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2025 PHP for Beginners: every line used is fully explained (Udemy.com)

PHP for Beginners: Learn to Code in PHP. Every line of code explained in detail. A true PHP for Beginners Course 2025

Created by: Coding Academy

Last updated April 2025

Our take

Based on the ratings of 1,549 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in April 2025. No course pays to be reviewed.

This is a short, slow PHP starter. It runs about 7.6 hours over 150 lectures and sticks to the basics: operators, if statements, loops, built-in functions, strings, arrays, forms, your own functions, and sessions and cookies. Patrick, who teaches under the Coding Academy name, says plainly that object oriented PHP is not covered. The syllabus shows small scripts like a hit counter and a bad word filter rather than one large build. About 8,400 students have enrolled.

Reviewers keep returning to one point: Patrick comments on every line, so nothing feels skipped. Shawn Swisher says many courses are code-alongs where students learn to copy, and this one explains why. Nir Ronel calls it very basic and slow paced with many challenges. The complaints are small. One reviewer wanted a bigger project to build, and another says some videos are quiet and need the volume turned up. The course has no captions.

Of 1,549 ratings, 998 are five stars and only 15 are one or two stars, so the 4.6 average looks earned. The last update was April 2025, which is fine for PHP basics. A reviewer who knows other languages suggests playing the videos faster, though that person may prefer a quicker course. Beginners get a gentle start here, then will need a second course for OOP and databases. The first four sections are free to watch, which makes it easy to check the teaching style first.

Best forComplete beginners who want every line explained and small challenges along the way, not a big project.
Skip it ifYou already code in another language, or want OOP, databases or a full PHP project to build.

Pros

  • Patrick comments on every line of code, so no step is skipped
  • About 25 challenges with video solutions and downloadable code
  • Slow pace and small scripts suit people who have never coded
  • Reviewers say Patrick is always there to help, and the course was updated in April 2025

Cons

  • No object oriented PHP, databases or larger final project
  • Some videos are quiet, and the course has no captions
  • Only 4 quizzes and no in-platform coding exercises, so practice happens locally
One of the very best courses I've ever taken online. A lot of courses are simply code-a-longs, where you copy the code the instructor types on the screen. You learn how to copy, not how to code.
Shawn Swisher, a student

True beginner level. No PHP needed, though basic HTML helps and a local setup like XAMPP or MAMP is required.

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What you will learn

  • a true PHP for Beginners course with step-by-step lessons
  • learn how to code using PHP from a national award-winning teacher
  • you will be taken from absolute PHP beginner to confident coder with every step clearly explained
  • create dozens of useful PHP scripts
  • create a basic hit counter via sessions
  • create a bad word filter
  • create a 'How many days until Christmas' script
  • create and use HTML forms and process the data using PHP
  • create, read, update and delete sessions and cookies
  • access to regularly updated content including lesson notes, downloadable code, HD quality video tutorials, and quizzes
  • 25 PHP coding challenges (more added regularly) with full video solutions and downloadable PHP code
  • access real world coding challenges and examples including full video solutions and downloadable code
  • manipulate words and sentences (strings) using string functions
  • use mathematical operators to solve practical problems e.g. calculate the area of a circle if the user inputs the radius or diameter
  • use loops to simplify processes
  • use conditional statements to test properties and action processes based on the result
  • create and use simple arrays and solve problems involving array functions
  • use associative arrays and manipulate them using array functions
  • use PHP internal functions and create your own
  • use the date() function to perform calculations based on date
  • a tutor who responds quickly to questions and who regularly updates the course
  • 30 day money back guarantee!
  • ...and much more!

Course content

14 sections · 150 lectures · 7.6 hours of video 4 quizzes, 22 articles

  1. 1Introduction 2 free previews2 lectures · 12 min
  2. 2PHP Basics 7 free previews7 lectures · 1 quiz · 32 min
  3. 3Basic Operators 11 free previews12 lectures · 40 min
  4. 4IF Statements 5 free previews5 lectures · 1 quiz · 23 min
  5. 5Basic Loops11 lectures · 1 quiz · 25 min
  6. 6PHP Internal (in-built) Functions20 lectures · 49 min
  7. 7How to create a form in HTML and send data to a PHP script7 lectures · 1 quiz · 33 min
  8. 8More Internal Functions: Working with strings18 lectures · 31 min
  9. 9How to create and use basic ARRAYS and array functions 1 free preview33 lectures · 1.5 hours
  10. 10Associative Arrays in PHP6 lectures · 8 min

