Build practical programming and technology skills

PHP Fundamentals

Write, organize, debug, and test PHP programs that process input, work with arrays and files, handle web requests, use sessions, and access a database.

View curriculum

FoundationDifficulty

30 hoursEstimated time

8 modules32 lessons

5 guided labsKnowledge check

Plan your learning

Path Brief

Skills you will practice

Php · Php Fundamentals
Php · Run Php Programs
Php · Values And Control Flow
Php · Arrays And Functions
Php · Forms And Request Data
Php · Files Sessions And Cookies

Prerequisites

No prior experience is required; basic computer and file-management skills are helpful.

Tools

A current web browser
A code editor or terminal appropriate to the path
A safe local or virtual lab environment

Before you begin

What you need

No prior experience is required; basic computer and file-management skills are helpful.

Step-by-step curriculum

Learning modules

Complete lessons in order or open the module that matches your current goal. Your lesson progress is saved on this device.

01Run PHP ProgramsBuild practical skill in run php programs and connect it to the outcomes of PHP Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Run PHP Programs: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Run PHP Programs in PHP Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Run PHP Programs in PHP Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Run PHP Programs safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Run PHP Programs Example in PHP Fundamentals

Run a PHP script, model one domain object, pass safe data into a template, and verify both normal output and an invalid input case.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Run PHP Programs Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Run PHP Programs, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Safe

Guided Lab: Run PHP Programs in PHP Fundamentals

PHP Fundamentals — Run PHP Programs lab: Run a PHP script, model one domain object, pass safe data into a template, and verify both normal output and an invalid input case.

Not started

02Values and Control FlowBuild practical skill in values and control flow and connect it to the outcomes of PHP Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Values and Control Flow: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Values and Control Flow in PHP Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Values and Control Flow in PHP Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Values and Control Flow safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Values and Control Flow Example in PHP Fundamentals

Represent a small order or profile using appropriate types, then validate or convert input from text.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Values and Control Flow Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Values and Control Flow, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Values and Control Flow in PHP Fundamentals

PHP Fundamentals — Values and Control Flow lab: Represent a small order or profile using appropriate types, then validate or convert input from text.

Not started

03Arrays and FunctionsBuild practical skill in arrays and functions and connect it to the outcomes of PHP Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Arrays and Functions: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Arrays and Functions in PHP Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Arrays and Functions in PHP Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Arrays and Functions safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Arrays and Functions Example in PHP Fundamentals

Extract repeated logic into a function, call it with several inputs, and test one boundary case.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Arrays and Functions Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Arrays and Functions, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Arrays and Functions in PHP Fundamentals

PHP Fundamentals — Arrays and Functions lab: Extract repeated logic into a function, call it with several inputs, and test one boundary case.

Not started

04Forms and Request DataBuild practical skill in forms and request data and connect it to the outcomes of PHP Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Forms and Request Data: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Forms and Request Data in PHP Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Forms and Request Data in PHP Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Forms and Request Data safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Forms and Request Data Example in PHP Fundamentals

Build a form or request validator with valid, missing, malformed, and boundary inputs.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Forms and Request Data Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Forms and Request Data, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Forms and Request Data in PHP Fundamentals

PHP Fundamentals — Forms and Request Data lab: Build a form or request validator with valid, missing, malformed, and boundary inputs.

Not started

05Files, Sessions, and CookiesBuild practical skill in files, sessions, and cookies and connect it to the outcomes of PHP Fundamentals.4 lessons · 1 lab

Lesson 1

Files, Sessions, and Cookies: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Files, Sessions, and Cookies in PHP Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Files, Sessions, and Cookies in PHP Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Files, Sessions, and Cookies safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Files, Sessions, and Cookies Example in PHP Fundamentals

Read a small text or JSON file, transform one value, write a new output file, and handle a missing input.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Files, Sessions, and Cookies Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Files, Sessions, and Cookies, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Guided lab · 55 min · Moderate

Guided Lab: Files, Sessions, and Cookies in PHP Fundamentals

PHP Fundamentals — Files, Sessions, and Cookies lab: Read a small text or JSON file, transform one value, write a new output file, and handle a missing input.

