I’m working on my first professional project. The fact is that I don’t know which are the best tools to produce something serious (I’m talking about web-develop through PHP):
- Are template engine like Smarty mandatory? Which one is “the best” (the most used, complete, documentated)
- At the moment I’m developing on Notepad++ (mostly because I find it useful and complete) is there a better development tool? Or is just a matter of personal taste?
- At the moment I’m studying JQuery and deepening my knowledge as regards CSS what other “mandatory” subjects can you suggest me?
This is what I can think of at the moment, have you any other suggestions?
Thank you.
EDIT: As someone made me notice the question is a bit ambiguous. I know the basics (HTTP protocol, Java Script, CSS, HTML, OOP theory and practice etc…). I’m studying computer science at the University (and the project I’m speaking of is my thesis). I need advise on how the “real world” works (outside my basement).
Specifically for PHP I’d recommend:
Learn a good framework. Depending on the size of the project, you can use Zend/Symfony or CodeIgniter/others for small ones. There are tons. I’d stick to Zend/Zymfony for something mid-sized and/or “real world”.
In general these frameworks come with a basic template engine or you can plug in other ones like Smarty or Twig. I’d say it improves the code a lot. So, yes to your first question.
Also, notepad++ is amazing, but I recommend using an IDE if you’re working on a project and not a simple 2,3 file script. I strongly recommend Netbeans. It has lots of teatures and it’s really active. Check it out: http://netbeans.org/features/php/
Since you’re coding in PHP, I’d say you get to know the SPL (Standard PHP Library): http://php.net/manual/en/book.spl.php
To sum up:
Strongly recommended to keep code clean and mainteinable.
Yes.Netbeans.
Yes. SPL, and a lot more I can’t think of now.