The way I've transitioned between languages was to first do a syntax comparison: http://merd.sourceforge.net/pixel/language-study/syntax-across-languages.html h

The way I've transitioned between languages was to first do a syntax comparison: http://merd.sourceforge.net/pixel/language-study/syntax-across-languages.html http://merd.sourceforge.net/pixel/language-study/syntax-acro... Then take a crash course: http://cs.metrostate.edu/~fitzgesu/courses/ics325/summer04/Ch01Notes.htm http://cs.metrostate.edu/~fitzgesu/courses/ics325/summer04/C... Then learn about database interfaces: http://www.kitebird.com/articles/php-pdo.html http://www.kitebird.com/articles/php-pdo.html Then learn about programming patterns: http://www.rosettacode.org/wiki/Category:Solutions_by_Programming_Task http://www.rosettacode.org/wiki/Category:Solutions_by_Progra... Then learn about security: http://www.owasp.org/index.php/PHP_Top_5 http://www.owasp.org/index.php/PHP_Top_5 Then learn about error handling: http://www.w3schools.com/php/php_error.asp http://www.w3schools.com/php/php_error.asp Then learn about debugging: http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/php/2004/08/12/DebuggingPHP.html http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/php/2004/08/12/DebuggingPHP.html Then learn about idioms: http://www.cybersprocket.com/wiki/index.php/Eric's_PHP_Guide http://www.cybersprocket.com/wiki/index.php/Eric's_PHP_Guide Then read a comprehensive book: http://www.ubookcase.com/book/Sams/PHP%205%20Unleashed/ http://www.ubookcase.com/book/Sams/PHP%205%20Unleashed/ Then learn about optimization: http://progtuts.info/55/php-optimization-tips/ http://progtuts.info/55/php-optimization-tips/ I've used PSPad, Komodo Edit, and Aptana Studio Community Edition for PHP editing, and recommend them all. I've tried CakePHP and Drupal, but had trouble with the documentation and syntax of both compared to pure PHP. Wordpress has great documentation, community support, and readable sourcecode.