Learning path · Beginner

PHP & MySQL Backend

Server-rendered applications with a real database.

Learn the stack behind a huge share of the web. Build forms, sessions, authentication and a database-backed application with PHP 8 and MySQL, then deploy it safely.

7 weeks 3 courses 36 lessons 3 certificates

Start this path Browse tutorials

The sequence

3 courses, in the right order.

Each step assumes only what came before it. Follow the sequence or jump to a course you need.

Step 1 · Beginner

PHP for the Web

Open course

PHP still runs a huge share of the web. Learn modern PHP 8 with strict types, prepared statements, sessions and a small guestbook you can deploy. No framework required.

PHP from first script to a working app

0/10 lessons0%

PHP for the Web

Step 2 · Beginner

MySQL

Open course

Learn MySQL from queries to operations: filtering, joins, aggregation, indexes, transactions, users, backups and the query plans that explain slow pages.

MySQL from first query to production

0/10 lessons0%

MySQL

Step 3 · Beginner

Git & GitHub

Open course

Track changes, recover mistakes, branch safely and collaborate through pull requests. Learn the small set of Git and GitHub commands that covers almost everything, from stash and rebase to tags, CI and the object model.

Version controlSet up and understand GitCollaborationFix and recoverMerge and rewriteTeam workflowUnder the hoodProject

0/16 lessons0%

Git & GitHub

Portfolio project

Deploy a small publishing app

Build a small app where staff publish lessons and learners read them.

about 7 hours Portfolio piece

The brief

Create a PHP application with a MySQL database, an admin form, validation, authentication and a public listing. Add pagination, search and a guestbook-style comment thread.

DeliverableThe repository, a seeded database dump, a deploy script and a short operations note.

Stretch goals

Add a role for editors.
Add rate limiting to the login route.

Acceptance criteria

0/6

Every query uses a prepared statement.
Output is escaped at the template boundary.
Passwords use password_hash and password_verify.
Sessions regenerate after sign-in and cookies are Secure and HttpOnly.
A backup can be restored into a scratch database.
The application uses a least-privilege database user.

Path complete

Finish with proof, not just a folder of files.

Complete every course in this path to collect 3 verifiable certificates. Each one has a unique public ID and a QR code that resolves to a live status record.

How certification works Verify a credential

PHP & MySQL Backend36 lessons · 8 hours

PHP for the WebMySQLGit & GitHub

Other paths

All paths

01Most popular

Learning path

Frontend Developer

The complete starting point for a career in the browser. Build structure with HTML, shape it with CSS and make it react with JavaScript — then prove it with a certificate.

Portfolio project included

3 courses

8 weeks Certificate included

02Beginner

Learning path

Python from Zero

Learn to think in programs. Start with values and logic, build up to functions and files, and finish with an automation script that saves real time.

Portfolio project included

1 course

5 weeks Certificate included

03Beginner

Learning path

Data Foundations

Combine SQL and Python to clean, query and summarise data. Designed for analysts, operators and anyone who works with spreadsheets that have outgrown them.

Portfolio project included

2 courses

6 weeks Certificate included