I'm new to PHP, should I use this software?

[eluser]xwero[/eluser]
If you haven't got any previous programming experience i think it's best you learn first about object-oriented programming and design patterns before you dive into CI. Those two are more important for programming using CI than knowing all the php functions.

Of course the basics like loops, arrays, getting data from forms and urls, ... are essential knowledge.

I think as a newcomer to php you should use only the database and the load library as helpers and write the rest of the code on your own. You will have the benefit of using the MVC pattern and learning the basics of php. It will not be production code but that will come as you move on.