PHP scripts embedded into the HTML codes. When someone checks the source code of the page, he doesn't get anything about PHP scripts. He only learns the HTML part of coding. This article is an introduction to PHP scripting language. One can find useful information and have enough knowledge after reading my PHP tutorial series. Without delay, I would like to start my script creation step by step.

Before starting, you should know that you have to set up PHP installations into your computer. Such installations are PHP itself, Phpmyadmin interface, Mysql database and Apache Server. Without these, your scripts are nothing since they are not compiled by your computer.

Step 1:

To write PHP scripts, we need a place. That place is a simple text editor. You are free to choose your text editor. I prefer to use Notepad. There are other alternatives like Editplus or Elfima. If your operating system is not Windows but Linux, you can place your code into Vi editor or Pico. I have never tried but I think you can use Dreamveawer, Hotdog or Frontpage.

In your text editor, open an new file and save it as “myfirst.php” or “myfirst.html” . I choose the name of file as “myfirst” but you are free to choose anything.

Step 2:

I have told you before that PHP scripts are embedded into HTML codes. So, first of all we will write HTML codes. The basic codes are HTML, TITLE, HEAD and BODY. It can be written by lowercase letters as well. This part is not important.

Step 3: All PHP scripts start with “ ”. Only the part between two is compiled by server and evaluated as output.To print characters on the screen, standart output functions of PHP are used. Those are “ print ” and “ echo ”. In some circumstances, ” printf ” is used too.

The format of printing:

1. print ( “ your output ” ) ;
2. print “ your output ” ;
3. echo “ your output ” ;
4. echo ( “ your outpu t” ) ;

If you don't use any white space characters, the strings are written without any separation. For example if you write this code;

• Print ( “ Word1 ” ) ;
• Print ( “ Word2 ” ) ;

It will be outputted as Word1Word2.

To remove this fault,white space characters are used. In PHP code part, between print functions, we place < br > code.

Example: To be more understandable,I will write a simple PHP script. Output will be the name of my favorite Triond writers.

To see the output, Click here.

Are The Correct Toolbars On?

Now let's try creating a spreadsheet. Before we begin, check that both the STANDARD and the FORMATTING toolbars are at the top of the screen.

If they are not:

• go to the VIEW menu
  • click on TOOLBARS

Click in the Standard and Formatting checkboxes

ENTERING DATA - START HERE!

Enter all the data as shown in the worksheet below. When you type in the title “PERSONAL SPENDING 2003” in cell A1, it doesn't matter if the cell doesn't appear wide enough to hold the text.

To let the computer know that you have finished a particular entry, you can either press the RETURN key, which will move you down to the next row, or press one of the Arrow keys, which moves you in the direction of the arrow.

NOTE: Don't worry if your spreadsheet looks different from the one below. You'll find out later how to change its appearance (for example, how to change column widths to fit your data).

Adjusting Column Widths & Row Heights

Some of the text in column A is too wide to fit the column. This is acceptable for a main heading (like PERSONAL SPENDING 2003 in row 1) but not for the text in other rows. If we want to change the width of the column so that we can see the whole text, there are various ways to do this:

Position your cursor on the line between A and B until it changes into a black cross with two arrowheads. You can then:

Either: click and drag until the column becomes the required width, then release the mouse button.

Or: simply double-click your mouse button. The column will automatically adjust to the width of the longest entry. You can also set a column width by selecting the whole column, going to the Format menu, then Column, Width and entering the exact size you require. Press OK.

Similarly, to adjust the height of a row, you can use the same click and drag method, or click on the number then Format, Row, Height, OK.

Try adjusting the width of column A, then the height of row 15.

Changing Data In A Cell

Although Excel looks quite different from Word, it has many of the same capabilities. Look at the Excel toolbars; you will see several icons that look familiar - CUT, COPY, PASTE, BOLD, ITALIC, UNDERLINE and so on.

If you know how to change the appearance of text in Word, you should be able to change the appearance of any data in Excel. Simply select the cell or block of cells and click on the appropriate icon. Try these changes:

Change the font size of the spreadsheet title (PERSONAL SPENDING 2003) to 14 point

Select all the month headings and make them Bold

Select all the expenses in column A and change their font from Arial to Times New Roman, size 12

Alignment

Notice how the spreadsheet has aligned the entries you have made. All text is aligned to the left while all numbers are aligned to the right. Try centering the heading in column E (OCT-DEC). First select the appropriate cells - in this case E4 to E14 - then click on the Centre icon.