Not started

06Object-Oriented PHPBuild practical skill in object-oriented php and connect it to the outcomes of PHP Fundamentals.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Object-Oriented PHP: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Object-Oriented PHP in PHP Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Object-Oriented PHP in PHP Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Object-Oriented PHP safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Object-Oriented PHP Example in PHP Fundamentals

Run a PHP script, model one domain object, pass safe data into a template, and verify both normal output and an invalid input case.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Object-Oriented PHP Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Object-Oriented PHP, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

07Database Access with PDOBuild practical skill in database access with pdo and connect it to the outcomes of PHP Fundamentals.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Database Access with PDO: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Database Access with PDO in PHP Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Database Access with PDO in PHP Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Database Access with PDO safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Database Access with PDO Example in PHP Fundamentals

Create, update, read, and delete one record using the path’s database layer, including one invalid write.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Database Access with PDO Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Database Access with PDO, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

08Organization, Errors, and TestingBuild practical skill in organization, errors, and testing and connect it to the outcomes of PHP Fundamentals.4 lessons

Lesson 1

Organization, Errors, and Testing: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Understand the concepts, decisions, and vocabulary you need before applying Organization, Errors, and Testing in PHP Fundamentals.

25 min

Lesson 2

Set Up and Explore Organization, Errors, and Testing in PHP Fundamentals

Prepare the tools, data, project state, or test environment needed to explore Organization, Errors, and Testing safely and repeatably.

25 min

Lesson 3

Build a Practical Organization, Errors, and Testing Example in PHP Fundamentals

Write a small test suite for one function, service, route, or component with success and failure cases.

30 min

Lesson 4

Debug Common Organization, Errors, and Testing Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Recognize common failure modes in Organization, Errors, and Testing, use the relevant diagnostics, and verify the correction.

25 min

Portfolio integration

Capstone Project

Build a PHP Expense Tracking Application

Combine the path skills in a portfolio-ready project with clear functional requirements, tests, verification evidence, and operating notes.

GuidedIndependentPortfolio

Acceptance criteria

The core workflow works from start to finish.
Invalid input or failure states are handled clearly.
The result is tested and documented.
A reviewer can reproduce the setup and verification.

Continue in Programming

Related Programming

Skill assessment

PHP Fundamentals

Path Brief

Skills you will practice

Prerequisites

Tools

What you need

Learning modules

Run PHP Programs: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Run PHP Programs in PHP Fundamentals

Build a Practical Run PHP Programs Example in PHP Fundamentals

Debug Common Run PHP Programs Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Run PHP Programs in PHP Fundamentals

Values and Control Flow: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Values and Control Flow in PHP Fundamentals

Build a Practical Values and Control Flow Example in PHP Fundamentals

Debug Common Values and Control Flow Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Values and Control Flow in PHP Fundamentals

Arrays and Functions: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Arrays and Functions in PHP Fundamentals

Build a Practical Arrays and Functions Example in PHP Fundamentals

Debug Common Arrays and Functions Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Arrays and Functions in PHP Fundamentals

Forms and Request Data: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Forms and Request Data in PHP Fundamentals

Build a Practical Forms and Request Data Example in PHP Fundamentals

Debug Common Forms and Request Data Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Forms and Request Data in PHP Fundamentals

Files, Sessions, and Cookies: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Files, Sessions, and Cookies in PHP Fundamentals

Build a Practical Files, Sessions, and Cookies Example in PHP Fundamentals

Debug Common Files, Sessions, and Cookies Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Guided Lab: Files, Sessions, and Cookies in PHP Fundamentals

Object-Oriented PHP: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Object-Oriented PHP in PHP Fundamentals

Build a Practical Object-Oriented PHP Example in PHP Fundamentals

Debug Common Object-Oriented PHP Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Database Access with PDO: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Database Access with PDO in PHP Fundamentals

Build a Practical Database Access with PDO Example in PHP Fundamentals

Debug Common Database Access with PDO Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Organization, Errors, and Testing: Core Concepts for PHP Fundamentals

Set Up and Explore Organization, Errors, and Testing in PHP Fundamentals

Build a Practical Organization, Errors, and Testing Example in PHP Fundamentals

Debug Common Organization, Errors, and Testing Problems in PHP Fundamentals

Capstone Project

Build a PHP Expense Tracking Application

Acceptance criteria

Test your understanding

Related Programming

Check your starting point

Plan the capstone

Explore related paths