@kat@yarn.girlonthemoon.xyz I only listened to you while going through my photos, so I did not pay very close attention. :-)
Since you have a proper server – haha, not just one – and hence are not limited, I suggest you learn a real programming language and don’t waste your time with this PHP mess. It might have improved a wee bit since I was a kid, but it felt like some hacked together shit. The defaults also were questionable at best, it was easier to hold it wrong than right. This stands testament to bad design and is especially terrible from a security point of view.
You’re right, programming is like any other craft. You only truly learn by actually doing it. And this just takes time. Very long time to master it. Or as close to as it gets. The more you know, the more you realize what else you don’t know (yet). It’s a never ending process. So, take it easy, don’t get discouraged, happy hacking and enjoy the endeavor! :-)