The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS4 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP (Essentials) [Kindle Edition]

David Powers (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Dreamweaver CS4 is a massive step forward in terms of integration with the rest of the CS4 suite (Flash, Fireworks, Photoshop, etc.), and also includes a whole host of exciting new features of its own. The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS4 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP concentrates on getting the best out of Dreamweaver CS4, rather than going into every menu item and toolbar icon. The emphasis is on developing websites compliant with the latest web standards, using CSS, JavaScript libraries (with particular emphasis on Spry, Adobe's implementation of Ajax), and PHP.

The book covers all aspects of the new user interface, including workspace layouts, iconic panels, the related documents feature, Live View, Code Navigator, and Live Code. It also shows how to use the improved CSS editing features, and JavaScript code introspection. There is also coverage of other new features, such as version control through Subversion integration, and the improved support for Photoshop integration through the use of Smart Objects.

What you'll learn

• Streamline your workflow with the Related Files toolbar, Live view, and the Code Navigator
• Bring your pages alive with Ajax widgets from Spry, jQuery, and the Yahoo! User Interface Library
• Use server-side includes, templates, and Adobe's InContext Editing online service
• Create dynamic web applications using Dreamweaver's PHP server behaviors
• Build real world web site functions, such as form validation, random quote generator, search function, user management/login pages, dynamic Ajax gallery, and much more
• Consume RSS feeds and create Spry data sets
• How to publish your site after you've created it

About the Author

David Powers is a professional writer who has been involved in electronic media for more than 30 years, first with BBC radio and television and more recently with the Internet. He has written or co-authored nine books on PHP and ActionScript, including the highly successful The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS3 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP, PHP Solutions, and PHP Object-Oriented Solutions. He is an Adobe Community Expert for Dreamweaver, and provides regular support and advice on PHP and other aspects of web development in several online forums.

What started as a mild interest in computing was transformed almost overnight into a passion, when David was posted to Japan in 1987 as BBC correspondent in Tokyo. With no corporate IT department just down the hallway, he was forced to learn how to fix everything himself. When not tinkering with the innards of his computer, he was reporting for BBC TV and radio on the rise and collapse of the Japanese bubble economy. Since leaving the BBC to work independently, he has dedicated himself to website development and writing.

When not pounding the keyboard writing books or dreaming of new ways of using PHP and other programming languages, David enjoys nothing better than visiting his favorite sushi restaurant. He is the Honorary Editor of the Japan Society in the UK, and has translated several plays from Japanese.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 27555 KB
• Print Length: 1000 pages
• Publisher: Apress - A; 1 edition (December 1, 2008)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001NLL8P6
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,567 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #91 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > Ajax

More About the Author

I specialize in writing about web design using Dreamweaver, PHP, and CSS. PHP is the most popular server-side language that brings life to websites by communicating with external data sources, such as databases, news feeds, and XML documents. Adobe has recognized my expertise in web development by appointing me an Adobe Community Professional (ACP) for Dreamweaver. You'll often find me giving help in the Dreamweaver forums and Dreamweaver Community Help. In 2010, I became one of the first to qualify as a PHP 5.3 Zend Certified Engineer.

Before turning my hand to writing about web design, I spent nearly 30 years as a BBC radio and TV journalist, working both in front of the microphone/camera and behind the scenes. That gave me a wealth of experience in explaining sometimes difficult concepts in straightforward, easy to understand language - experience which shows through in my books.

I spent a large part of my broadcasting career in Japan, first on loan from the BBC to NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, and later as BBC correspondent. I have traveled all over Japan, and love taking photos, many of which end up being used in my books. Over the years, I have worked closely with the Shiki Theatrical Company, Japan's leading producer of musicals; and have translated several of their plays into English.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Dreamweaver CS4 book for complex designs, especially if you use PHP, December 20, 2009

By 

Mary Straus (Pleasanton, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS4 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP (Essentials) (Paperback)

I purchased three books to help me learn Dreamweaver:

Dreamsweaver CS4 for Dummies
Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manual
The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS4 with CSS, Ajax and PHP (this book)

I started with Dreamweaver CS4 for Dummies, which I found to be a pretty good book. I was able to read it cover to cover (though it's not necessary to do so to get started). In addition to a good basic overview, it had a couple of very helpful tips in a chapter called "10 Resources You Might Need."

As my design became more detailed, I felt the need for a book that went into more depth and bought the other two books listed above. I like both books, but find I rely on The Missing Manual the most. Its writing is clear and easy to follow. The numerous tutorials give step-by-step instructions for a beginner on how to accomplish various tasks, with more advanced details included in the text.

I like The Essential Guide as well, but since I'm not using PHP, I find that there are areas where the advice they give simply doesn't work for me. For example, when I wanted to learn more about using templates, The Essential Guide gave only a very basic explanation, then went into far more detail about using PHP "includes" instead. While I agree that the PHP "includes" are probably the better choice, it's not one that is available to me since I don't have a PHP testing server (and don't want to go through the complexity of setting one up on my home computer). If you are using PHP, then this is definitely the book to get.

All in all, if I had to recommend one book to get started, it would be For Dummies, particularly if your needs are very simple and/or you're completely new to web site design. For those who want to move beyond the basics, I like The Missing Manual the best. This book could also be used by beginners as long as you're not put off by its length -- with over 1,000 pages, it's not one you'll be able to read cover to cover. I think The Essential Guide is best suited for those who want to create very complex designs, especially those that use PHP. It, too, is very clearly written, but more intimidating to a beginner. If you're a computer professional or experienced web site designer who really wants to exploit the power of Dreamweaver, this is the book to get.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Guide a MindFriendly Resource, April 28, 2009

By 

Richard W. Ritchie "webmathetic" (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS4 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP (Essentials) (Paperback)

The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS4 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP is a valuable resource for the DWCS4 user who wants to understand the more complicated DW tasks in a way that is friendly to the mind. Comprehensive in scope. Powers seems to provide mental hooks to help the reader grab the concepts, whether it's how to make the best use of the CSS tools, or how to easily latch on to all the new Dynamic PHP features. I was amazed at how quickly I was putting together my recent online store.
Lots of "Aha!" experiences.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!, June 27, 2009

By 

Alexandre Souza (Coral Springs, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Essential Guide to Dreamweaver CS4 with CSS, Ajax, and PHP (Essentials) (Paperback)

This book is a must have to all new Dreamweaver, MySQL and PHP users. The exercises are very good and very easy to follow.I had no previous experience with Dreamweaver, MySQL or PHP and now I can manage my new dynamic website!