Who it is for

The instructor says it suits

  • No PHP coding experience is required - this is a true PHP for Beginners course
  • Complete beginners to PHP are welcome and encouraged to enrol
  • Anyone interested in learning PHP at a basic to intermediate level
  • If you are looking to learn complex Object Oriented Programming (OOP) then this course is NOT for you

What you need before you start

  • Have access to a computer with internet connection and browser
  • Some HTML and CSS knowledge would be beneficial but the tutor will explain everything as he goes
  • If you wish to use the downloadable code snippets then you should know how to open a zip file.
  • A functioning PHP development environment of your choice. E.g. Visual Studio Code with MAMP/XAMMP.

How it compares

Against the other 151 rated Udemy courses in PHP on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.6 out of 5higher than 79% of them
  • Reviews1,549#23 of 152 by number of reviews
  • Length7.6 hourslonger than 60% of them
  • Last updatedApril 2025more recently than 86% of them

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Course Description

REGULARLY UPDATED PHP FOR BEGINNERS COURSE  

  • FREE access to the first 4 sections of the course.  I strongly encourage you to watch the first 4 sections before you join. 

  • Every line of code used is explained

  • Full support with all questions answered promptly

  • 7 hours of video content

Students consistently say how much they LOVE this course due to its unique delivery method and challenges which enable you to use your new skills immediately. Join over 8000 other students who have successfully learnt to code in PHP by enrolling in this course.

STUDENT SUCCESS STORY:  From a grade D to A-

"Hello and thank you, Professor Patrick! I want to Thank you for all your support and help. I received an 'A-' for the course I was taking [at university]. Some people would say that was not good. But they have no idea how much I was struggling. And with your course and help my grade came up from a 'D' to the given grade [A-]. I'm still going using your course to keep my mind skilled in the information. Which I think is best so I will not forget how to perform and execute the information properly. Professor Patrick I truly cannot thank you enough!"  Adrienne Stiger


This PHP for beginners course introduces you to PHP through carefully crafted examples and fully worked tasks. Learning by doing is what this course is all about. You will experience real world examples of PHP code use.

Have you seen other courses that use complex terms or that jump steps and leave you thinking "why did that just happen"? You won't find that with this course because every line of code is explained and is very easy to follow.

This course has been designed with the coding beginner in mind or those who may have picked up bad habits and wish to refresh their coding skills.

On hand to help and guide you is a renowned national award-winning teacher who has taught 1000s of students over a career of over 25 years.

Highlights of this course include:

  • Full code from every example and mini task shared with you online

  • Carefully crafted challenges and full solutions with FULL explanations of every line

  • Demonstration of a shared coding environment

  • Dozens of real world examples with more added on a regular basis

  • A tutor who cares about his students

  • Regular updates and new challenges

Every line of code is explained in full detail to ensure that you can progress from absolute beginner to competent coder very quickly.

I am so confident that you will enjoy the course that I have provided FREE access to the first 4 sections. If you like my style then and want to continue to learn then JOIN NOW and follow the remainder of the course.

STUDENT REVIEW: " Amazing"

STUDENT REVIEW: "I’ve enrolled in many courses here on Udemy and to be honest I’ve abandoned most of them because they are like entertainment to me. I classify them as entertainment because knowledge without action is entertainment. This course is outstandingly different, since as you learn you’re challenged to act on that knowledge. I’m now a better programmer as a result of taking this course, previously I used to struggle with transferring my real world logic to computer code. I’m in no way saying that I’m an expert now but my thought process has been adjusted due to Mr. Morrow’s effective teaching method."

STUDENT REVIEW: "This was my first intro to php (in preparation for the php section of my coding bootcamp class I'm currently enrolled in), and the instructor explained everything really well. The pace was just right (for me). I already purchased his php part 2 course, so I can't wait to get into that! Excellent course, content, and instructor!"

STUDENT REVIEW: "Enjoyed this course and learned quite a bit, having the challenges to do, made me use my brain. Excellent instruction. Thank you Patrick. Now time to move onto your next course on PHP and MySQL."

STUDENT REVIEW: "Excellent beginner course, with practical and realistic tasks. Very efficient"

STUDENT REVIEW: "Now that I completed the course, I must say this is one of the best online courses that I participated in.The material is represented systematically, step by step and really every line of code is explained. The good practices are encouraged and as a content the really qualitative ground basic knowledge is taught. What really impressed me is that every example seems thoughtfully prepared in advance, no meaningless examples can be found, like in some other courses. The author encourages self development and the tasks are carefully prepared, to confirm the knowledge taught and to develop thinking and skills. I am really impressed!"


