Learning PHP & MySQL: Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Database-Driven Web Sites (Paperback)

by Michele Davis (Author), Jon Phillips (Author)
Key Phrases: package manager, file manipulation, session security, Cancel Figure, Ellen Siever, Click Next (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
PHP and MySQL are quickly becoming the de facto standard for rapid development of dynamic, database-driven web sites. This book is perfect for newcomers to programming as well as hobbyists who are intimidated by harder-to-follow books. With concepts explained in plain English, the new edition starts with the basics of the PHP language, and explains how to work with MySQL, the popular open source database. You then learn how to put the two together to generate dynamic content. If you come from a web design or graphics design background and know your way around HTML, Learning PHP & MySQL is the book you've been looking for. The content includes: PHP basics such as strings and arrays, and pattern matching A detailed discussion of the variances in different PHP versions MySQL data fundamentals like tables and statements Information on SQL data access for language A new chapter on XHTML Error handling, security, HTTP authentication, and more Learning PHP & MySQL explains everything from fundamental concepts to the nuts and bolts of performing specific tasks. As part of O'Reilly's bestselling Learning series, the book is an easy-to-use resource designed specifically for beginners. It's a launching pad for future learning, providing you with a solid foundation for more advanced development.

About the Author
Michele E. Davis has co-authored and authored over 11 books and has owned a technical writing and software training company since 1988. Michele contributed to the "HTML Bible 4.0" (Wiley), and has an MFA in Writing from Hamline University.

Jon A. Phillips is a software engineer who loves Open Source technology. He's been working with web development and databases for over 12 years and is always exploring new technology. Additionally, he co-authored "Dreamweaver 8 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies" with Michele Davis and others in July 2006.

Product Details

• Paperback: 428 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.; 2 edition (August 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596514018
• ISBN-13: 978-0596514013
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #50,651 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #20 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Languages & Tools > XHTML
  #25 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Web Development > Programming > PHP
  #29 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Databases > Specific Databases > MySQL & mSQL

• This item is part of The O'Reilly Learning Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor writing and editing, November 19, 2007

By	Guy Tal (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews

It is not quite clear to me how any technical editor, let alone from a publisher specializing in technology books, could pass this text as is. It is quite obvious that the authors may know their way around developing simple database-driven web sites but completely miss basic programming topics (OOP, constructors, static variables etc. - all are explained in confusing and, at times, incorrect language).

Add to that grammatical errors, and perhaps a reminder that "kraut" is a derogatory term better left out of a mainstream publication, and it's quite baffling how this book made it to print in its current form.

I haven't seen other publications on the topic to compare against but this one certainly was a disappointment.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Contains countless typos and mistakes, February 18, 2008

By	Love to Sing (California, USA) - See all my reviews

I have not bought a textbook in over five years. Back then, O'Reilly was a reputable brand. So when I needed to learn PHP and MySQL, I bought this book without doing any research. I will never blindly buy an O'Reilly book again.

I got to page 11 before finding my first typo. After that, I lost track of all the typos and coding mistakes I've seen. Mind you, this is the 2nd edition of this book. Clearly, the authors did not proofread their book, nor did anyone else at O'Reilly, nor did anyone who read the 1st edition (?). I have learned to not trust anything in this book and instead use google for my php/mysql questions. Also, the mistakes are not all obvious typos -- some are mistakes in reasoning, which I can catch because I have extensive experience with computers.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for PHP Beginners, April 29, 2008

By	Monty Cook - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Maybe a genius or someone who already understands PHP basics will benefit from this book. I have made great progress with a number of instructional books, but got stuck in Chapter three of this one. It seems that important terms and concepts are not explained, not explained well, or explained in pages after the terms and concepts are first used.
I'm going to search for another book on PHP & MySQL.