Beginning PHP4 (Programmer to Programmer) [Paperback]

Wankyu Choi (Author), Allan Kent (Author), Chris Lea (Author), Ganesh Prasad (Author), Chris Ullman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0764543644 | ISBN-13: 978-0764543647 | Edition: 1

What is this book about?

PHP is a rapidly growing web technology which enables web designers to build dynamic, interactive web applications, incorporating information from a host of databases, and including features such as e-mail integration and dynamically generated images. PHP4 added tons of features to make web application development even easier, and this book will show you how to make the most of the language's powerful capabilities.

This book is a complete tutorial in PHP's language features and functionality, beginning with the basics and building up to the design and construction of complex data-driven websites. Fully working examples in the book include a directory-style web search engine, a mailing list management system, a web-based file editor, and a graphical online shopping mall guidebook.

What does this book cover?

Here are just a few of the things you'll find covered in this book:

• Complete tutorial in the PHP language
• Installation guide and troubleshooting tips
• Introduction to relational databases and MySQL
• Practical worked examples throughout, including a detailed case study
• All code written for both Windows and UNIX systems
• Detailed language reference included

Who is this book for?

Anybody who knows HTML can use this book. If you've done any programming, that will be useful, but it's not a requirement. You can run all of the code on either a Windows or UNIX (e.g., Linux) system, and the book explains how to set up a web server and database in both of these environments.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Beginning PHP4 offers an almost ideal introductory tutorial to one of today's hotter scripting languages. This book really is everything that the novice needs to start building dynamic Web sites that are powered by PHP4, but old hands at programming also will find in it valuable information.

PHP, of course, is introduced in the book, but there's also an approachable and effective introduction to programming in general. The conscientious tutorial on basic concepts like variables, keywords, and flow control will give even beginners an understanding of the basics of writing programs. PHP, it turns out, is not only a great way to generate HTML dynamically, but a very marketable skill. Web fundamentals like HTTP, HTML form variables, and managing session information using no less than four different techniques are explained thoroughly and effectively. You also find out how to install PHP and other tools on your system, with the assistance of plenty of screen shots.

That's not to say that this book will cramp the style of more experienced developers. Some chapters delve into such important and advanced topics as database programming (with MySQL) and PHP's support for XML. One standout section demystifies the new support for objects and classes in PHP4. Basic topics like managing files and directories on the server, plus graphics processing, are addressed, of course, and a nifty sample program shows you how to build a Web-based text editor. Except for the final case study--a "URL directory manager" (akin to Yahoo!) that's rather specialized--the examples are right on, and illustrate everyday programming tasks. You'll learn also how to generate e-mail with PHP--certainly a valuable skill to have.

The appendix lists several hundred PHP functions in over 50 pages--a handy and useful feature. In all, Beginning PHP4 provides a strong choice for learning about one of today's most powerful and easy-to-use scripting languages; it's concise, fast moving, and thoroughly approachable. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered:

Introduction to PHP 4 Downloading and installing PHP Basics of HTTP and Web pages PHP as a scripting language PHP data types Constants and conversions HTML primer Form variables Decision making in PHP Loops and arrays PHP functions Error handling in PHP Tips on writing more maintainable code Debugging hints Preserving state with hidden form variables

Query strings Cookies and PHP4 native sessions Using PHP objects File and directory functions PHP database programming Installing and using MySQL Tutorial for SQL syntax Querying and updating records XML "quickstart" for PHP users Creating e-mail and electronic newsletters PHP graphics processing (including image maps) Case study for a URL directory manager ODBC tutorial PHP4 function reference

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

This book assumes some familiarity with HTML and the mechanics of the web, but is for people new to PHP who want to start developing web applications. This includes HTML users, ASP and ColdFusion developers looking to learn a new platform and web development managers wanting to move development to Linux. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 816 pages
• Publisher: Wrox; 1 edition (November 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764543644
• ISBN-13: 978-0764543647
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,349,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Allan is a born and bred South African who still lives, works and plays in Cape Town. He has been programming in various languages and on diverse platforms for more than 20 years. He's currently the head of AtPlay, the digital division of Saatchi & Saatchi South Africa.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars by far the best beginning php book i own, April 3, 2002

By 

Amy M. Sheflin (Lafayette, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginning Php 4 (Programmer to Programmer) (Paperback)

Whenever anyone asks me which book I recommend for someone just starting out with PHP I recommend this one. The book is an excellent introduction to not only PHP but also to mySQL , database design, and elementary programming prinicipals such as arrays and datatypes. With confidence I can recommend this book to a beginner that has never used a database before (let alone designed one) or programmed before and know that with this one book they can get a handle on how to create a simple database driven php site. I found the examples to be excellent. In fact, I have reused code in this book on my projects several times.

As a book for beginners should be written, it assumes no prior knowledge whatsoever and is easy and enjoyable to read. The one thing the book does assume, which I think is a must, is prior knowledge of HTML and some Javascript. If you've never even built a webpage before, you should start with learning those 2 things first before picking up this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for the PHP Beginner, July 11, 2002

By 

JC-Austin "Jason" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beginning Php 4 (Programmer to Programmer) (Paperback)

I recently purchased this book, and as some of the other reviewers have said, it rarely leaves my desk. I found this book to be written at an ideal level of difficulty for someone with a good working knowledge of HTML, and NOTHING more.

This book has helped me develop from a static HTML designer to a capable PHP programmer. The book covers a number of topics that I'd always wanted to use on my sites, including: cookies, sessions, interactive forms, and database connectivity, including an introduction to using SQL to connect to a number of different databases.

The book has a number of tutorials and examples which perform the key function of transferring what you are learning into practical examples (often lacking in beginning books).

There is also a great appendix of functions that gives the new programmer a reference to which they can refer for quick answers. Finally, and maybe best of all, Wrox has a great Web site with a number of forums related to the topics covered in the book.

Overall, it's a great book for beginners. I used what I'd learned in the first week to add a number of dynamic features to my own Web sites, and the difference was instantly noticeable. Best of luck!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for the beginner - get this red book!, January 19, 2003

By 

Richard York (Camby, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beginning Php 4 (Programmer to Programmer) (Paperback)

I began php with two books, one being this wrox publication and the other a more advanced sams publication. The wrox publication was the fundamental lifesaver in my php learning. The examples were easy to follow. And wrox's p2p website and forums have proven to be a lifesaver again and again, providing a wonderful compliment to the book. It is not only a fabulous learning and how-to manual, but also makes a terrific reference. I would definitely recommend this book to the beginner. But not to sound like a complete advertisement! My experience with this book has truly been a positive one.