The above are just a few of many 1000s of positive reviews.  I encourage you to follow the first 4 sections of this course FREE of charge to see if it matches your needs and preferred learning style.  If it does then join the full course and follow the remainder of the course with full support.


THE DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT

IMPORTANT: Please read carefully

You are free to use ANY development environment including the one that you are already using (if any). In this course, I show you how to download and install Visual Studio Code and MAMP (both of which are FREE and available for Mac and Windows). 

If you are unsure about which code editor option is best for you then I encourage you to contact me and I will be happy to discuss the options with you.

You can also follow this course using your own preferred code editor. 

Once again, using Visual Studio Code with MAMP is OPTIONAL. You can use ANY suitable development environment of your choosing.


MY PROMISES TO YOU

As a registered teacher (yes, I teach in a real classroom every day), I strongly believe it is my job to ensure you feel totally supported when taking my classes. I therefore promise the following:

  • to respect you as a student and individual with your own learning needs

  • to be courteous and polite in our interactions

  • to answer your questions about the course content promptly

  • to fix any issues you may encounter with the lessons

  • to respond promptly to feedback

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Instructor Details

Coding Academy

I have been teaching students for over 30 years and focus on delivering content in a clear and concise manner. As a national award-winning teacher, I am passionate about education and still teach in the classroom today. My online courses across subjects including coding, game development, and mathematics have attracted many thousands of students across over 120 countries.

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Reviews

4.6

1,549 ratings on Udemy

Select a bar to show only those reviews.Select the bar again to show every rating.

By Richard Granberg on 11/26/2025

It's good so far - I'm a mainframe COBOL programmer and I'm used to using a Window's PC, but I've just purchased a Macbook Pro, so I'm struggling with the differences in the operating systems. :)

By Shawn Swisher on 7/9/2022

One of the very best courses I've ever taken online. A lot of courses are simply code-a-longs, where you copy the code the instructor types on the screen. You learn how to copy, not how to code. This course actually explains why you're doing what you're doing. Plus, the challenges allow you to prove you actually learned what you watched. Excellent course!

By Francis Bradford on 1/29/2022

So far it works for me, I had to take a long break and it is still here where I left off. I will leave more comments as I get through this course.

By Chris Ledford on 1/8/2022

Good intro to PHP! I had zero knowledge going in, this type of course was exactly what I needed.

By Jovan Trkulja on 9/27/2021

Really great course, I recommend this course to all beginners. Instructor is great, he explain everything simple and slowly so everybody can understand. Another good thing about course is challenges and those challenges explanation, the thought process when we resolve tasks. Thank you sir, I really liked this course and what I learned.

By C. S. on 9/7/2021

Very good explanation for beginners. The course could be a bit longer though (split into several parts which need to be purchased separately). However, the course was great and exactly what I needed (introduction to PHP basics).

By Steven Hutabarat on 1/13/2020

Mr. Patrick gives all the basic knowledge very well and also he gives "homework" which is very challenging even though some challenges still fail I will try to continue until I can ... I recommend this course to some people who really want to know all about the basics of PHP !!!

By David Haggett on 12/24/2018

This was an excellent course. The instructor was professional, clear and concise. The pace was ideal. The exercises were well-designed to put the code learned into practice. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn the basics of PHP. I raised a question and was amazed to get a response within 5 minutes! Thanks, Patrick.

By Thijs Wegkamp on 5/20/2018

This was my very first course on Udemy, so can't really compare, but I'm very happy with this course. I learned a lot and the challenges were fun, entertaining and pratical. Also, the teacher (Patrick) responds to questions really well and really fast. Love that! I look forward to the next course he'll be releasing on PHP!

By Thomas Colvin on 2/21/2017

I was Internet stupid when I started this web development stuff. No time wasting fluff at all. Patrick Morrow is methodical. There has not been one mystery so far in this course. He challenges students a little at a time and always gives the key at the end. I fully expect to give this course a 5 star when complete. This is the "start to finish" PHP course to take.

I love that he breaks down everything, including what characters are contained in a variable and incorrect and correct variables.

Seems to be a good and gentle introduction to PHP coding so far

Showing 12 of 63 reviews

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Quality Score

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Overall Score : 92 / 100