Help ! I need help starting up on Php !

[onauc]

Hiya,

Ok, I really need help now.
I want to learn Php programming.
I use windows but I guess the Php scripts I write will be running on Unix/Linux since most webservers of this world are Uniz/linux.

Now, my question is :

Since there are 2 Php versions (one for Windows and one for Unix/Linux) then will that cause any trouble ?
I mean, the tutorials out there, is there a windows tutorial version and a Unix/Linux tutorial version ?
If I read the Windows tutorials and the source codes from it then will they work in webservers under Unix/Linux and vice-versa ?

Frankly, I am stuck !
I do a search on google and many websites come-up and one says do this and another says do that.
So, what should I do ?
Where do you recommend I go to download and install Php ?
I know, I can always use my webhost's server to upload the Php codes and experiment there but that would mean me losing a lot of band-width while "experimenting" and that's why I preferred to download and install Php on my own computer (Windows) but I am worried that the codes that will work on Windows (my computer) might not work on Unix/Linux (my website).
Actually, I can't afford to learn 2 versions of Php (one WIndows and one Unix/Linux) because it is hard enough to learn one version (syntax) in the first-place.
So, what do you all suggest ?
I definietly need help here as I am totally stuck and don't know what to do.
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I would like to come-up with my own "Compression Algorithm" and teach that to the browsers so you can now show streaming videos and lengthy animations from your website without losing an arm and a leg on your band-width.
:)

[tanveer]

Hello onauc,
As far I know the answer of your first question is NO, there won't be any problem.
The same code will run on both OS and YES they will work on linux webserver.
For Win platform I recommmend PHPTRIAD. Search google by typing phptriad then Just download it and simply install it. In C drive you will have a folder named apache. Inside apache there will be another folder named htdocs, just put all your php files there. Then from start menu you will find PHPtriad and from there just launch apache server.
Open IE and type [http://localhost/php-filename] ; this will do the magic.
For linux, if you are familiar with it then it won't be a problem at all. At the time of installation if you choosed EVERYTHING to install then everthing you need it already there. just put all of your php files in /var/www/html folder. To start apache webserver in linux just give the command service httpd start/restart . Open any browser and in address field type [http://localhost/php-filename.] This will show you a default apache web page.
quantum and other gurus can answer this more precisely. Hope I made myself clear.

[quantum]

Ditto with tanveer. The two versions of php are compiled for different OSs. But they essentially perform the same function. ie. to render php codes to browser-compatible languages. As a php developer you need not to worry about the php engine to develop php applications. So long as your php systax is alright, it will run okay on linux or windows machine. Also there is nothing like php tutorial for windows and php tutorial for linux. The idea is pretty funny. lol. JK.

For development on windows machine download phptriad from here. But also get the upgrade from the same page.

[http://sourceforge.net/projects/phptriad]

Then, if you wish you may also download the latest binary files from mysql.com and install it in the C:\\apache\mysql.
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