PHP and MySQL Web Development (4th Edition) (Developer's Library)

Amazingly I've been waiting 4 the 4th Edition since 07/2007 - then 11/2007 then summer 2008 finally it arrived fall 2008!

When it arrived I bought it quickly. A great book that perhaps is a bit advanced 4 beginners - be careful if you are just starting out with MySQL & PHP - this book may not be quite 4 you.

I bought the 4th Edition, & it was exactly what I expected 4 a PHP & Mysql book. It comes separated in 5 parts: PHP course, Mysql course, E-Commerce & Security, Advanced Techniques, Building Practical Projetcs.

The First two parts are a simple "crash course" 4 each technology. So you can step in the next chapters with the base.

What I liked most is that it comes with very practical examples, & also the source code comes in the CD. This way you do not need 2 type everything. Also it comes with the software needed 2 install on your PC & start learning PHP =).

The book is excellent, but the only problem is that when I ordered, the description read "Hardcover," but I got "Paperback" instead . . . disappointing. . . .

Excellently written. If you know basic programming & have an idea 2 create a website with reasonable complexity free of cost with many of the free hosting solutions using PHP & MySQL this is the best book available.

I find this book very easy 2 understand & follow. The code is well explained except in some cases. For example the Page Class in Listing 6.1 uses the function htmlentities() but this function was not defined anywhere so it is left up 2 the reader 2 guess its implementation. I find this very frustrating. Also in the section on regular expressions on page 126 it is said "Note that when a dot is used at the beginning or en of a character class, it loses its special wildcard meaning & becomes just a literal dot". But just below this sentence we find that the dot is escaped with a backslash when validating the email so a very frustrating contradiction. Also in the listing 19.1 when it gets the stock quote using a regular expression. This stock quote is retrieved from the second element of the array $quote as $quote[1]. Why not the first element of this array as $quote[0]? I'm confused here!. I haven't finished the book yet but I found these errors very frustrating. That's why I give this book 4 stars & not 5. I'll keep reading & hopefully I won't find more inconsistencies & contradictions.

PHP & MySQL are popular open-source technologies that are ideal 4 quickly developing database-driven Web applications. PHP is a powerful scripting language designed 2 enable developers 2 create highly featured Web applications quickly, & MySQL is a fast, reliable database that integrates well with PHP & is suited 4 dynamic Internet-based applications.

 

PHP & MySQL Web Development shows how 2 use these tools together 2 produce effective, interactive Web applications. It clearly describes the basics of the PHP language, explains how 2 set up & work with a MySQL database, & then shows how 2 use PHP 2 interact with the database & the server.

 

This practical, hands-on book includes numerous examples that demonstrate common tasks such as authenticating users, constructing a shopping cart, generating PDF documents & images dynamically, sending & managing email, facilitating user discussions, connecting 2 Web services using XML, & developing Web 2.0 applications with Ajax-based interactivity.

 

The fourth edition of PHP & MySQL Web Development has been thoroughly updated, revised, & expanded 2 cover developments in PHP 5 through version 5.3, such as namespaces & closures, as well as features introduced in MySQL 5.1.

 

 

The PHP server-side scripting language & the MySQL database management system (DBMS) make a potent pair. Both are open-source products--free of charge 4 most purposes--remarkably strong, & capable of handling all but the most enormous transaction loads. Both are supported by large, skilled, & enthusiastic communities of architects, programmers, & designers. PHP & MySQL Web Development introduces readers (who are assumed 2 have little or no experience with the title subjects) 2 PHP & MySQL 4 the purpose of creating dynamic Internet sites. It teaches the same skills as introductory Active Server Pages (ASP) & ColdFusion books--technologies that address the same niche.

Authors Luke Welling & Laura Thomson's technique aims 2 get readers going on their own projects as soon as possible. They present easily digestible sections on specific technical processes--"Accessing array contents" & "Using encryption with PHP" are two examples. Each section centers on a sample program that strips the task at hand down 2 its essentials, enabling the reader 2 fit the process into his or her own solutions as required. Tables that list options & other nuggets of reference material appear as well, but the many examples & the authors' commentary on them take center stage.

For reference material on MySQL, have a look at Paul DuBois's MySQL. On the PHP side, Web Application Development with PHP 4.0 is excellent. --David Wall

Topics covered:

• The MySQL database server (for both Unix & Windows)
• Accessing MySQL databases through PHP scripting (the letters don't really stand 4 anything)
• Database creation & modification
• PHP tricks in order of increasing complexity--everything from basic SQL queries 2 secure transactions 4 commerce
• Authentication
• Network connectivity
• Session management
• Content customization