PHP & MySQL Fundamentals: Build Your First Dynamic Websites

Full-Stack Web Development

PHP & MySQL Fundamentals: Build Your First Dynamic Websites

Instructor: Amit Chandrakar

Created: 16 June, 2025

Updated: 16 June, 2025

Overview
Curriculum
Instructor

Course Description

This course is your absolute starting point for backend web development using PHP and MySQL. We start from scratch, assuming no prior backend knowledge, and guide you through the fundamental concepts needed to build dynamic, data-driven web applications.

You'll begin with the core syntax of PHP, understanding variables, data types, operators, and control structures. Critically, you will learn how PHP code gets executed on a server, including the role of the Zend Engine and the request lifecycle. From there, you'll master essential web concepts like handling user input from forms, managing application state with sessions and cookies, and working with PHP's built-in functions for strings, arrays, and numbers.

A significant portion of the course is dedicated to database integration with MySQL. You will learn how to connect to a MySQL database using the modern PDO interface, perform all basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations, and ensure secure data handling with prepared statements. We'll also cover basic file system operations and essential security practices for fundamental web applications.

Please Note: This course focuses purely on procedural and fundamental PHP and MySQL. Advanced topics like Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), Composer for dependency management, building complex REST APIs, or implementing the MVC pattern will be covered in separate, more advanced courses.

What You'll Learn:

Core PHP syntax, variables, data types, and operators.
How PHP code is executed, including the request lifecycle, SAPI, and the Zend Engine.
Control flow statements (`if/else`, `switch`) and loops (`for`, `while`, `foreach`).
Defining and using PHP functions, understanding variable scope.
Working with PHP arrays (indexed and associative) and string manipulation.
Handling web forms (`GET` & `POST`), file uploads, and superglobals.
Managing user sessions and cookies for state persistence.
Connecting PHP to MySQL databases securely using PDO.
Performing CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations in MySQL.
Basic file system operations (reading, writing files).
Implementing fundamental security practices (input sanitization, password hashing, prepared statements).

Who Is This Course For?

This course is designed for absolute beginners to backend web development. It's perfect for front-end developers looking to add backend skills, or anyone who wants to learn how dynamic websites work behind the scenes using PHP and MySQL. No prior programming experience is required beyond basic HTML/CSS.

Prerequisites:

Basic HTML & CSS Knowledge: Familiarity with creating web pages.
A Computer/Laptop: A working computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Internet Connection: For downloading software and resources.
Willingness to Learn: Enthusiasm for building dynamic web applications.

Includes practical exercises for each module, a final mini-project to apply your skills, and a certificate of completion. Available in English and Hindi.

1. What is PHP and How it Works (Server-Side Scripting)

15min

2. Setting Up Your Local Development Environment (XAMPP/MAMP/Laragon)

30min

3. Your First PHP Script: Embedding PHP in HTML

15min

4. PHP Syntax Rules and Comments

10min

5. Printing Output: `echo` vs. `print`

10min

6. Recap & Practical Task: Create a Simple Dynamic HTML Page

25min

7. How PHP Works with Web Servers (Apache/Nginx Integration)

20min

8. Understanding SAPI (Server Application Programming Interface)

25min

9. The Zend Engine: PHP's Core Compiler and Executor

30min

10. PHP Request Lifecycle: From Web Server to Browser Response

35min

11. Understanding `php.ini` and Core Configuration Directives

25min

12. Basic Error Reporting vs. Error Logging

15min

13. Recap & Practical Task: Inspect PHP Info and Error Logs

40min

14. Variables: Declaration, Naming Rules, and Scope

25min

15. Data Types in PHP: Strings, Integers, Floats, Booleans

30min

16. Composite Data Types: Indexed Arrays and Associative Arrays

35min

17. Special Data Types: `NULL` and Resources

15min

18. Operators in PHP: Arithmetic, Assignment, Comparison, Logical

30min

19. Type Juggling and Type Casting

15min

20. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Simple Calculator Script

40min

21. Conditional Statements: `if`, `else if`, `else`

25min

22. The `switch` Statement

20min

23. Loops: `for`, `while`, `do-while`

30min

24. Iterating Arrays with `foreach` Loop

25min

25. Defining and Calling User-Defined Functions

25min

26. Function Parameters (Pass by Value vs. Reference) and Default Arguments

20min

27. Variable Scope in Functions (`global`, `static`)

20min

28. Built-in PHP Functions (String, Array, Math functions)

30min

29. Recap & Practical Task: Create a Function Library for Common Tasks

50min

30. Working with HTML Forms: `GET` and `POST` Methods

30min

31. Understanding Superglobal Arrays (`$_GET`, `$_POST`, `$_REQUEST`, `$_SERVER`)

25min

32. Server-Side Form Validation (Basic Input Checks)

35min

33. Introduction to State Management: Sessions

30min

34. Using PHP Sessions: `session_start()`, `$_SESSION`

25min

35. Introduction to Cookies: Setting and Retrieving

25min

36. File Uploads (Basics: `$_FILES`, `move_uploaded_file`)

30min

37. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Simple Feedback Form with Session Storage

1hr

38. Introduction to Relational Databases and SQL Basics

20min

39. Setting Up MySQL Database and Tables (using phpMyAdmin or CLI)

35min

40. PHP Data Objects (PDO): Why Choose PDO?

25min

41. Connecting PHP to MySQL Database using PDO

30min

42. Handling Database Connection Errors

20min

43. Recap & Practical Task: Connect PHP to a Sample Database

45min

44. Inserting Data into MySQL (`INSERT` statements with PDO)

30min

45. Retrieving Data from MySQL (`SELECT` queries with PDO)

40min

46. Updating Data in MySQL (`UPDATE` statements with PDO)

30min

47. Deleting Data from MySQL (`DELETE` statements with PDO)

25min

48. Using Prepared Statements to Prevent SQL Injection (Crucial for Security)

45min

49. Fetching Data (fetch, fetchAll) and Displaying Results

35min

50. Recap & Practical Task: Build a Basic User Management System (CRUD)

1hr 15min

51. Reading Files in PHP (`fopen`, `fread`, `file_get_contents`)

25min

52. Writing to Files in PHP (`fopen`, `fwrite`, `file_put_contents`)

25min

53. Checking File Existence and Permissions

15min

54. Basic PHP Error Reporting and Display Settings

20min

55. Simple Error Handling with `die()` and `exit()`

15min

56. Including External PHP Files (`include`, `require`, `include_once`, `require_once`)

25min

57. Recap & Practical Task: Create a Simple Log File System

40min

58. Input Sanitization: Filtering and Validating User Input

30min

59. Using `htmlspecialchars()` to Prevent Basic XSS

25min

60. Secure Password Hashing with `password_hash()` and `password_verify()`

25min

61. Basic File Upload Security

20min

62. Recap & Practical Task: Secure a User Registration Form

45min

63. Project Overview: Planning Blog Features and Database Schema

45min

64. Building the Public-Facing Blog (Displaying Posts)

1hr 30min

65. Creating an Admin Panel for Basic Post Management (CRUD)

2hr

66. Implementing Simple User Authentication (Login/Logout)

1hr 30min

67. Final Review and Project Submission

1hr

68. Recap & Course Conclusion

40min

Instructor

Amit Chandrakar

Senior Full Stack Developer & Instructor

11 Courses

View Details

Courses Includes:

Price : ₹3000
Instructor : Michael Lee
Durations : 2 Weeks
Modules : 10
Language : English, Hindi
Level : Beginner
Certifications : Yes
Get Curriculum: Download

Course Details