Why Use an IDE for PHP?

Just like with any other programming language, an IDE for PHP will make you more productive. With incremental compiling (pointing out compile errors as you type them), suggestive functions, and the ability to nicely visualize your objects and function files, PDT will make you more organized and allow you to develop more quickly. Plus with Eclipse’s built in functions, referencing, updating and editing code will be a breeze.

Installing PDT

In order to use PDT, you will need two things: Java and Eclipse. Since Eclipse is a Java program, it does not need to be installed, as long as the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). You can download the JRE here.

If you don’t have Eclipse installed, you can get Eclipse, PDT, and everything you need in a nifty package here. If you do have Eclipse installed, you call follow these instructions:

1. In Eclipse, Go to Help->Software Updates
2. On the right hand side under the “Available Software” tab, click Add Site and add this URL: http://downloads.zend.com/pdt. Click OK.
3. Make sure the box for the URL you added is checked, and click the Install button in the top right corner.

Once you do that, you will most likely be asked to restart Eclipse; do so. You’ve now successfully installed PDT for Eclipse.

Getting Started with PDT

For this tutorial, we will be creating a “Hello World” program using objects and functions to demonstrate some of the features of PDT.

Start by going to File->New->Project and choosing PHP. Click Next, name your project “Hello World,” and click Finish. If you get a message about creating a new perspective, click No. In the left pane, you should now see a folder named “Hello World.” Right click (or Control+click for Mac) on that folder, go to New->File, and name it HelloObj.php. Here is the code we will be adding to that file. *NOTE: I recommend you type this out yourself so you can see how PDT suggests functions and variables, as well as completes and auto-indents braces and brackets for you.

<?php 
 
class Hello{
	var $message;
 
	function __construct(){
		$this->message= "Hello World!";
	}
 
	function prntMessage(){
		echo $this->message;
	}
}
 
?>

Notice in the right pane, you now have an outline of your variables and functions. If we add PHPDOC comments to any function, like this:

	/**
	 * Function that prints the value of the instance variable 
	 * $message
	 */
	function prntMessage(){
		echo $this->message;
	}

We’d be able to mouse over a function and read those comments.

Now we will create a file to call this class (often called a ‘driver’). Create a new PHP file and call it helloDriver.php. Here is the code we’ll be adding to that. Again, I recommend you type the code yourself. You’ll see our new class is now showing up as a suggested one.

<?php 
include('helloObj.php');
$hello= new hello();
 
$hello->prntMessage();
?>

Make sure you save both files, and with helloDriver.php showing, click the down arrow next to the Run Button . Choose Run As->PHP Script.

At the bottom, in the Debug Output pane, you should see the text “Hello World!”

Notes

We’ve only scratched the surface with using Eclipse and PDT. If you are an Eclipse user, you already know what kind of powerful/time saving things this IDE can do. If not, I suggest you play around a little- it’s a great tool.

Also, our method works for running PHP scripts; however, running PHP websites requires us to install Apache and PHP, which is a tutorial in and of itself.

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Download it!

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“The Blogger Template Book” should not be redistributed on your own sites. For more tips on Blogger, be sure to visit Amanda’s website.

In this tutorial, we will:

• Upload the latest WordPress release via FTP to our webhost.
• Create a database to store our posts.
• Create a username with permissions for your database.
• Install WordPress.

If your web-host offers a ‘one-click install‘ for WordPress, you may want to take that route.

Getting WordPress

Go to the official WordPress site and click the Download button on the right. At time of writing, the latest version is 2.6.1.

Once your download is complete (it’s only 1mb, so it’s quick), extract the wordpress folder. Using your preferred FTP client, transfer these files to your web host.

If you are not familiar with FTP, or do not know the login details for your account, please consult your web host’s documentation as the details can vary between hosts.

Alternatively, you could use the File Manager provided in your web host’s Administration area.

For this example, I will be uploading the WordPress files to a folder named blog on my website – which will make my installation accessible at http://www.example.com/blog.

Creating a Database

WordPress requires a database to store all information generated by it such as posts, pages, comments and settings.
The next few steps can vary between host-to-host, but the basic steps involved will be the same. If you cannot find a certain option, please consult your web host’s documentation or contact their customer support.

Login to your web-hosting account page. On there, you should see a ‘Manage Databases’, ‘MySQL Databases’ or similar button.

One of the most-used control panels for web-hosting accounts is ‘cPanel’. If your host uses this, it should look:

Or in MediaTemple it shows as:

In here, you will need to create a new database. Enter a name for it and click ‘Create’. You will then be presented with a success screen with the full name of your new database.

WARNING: Take special note of your new database name. Most web hosts will add a prefix to the beginning of its name – making wpdata become mysite_wpdata (for example).

Database User

You will now need to assign a new database user to your database so WordPress and read and write to the database.

Under where you created a database, you should see the heading ‘Current Users’. Here, enter a username and password for your database and click ‘Create’. You will then see a success screen confirming these details.

WARNING: As before, take special note of your database username. Most web hosts will add a prefix to the beginning of it – making wpuser become mysite_wpuser (for example).

The All-Important Bit!

On the same page as before, there is a heading ‘Add Users To Your Databases’. From the two drop-down boxes in this section select the database and username we created.

Ensure ‘ALL’ is selected for the Privileges and click ‘Add’.

Database Hostname

Again, on the same page is a heading ‘Access Hosts’. On probably 99% of hosts, you should see ‘localhost’. If not, take special note of this, it’s your hostname.

Setting Up WordPress

It’s all straight-forward from here. In your web-browser, go to the location on your site you uploaded WordPress, eg. http://www.example.com/blog.

You should be asked to create a WordPress Configuration file. Click the button to continue and then ‘Lets Go!’ on the next page.

On this page, you will need to enter the database name, username, password and hostname which we created in the previous steps.
You can leave Table Prefix as it is.

On the next page, press ‘Run the install’.
Enter your a name for your Blog and your email address and press ‘Install’.

You will now be taken to the Success page with your Administrator login details. Make special note of these details, and hit ‘Log In’ to get started with your brand-new WordPress Blog!

Summary

Congrats! You have now installed a new WordPress blog!
If this is your first time using WordPress, be sure to check out our Getting Started with WordPress article; and don’t forget to check-out some of the awesome themes avaliable for WordPress in ThemeForest.