If you have messed with the Google Maps API, you know that the JavaScript and API keys can be a real headache. Yes, there are very complex implementations that you can use, but what if you want…just a map? If you want just a map with no dynamic interface, Google Static Maps is just for […]

One of the biggest pet peeves I have when looking at (and unfortunately – working with) other people’s PHP code is the way they integrate their code into the HTML. Many people don’t take the time to organize, and they end up with a PHP & HTML mess. I believe that it is critical to […]

Using databases to store user identification, image information, and so much more for dynamic websites is the easiest way to ease maintenance. MySQL is the most popular choice of database, and in this article, I’ll explain the most basic functions: connecting and using a MySQL database and its respective tables.

Sometimes a complex PHP-built website can become tedious when dealing with minor changes to the template and HTML markup. Changing, for instance, a set of links (navigation) or other integral parts of a website, can become quite the lengthy process. In this article, I’ll share a technique that I sometimes use to make something as simple as a website navigation a little more automated using an explosive function.

Decision structures form the basis of all programming languages; just as they sound, these constructs move the program down a certain path depending on variables which are checked.  This gives a program functionality and the ability to handle different input and analyze the data within the script.

Encrypting sensitive data is extremely important. You, as the webmaster or database administrator, needs to make sure that the data is safe, even if it falls in the wrong hands. In this article, I will show you how to use MD5 and SHA1 encryption in PHP.

There are very few websites in existence that do not allow, for whatever function, uploading files via the browser. Whether for forum avatars, a gallery script, or even a school project, websites across the World Wide Web employ a myriad of upload scripts, including the ever-popular MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube. With this script and step-by-step […]

When a visitor navigates through a website, the server doesn’t know who you are from one page to the next. In other words, if you read this page, and then click on another article or link, the server can’t remember who you are! It is up to the developer to retain any data between page […]

PHP was originally designed as a tool to make a website’s HTML more dynamic, so it’s no wonder that it mixes well with existing HTML in your website. There are several options for defining your PHP blocks, and we will cover them all here.

Since PHP is a scripting language, creating your first PHP script is as easy as creating and saving a text file. In this article, you are going to be shown how simple it is to create your first PHP script.