Beginning PHP 5.3 [Paperback]

Matt Doyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0470413964 | ISBN-13: 978-0470413968 | Edition: 1

This book is intended for anyone starting out with PHP programming. If you’ve previously worked in another programming language such as Java, C#, or Perl, you’ll probably pick up the concepts in the earlier chapters quickly; however, the book assumes no prior experience of programming or of building Web applications.

That said, because PHP is primarily a Web technology, it will help if you have at least some knowledge of other Web technologies, particularly HTML and CSS.

Many Web applications make use of a database to store data, and this book contains three chapters on working with MySQL databases. Once again, if you’re already familiar with databases in general — and MySQL in particular — you’ll be able to fly through these chapters. However, even if you’ve never touched a database before in your life, you should still be able to pick up a working knowledge by reading through these chapters.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A solid introduction to writing powerful web applications using PHP 5.3

As one of the most popular open-source web-programming languages in use today, PHP is an ideal server-side scripting language that connects HTML-based web pages to a backend database for dynamic content. It allows you to create anything from a simple form-to-email script to a web forum application, a blogging platform, or a content management system. This guide introduces the PHP language and shows how to write powerful web applications using PHP.

• Looks at the ways that PHP programs interact with web servers and other technologies such as HTML

• Teaches you how to build robust web applications and change the flow of your scripts with decisions and loops

• Examines ways to create and use strings, arrays, objects, functions, and files in your scripts

• Shares tips for creating interactive web forms in PHP, as well as capturing user input

• Unveils methods for preserving an application's state between page views

• Offers advice on how to work with MySQL databases using PHP

• Includes best practices for using PEAR to speed up your application development

• Presents techniques for manipulating XML from within your PHP scripts

• Walks you through the creation and manipulation of web graphics using PHP

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Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.

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About the Author

Matt Doyle has worn many hats in his professional career, including working in the fields of system administration, computer training, software development, graphic design, and website creation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 840 pages
• Publisher: Wrox; 1 edition (October 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470413964
• ISBN-13: 978-0470413968
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Computers & Technology > Web Development & Design > Programming > PHP

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars How I wish I had this book back when I began learning PHP! February 5, 2010

By Lulio Vargas

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

How I wish there was a Matt Doyle's textbook back when I began learning PHP. Well, I guess, better late than never!

Having worked in technical education for many years, and more recently as a front-end web developer, I know how crucial it is for educators and web designers to have a good grasp of the workings of PHP. PHP is the most widely used programing language, developed from the ground up, to address the needs of the web browsing consumer.

Back in November 2009 while looking at new arrivals in the technology section at a local bookstore, I came across what I consider now, the ideal book on the subject of PHP. Beginning PHP 5.3 by Matt Doyle "speaks" directly to my urgent need to understand what PHP is all about. This textbook "magically" (to borrow a term used recently by Steve Jobs) has clarified my understanding of many concepts in PHP that for years I felt pretty fussy about!

In 800 pages, it does the best job I know on the PHP language basics, including an extensive treatment of PHP's advances in object-oriented programing. Even better, I now also have a chance with this book to be very much up to date on the newest features of PHP programming brought on by version 5.3. Advances like object overloading, abstract classes, interfaces, namespaces and XML parsers are treated by Matt Doyle in his characteristic down-to-earth style. What's more, he never forgets to illustrate further the various subjects treated in the book, with the most appropriate and simplest code examples available.

For schools with courses on programming, Beginning PHP 5.3 is, without a doubt, an excellent textbook. It even includes exercises at the end of every chapter, with the solutions at the end of the book.

As for me, I'm planning to donate my whole PHP book collection and just keep my copy of Beginning PHP 5.3 (together with its eBook version) for my own learning pleasure and ready reference.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I have read on PHP September 21, 2011

By loachman

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I rarely write reviews, but after finishing the book I felt compelled to. This book is the best book on PHP I have ever read, and I have read alot of them. Everthing from PDO, to Object Oriented Programming,Regular Expressions, Image Creation with GD, XML, and more is within the pages of this book.

Highly Recommended For Newbies and Pro's alike.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Really Awesome Book for a Beginner May 16, 2012

By Walkingfish.syc

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Purchased this book just beginning of this month, and I am on Chapter 8 as I am writing this book review. This book is really easy to follow if you want to get started with PHP programming. The best part that I like the most about this book is the exercises at the end of each chapter. It's a good way to test myself and go back to review some of the areas that I need to complete those exercises, then I can discuss with other programmers on wrox.com forum site.