>
There is an MSS issue in this code, can you find it? Hint: }

89. <?php Please state the nature of your medical
emergency.
/**
* Boolean Example
*/
$captain = “Janeway”; MSS ALERT!
if ($captain == “Picard”) {
echo “Make it so, Number One.”;
} elseif ($captain == “Kirk”) {
echo “Two to beam up.”;
} else {
echo “Please state the nature of your medical emergency.”;
?>
There is an MSS issue in this code, can you find it? Hint: }

90. <?php
/**
* About Me
*/
$name = “Your Name Here”;
$yourList = array(“Thing1”, “Thing2”, “Thing3”);
if (variable == something && variable == something) {
print “A clever sentence”;
}
?>
Write your own version!

91. <?php
/**
* About Me
*/
variables
$name = “Your Name Here”;
$yourList = array(“Thing1”, “Thing2”, “Thing3”);
if (variable == something && variable == something) {
print “A clever sentence”;
}
?>
Write your own version!

92. <?php
/**
* About Me
*/
variables
$name = “Your Name Here”;
$yourList = array(“Thing1”, “Thing2”, “Thing3”);
if (variable == something && variable == something) {
print “A clever sentence”;
}
add a conditional
?>
Write your own version!

93. A bonus point if you’ve read the book && seen the movie

94. Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya.
You killed my father. Prepare to
die.
A bonus point if you’ve read the book && seen the movie

95. Functions
Functions encapsulate code that does a specific task.
The function can be called whenever the task needs
to be performed.
Tutorial: http://www.tizag.com/phpT/phpfunctions.php

96. // call the function to count the fingers
$killHim = isSixFingeredMan($numFingers);
if ($killHim) {
echo “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my
father. Prepare to die.”;
}
/**
* Returns true if number of fingers is 6
*/
function isSixFingeredMan($numFingers) {
if ($numFingers == 6) {
return TRUE;
} else {
return FALSE;
}
}

97. // call the function to count the fingers
$killHim = isSixFingeredMan($numFingers);
call
if ($killHim) {
echo “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my
father. Prepare to die.”;
}
/**
* Returns true if number of fingers is 6
*/
function isSixFingeredMan($numFingers) {
if ($numFingers == 6) {
return TRUE;
} else {
return FALSE;
}
}

98. // call the function to count the fingers
$killHim = isSixFingeredMan($numFingers);
call
if ($killHim) {
echo “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my
father. Prepare to die.”;
}
/**
* Returns true if number of fingers is 6
*/
function isSixFingeredMan($numFingers) {
if ($numFingers == 6) {
return TRUE;
} else { function
return FALSE;
}
}

99. // call the function to count the fingers
$killHim = isSixFingeredMan($numFingers);
call
if ($killHim) {
echo “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my
father. Prepare to die.”;
} continue on
/**
* Returns true if number of fingers is 6
*/
function isSixFingeredMan($numFingers) {
if ($numFingers == 6) {
return TRUE;
} else { function
return FALSE;
}
}

100. Function Facts

101. Function Facts
• include the word “function”

102. Function Facts
• include the word “function”
• should be aptly named

103. Function Facts
• include the word “function”
• should be aptly named
• can accept one or more parameters

104. Function Facts
• include the word “function”
• should be aptly named
• can accept one or more parameters
• can return something

105. Function Facts
• include the word “function”
• should be aptly named
• can accept one or more parameters
• can return something
• should be used for repeated tasks and to organize
logic

106. Function Facts
• include the word “function”
• should be aptly named
• can accept one or more parameters
• can return something
• should be used for repeated tasks and to organize
logic
• can be public or private

107. <?php
/**
* Function Fun
*/
$yourVariable = “Something”;
$returnedVariable = NULL;
$returnedVariable = yourFunction($yourVariable);
echo $returnedVariable;
public function yourFunction($yourVariable) {
$greeting = “Here’s a sentence containing “. $yourVariable;
return $greeting;
}
?>
Write your own version!

