1. Learn the Basics: Before you start building complex applications, it is important to have a good understanding of the basics of PHP. Learn the syntax, data types, built-in functions, and other important concepts.
2. Get Familiar with an IDE: A good text editor or integrated development environment (IDE) is essential to writing and debugging PHP code. Popular IDEs include Eclipse, Sublime Text, and Atom.
3. Learn an MVC Framework: MVC (Model-View-Controller) frameworks are popular among PHP developers. Learning a framework like Laravel, Symfony, or CodeIgniter will help you understand the principles of object-oriented programming and build powerful applications with ease.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice: The best way to learn any skill is by doing it. Practice writing and debugging PHP code on a regular basis.
5. Take a PHP Course: There are many online courses available for learning PHP. Taking a course will help you stay organized and make sure you don’t miss any important concepts.
6. Get Involved in Open Source Projects: Open source projects are a great way to gain experience and learn from more experienced developers. Contributing to an open source project will also make you part of the larger PHP community.