[dezwald]

i've been developing in PHP for 6 years now....and i have tried many frameworks. the one i like the most in my opinion is CodeIgniter.

CodeIgniter is very flexible and not as strict when it comes to implementing your own code and (libraries/classes/plugins). It's very simple, implements great separation (in regard of its MVC archt.) which makes it easy to understand and use. The framework has great, easy to follow documentation with great forum support and a growing community.

i say just watch one of their video tutorials of their website and you'll see how easy it is to get started on a project.

As for an IDE editor:

if you're using windows....i HIGHLY RECOMMEND PhpED (by nusphere)

I have tested every possible editor out there and this one by far is the BEST. It's fully featured in every aspect, easily customized and runs fast!.

they have definitely taken programmers needs and dumped it into this application.

it's definitely worth a try at least.

just checkout the features here.

http://www.nusphere.com/products/phped.htm

[bprater]

I second playing with CodeIgniter first. It's very "liberal" in the way it allows you to set things up, which means you'll be learning PHP and not fighting the framework designer.

You aren't constrained by the framework. If you want to do queries in the controller, go for it.

[thorax]

Wow, I have the exact same feedback. I should have read this first, but consider his two recommendations as seconded (even with the cost of nusphere).

[henryw]

phpEd is excellent, Zend's PHP IDE is great too. Both have code completion and search through project and other great features that's not available on Notepad++ or other text editors.

[oltmans]

Thanks! I think PhpED isn't free :(