Journal RM6f9's Journal: Ask coder subset 1
Okay, it's like this: I'm ignorant, not stupid. The difference in definition is that ignorance can be cured by education - stupid involves a willful refusal to admit ignorance.
To the point: I wish to learn how to write scripts: scripts that will replicate web pages; scripts that will force information input into a database into a multi-level market style matrix; script that will deliver multiple automatic responses via email on a set schedule; script that will batch payments to be processed via PayPal - all automatically (except the pay script, I want a one-button approval for that one) - It's a tall order - I've shopped around online, the providers of these items want upwards of $1200.00 for a packaged setup that (they say) will do what I'm imagining.
Other than A BAD Place for wanting to do these things, where exactly should I start in order to be learning as I actually do the above? Any solid beginner-plus books/online references/freeware (please, not trial-ware) alternatives I'm not finding?
Thank you!!
Sounds like you want to learn a LAMP "P" language (Score:2)
perl, php, or python.
Perl is good for quick-and-dirty, but it really does look like line noise.
php has the advantage of being the #1 scripting language on the web ... its #1 for a reason, and if you know html, its easy to learn. Try hitting php.net and looking at the sample code, then head over to your local bookstore and buy just about any book (no one particular book stands out at this point).
python is not as popular ...