======================================= This message is for the benefit of new subscribers and those new to PHP. �Please feel free to add more points and send to the list. ======================================= 1. If you have any queries/problems about PHP try http://www.php.net/manual/en first. You can download a copy and use it offline also.
Please also try http://www.php.net/manual/faq.php to get answers to frequently answered questions about PHP (added by Christophe Chisogne). 2. Try http://www.google.com next. Searching for "php YOUR QUERY" may fetch you relevant results within the first 10 results, if you are lucky. 3. There is a searchable archive of the mailing list discussion at http://phparch.com/mailinglists. Many of the common topics are discussed repeatedly, and you may get answer to your query from the earlier discussions. For example: One of the repeatedly discussed question in the list is "Best PHP editor". Everyone has his/her favourite editor. You can get all the opinions by going through the list archives. If you want a chosen list try this link : http://phpeditors.linuxbackup.co.uk/ (contributed by Christophe Chisogne). 4. Not sure if PHP is working or you want find out what extensions are available to you? Just put the following code into a file with a .php extension and access it through your webserver: <?php � � � � phpinfo(); ?> If PHP is installed you will see a page with a lot of information on it. If PHP is not installed (or not working correctly) your browser will try to download the file. (contributed by Teren and reworded by Chris W Parker) 5. If you are stuck with a script and do not understand what is wrong, instead of posting the whole script, try doing some research yourself. One useful trick is to print the variable/sql query using print or echo command and check whether you get what you expected. After diagnosing the problem, send the details of your efforts (following steps 1, 2 & 3) and ask for help. 6. PHP is a server side scripting language. Whatever processing PHP does takes place BEFORE the output reaches the client. Therefore, it is not possible to access the users' �computer related information (OS, screen size etc) using PHP. You need to go for JavaScript and ask the question in a JavaScript list. On the other hand you can access the information that is SENT by the user's browser when a client requests a page from your server. You can find details about browser, OS etc as reported by this request. - contributed by Wouter van Vliet and reworded by Chris W Parker. 7. Provide a clear descriptive subject line. Avoid general subjects like "Help!!", "A Question" etc. � Especially avoid blank subjects. 8. When you want to start a new topic, open a new mail composer and enter the mailing list address [EMAIL PROTECTED] instead of replying to an existing thread and replacing the subject and body with your message. 9. It's always a good idea to post back to the list once you've solved your problem. People usually add [SOLVED] to the subject line of their email when posting solutions. By posting your solution you're helping the next person with the same question. [contribued by Chris W Parker] 10. Ask smart questions � http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html [contributed by Jay Blanchard) Hope you have a good time programming with PHP. Best regards, -- Integrated Management Tools for leather industry ---------------------------------- http://www.leatherlink.net Ma Siva Kumar, BSG LeatherLink (P) Ltd, Chennai - 600106 -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
