PHP Roadmap
Phase 1:Web Foundations
beginner2 weeksHTML and CSS
Structure and style web pages. PHP generates HTML, so knowing what valid HTML looks like is the baseline.
beginner1 weekHow HTTP Works
GET vs POST, request/response, status codes, and cookies. PHP is a request-handling language and this context makes everything else make sense.
beginner1 weekBasic SQL
Almost every PHP app reads from a database. SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, WHERE: the queries you will write from day one.
Phase 2:PHP Language Core
beginner1 weekVariables and Types
PHP is loosely typed but has a type system. Learn when PHP coerces types automatically and when that causes bugs.
beginner1 weekArrays and Functions
PHP's array functions (array_map, array_filter, usort) are the heart of most PHP data processing. Learn them well.
beginner1 weekForms and HTTP in PHP
How PHP reads $_GET and $_POST, validates input, and responds. The core request/response cycle every PHP developer writes constantly.
intermediate2 weeksOOP in PHP
Classes, inheritance, interfaces, and traits. Modern PHP (7.4+) and especially Laravel rely on object-oriented patterns throughout.
Phase 3:Laravel
intermediate1 weekRouting and Controllers
How Laravel maps URLs to code. Every Laravel app starts here.
intermediate2 weeksEloquent ORM
Laravel's database layer. Write database queries as PHP instead of raw SQL, with relationships, scopes, and migrations.
intermediate1 weekBlade Templates
Laravel's templating language for generating HTML. Clean, extensible, and separates logic from presentation.
intermediate2 weeksAuthentication and Deployment
Laravel Breeze gives you login, registration, and password reset in minutes. Then deploy to a real server so you have a live portfolio project.
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