108. <?php
/**
* Function Fun
*/
$yourVariable = “Something”; define a variable
$returnedVariable = NULL;
$returnedVariable = yourFunction($yourVariable);
echo $returnedVariable;
public function yourFunction($yourVariable) {
$greeting = “Here’s a sentence containing “. $yourVariable;
return $greeting;
}
?>
Write your own version!

109. <?php
/**
* Function Fun
*/
$yourVariable = “Something”; define a variable
$returnedVariable = NULL;
$returnedVariable = yourFunction($yourVariable);
echo $returnedVariable;
call your function
public function yourFunction($yourVariable) {
$greeting = “Here’s a sentence containing “. $yourVariable;
return $greeting;
}
?>
Write your own version!

110. <?php
/**
* Function Fun
*/
$yourVariable = “Something”; define a variable
$returnedVariable = NULL;
$returnedVariable = yourFunction($yourVariable);
echo $returnedVariable;
call your function
public function yourFunction($yourVariable) {
$greeting = “Here’s a sentence containing “. $yourVariable;
return $greeting;
}
add a function
?>
Write your own version!

111. <?php
/**
* Function Fun
*/
$yourVariable = “Something”; define a variable
$returnedVariable = NULL;
$returnedVariable = yourFunction($yourVariable);
echo $returnedVariable;
public function yourFunction($yourVariable) {
$greeting = “Here’s a sentence containing “. $yourVariable;
return $greeting;
}
add a function
?>
Write your own version!

112. <?php
/**
* Function Fun
*/
$yourVariable = “Something”; define a variable
$returnedVariable = NULL;
$returnedVariable = yourFunction($yourVariable);
echo $returnedVariable;
continue on
public function yourFunction($yourVariable) {
$greeting = “Here’s a sentence containing “. $yourVariable;
return $greeting;
}
add a function
?>
Write your own version!

113. <?php Here’s a sentence containing Something.
/**
* Function Fun
*/
$yourVariable = “Something”; define a variable
$returnedVariable = NULL;
$returnedVariable = yourFunction($yourVariable);
echo $returnedVariable;
continue on
public function yourFunction($yourVariable) {
$greeting = “Here’s a sentence containing “. $yourVariable;
return $greeting;
}
add a function
?>
Write your own version!

114. What does he do for a living?
Score one point for each title you can name

115. Diana’s Rule #4
Practice makes a programmer.

116. Diana’s Rule #4
Read and dissect (good) code.
Practice makes a programmer.

117. Diana’s Rule #5
http://drupal.org/node/287350

118. Diana’s Rule #5
Follow best practices.
Like the rules of the road, best practices prevent
(coding) accidents. They also make you a likable
person.
http://drupal.org/node/287350

119. Browser Points
Modern Browsers Only!

120. Browser Points
• +10: Firefox && (Chrome || Opera)
Modern Browsers Only!

121. Browser Points
• +10: Firefox && (Chrome || Opera)
• +8: Firefox && (IE 7 || IE 8 || Safari)
Modern Browsers Only!

122. Browser Points
• +10: Firefox && (Chrome || Opera)
• +8: Firefox && (IE 7 || IE 8 || Safari)
• +5: Firefox
Modern Browsers Only!

123. Browser Points
• +10: Firefox && (Chrome || Opera)
• +8: Firefox && (IE 7 || IE 8 || Safari)
• +5: Firefox
• +3: IE 7 || IE 8
Modern Browsers Only!

124. Browser Points
• +10: Firefox && (Chrome || Opera)
• +8: Firefox && (IE 7 || IE 8 || Safari)
• +5: Firefox
• +3: IE 7 || IE 8
• +1: Safari
Modern Browsers Only!

125. Browser Points
• +10: Firefox && (Chrome || Opera)
• +8: Firefox && (IE 7 || IE 8 || Safari)
• +5: Firefox
• +3: IE 7 || IE 8
• +1: Safari
• -3,890,745: IE 6
Modern Browsers Only!

126. Diana’s Five Rules
1. Constantly self educate.
2. Write code.
3. Accept Missing Semicolon Syndrome gracefully.
4. Read and dissect (good) code.
5. Follow best practices.
diana@fourkitchens.com

127. Take the Survey
http://sf2010.drupal.org/conference/schedule