[mothered]

Bad idea.  You should hash it (salt comes later) and compare to hash, not too hard.

Everyone has to start somewhere though, the easiest way to learn a language imo is to do a project in it.  Add hashed passwords and features, continue building up until you feel it is finished, then move on to a new project.

Perfectly said.

I was going to mention hashing, but you've nailed It.