Regarding PHP.
Every time the issue of language choices is raised and php is suggested, many are quick to speak against learning php. I've gotten the impression that php is something I should stay away from, but I am very interested in learning it. Is it worth learning? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Should I just stick with Python (the only language I know currently)? Many of you also say that php will teach you bad habits. It'd be nice to list them so that I, and perhaps others, can stay clear of adopting such habits.
Thanks.
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edit: I should be more clear here. There are lots of good reasons to learn PHP, eg. you want to work on a project or job that uses it.
If you want to learn it to expose yourself to new things, some other language is probably a better choice. If you want to learn it because you think that it's a better choice for a particular application than Python, I suspect you're wrong.
After enough experience at programming you'll begin to realize understanding 'how to program' is fundamentally different from knowing one particular language or another. It's a logical mindset and way of thinking or problem solving that ultimately matters. Language is just syntax and can be picked up in under 24 hours for most languages once you understand 'how to program'.