Click somewhere else on the spreadsheet to deselect the cells E4:E14.

Centring Titles across a Number of Columns

We often centre the title across all the used columns. In this example we have used columns A to F. Position the cursor in cell A1 and select all the cells across to F1, using one of the methods explained in section 1.4. Click the “Merge & Centre” icon. Deselect the block of cells.

The six cells A1 to F1 have now been merged into one cell and the title is centered across this area:

Wrapping Text

Look at row 3: the last entry “Yearly Totals” is much wider than necessary. It would look better if the words were on top of each other instead of side by side.

To do this, select cell F3, then click on the FORMAT menu, followed by CELLS, then the ALIGNMENT tab.

Click in front of the checkbox called Wrap text, then on OK.

Changing Or Deleting Data In A Cell

It turns out that there is a data error in this spreadsheet. The figure for JAN-MAR Fares and Travel should be 127.63 not 217.63. There are two methods of changing the contents of a cell:

Select the cell (B5), press DELETE and type in the correct figures

Select the cell, position your cursor on the FORMULA bar and click. The cursor becomes an INSERTION BAR and you can now edit the entry as you would in Word. When you have finished, you can press the ENTER key.

Changing The Size Of The Screen View

If you find that your spreadsheet is so big that you can't fit all of it on the screen at the same time, you can adjust the PERCENTAGE VIEW of the sheet. Look at the percentage shown near the right-hand end of the Standard Toolbar. Click on the down arrow next to it and change to 75%.

If you prefer a percentage that is not in the list (e.g., 80%, 90%), click on the highlighted figure at the top, then type in your own preferred size. Press ENTER.

The spreadsheet on your screen should look like this:

Before continuing, make the following changes:

Change the title size to 12 points. (NOTE: Click in cell A1 to select the title)

Select all the month headings and turn off the Bold.

Select all of the expenses in column A and change their font from Times New Roman, size 12 to Arial, size 10

Change the figures for OCT-DEC back to right-aligned
Finally, save the file with the name SPEND.XLS

Close the document.

NEXT: Calculating Totals and Editing Formulae

What are the two types of input?

• Data
• Unprocessed text, numbers, images, audio, and video
• Instructions
• Programs
• Commands
• User responses

What input devices are available for those with physical limitations?

• Key guard allows users to rest hands on keyboard without accidentally pressing keys
• Head-mounted pointer controls pointer on screen
• New developments include gesture recognition and computerized implant devices

What are recommended input devices for power users?

• Enhanced keyboard or ergonomic keyboard
• Mouse
• Stylus and portable keyboard for PDA
• Pen for graphics tablet
• 48-bit 1200 × 1200 ppi color scanner
• 5- or 6-megapixel digital camera
• Headset that includes a microphone
• PC video camera

What are recommended input devices for large business users

• Enhanced keyboard or ergonomic keyboard
• Mouse
• Stylus and portable keyboard for PDA or digital pen for Tablet PC
• Touch screen
• Light pen
• 42-bit 1200 × 1200 ppi color scanner
• OCR/OMR readers, bar code scanners, MICR reader, or data collection devices
• Microphone
• Video camera for video conferences
• Fingerprint scanner or other biometric device

What are recommended input devices for mobile users?

• Wireless mouse for notebook computer
• Trackball, touch pad, or pointing stick on notebook computer
• Stylus and portable keyboard for PDA or digital pen for Tablet PC
• 2- or 3-mega pixel digital camera
• Headset that includes a microphone
• Fingerprint scanner for notebook computer

What are recommended input devices for small office/home office users (SOHO)?

• Enhanced keyboard or ergonomic keyboard
• Mouse
• Stylus and portable keyboard for PDA or digital penfor Tablet PC
• 36-bit 600 × 1200 ppi color scanner
• 1- or 2-mega pixel digital camera
• Headset that includes a microphone
• PC video camera

What are recommended input devices for home users?

• Enhanced keyboard or ergonomic keyboard
• Mouse
• Stylus for PDA
• Joystick or wheel
• 30-bit 600 × 1200 ppi color scanner
• 1- or 2-mega pixel digital camera
• Headset that includes a microphone
• PC video camera
• Smart display