PHP Object-Oriented Solutions [Paperback]

David Powers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1430210117 | ISBN-13: 978-1430210115 | Edition: 1

With the surge of popularity of PHP 5, object-oriented programming is now an important consideration for PHP developers. This version-neutral book is a gentle introduction to object-oriented programming (OOP) that won't overburden you with complex theory. It teaches you the essential basics of OOP that you'll need to know before moving onto a more advanced level, and includes a series of prepackaged scripts that you can incorporate into your existing sites with the minimum of effort.

It shows how object-oriented programming can be used to create reusable and portable code by walking you through a series of simple projects. The projects feature the sorts of things developers run up against every day, and include a validator for filtering user input, a simple Date class that avoids the need to remember all the esoteric format codes in PHP, and an XML generator.

• Teaches the fundamentals of OOP
• Simple projects show how OOP concepts work in the real world
• Prepackaged scripts can easily be added to your own projects

What you’ll learn

• PHP features, such as the Standard PHP Library (SPL), that are poorly documented or ignored by existing books
• How to develop classes of their own
• OOP in easy-to-understand language without getting bogged down in dense theory
• Solid foundations for developers wishing to delve more deeply into OOP
• How to leverage the strengths of OOP as a means for creating reusable code that can be used successfully within a procedural context
• How to code for both PHP 5 and 6

Who this book is for

This book is aimed at intermediate-level PHP developers who want to take their skills to the next level by exploring object-oriented programming as a way of creating reusable code for a everyday website tasks. A typical reader would be someone who has read one of the author's previous titles, such as PHP Solutions, or one of the PHP books for Dreamweaver and feels ready to tackle something a little more challenging.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Powers is a PHP 5.3 Zend Certified Engineer and author of a series of highly successful books on PHP, including PHP Solutions: Dynamic Web Design Made Easy, Second Edition (friends of ED, ISBN-13: 978-1-4302-3249-0) and Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 with PHP: Training from the Source (Adobe Press, ISBN-13: 978-0-321-71984-3). As a professional writer, he has been involved in electronic media for more than 30 years, first with BBC radio and television and more recently with the Internet. His clear writing style is valued not only in the English-speaking world; several of his books have been translated into Spanish and Polish.

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 built up an online bilingual database of economic and political analysis for Japanese clients of an international consultancy.

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 has also translated several plays from Japanese.

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: friendsofED; 1 edition (August 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1430210117
• ISBN-13: 978-1430210115
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best way to learn OOP in PHP, October 19, 2009

By 

Maarten v K (Holland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PHP Object-Oriented Solutions (Paperback)

I have read a few books on OOP (there is always something new to learn), but this one is the best by far.
Good constant level of complexity; not too abstract, not too easy, but something to put your teeth in, sweat a little, but in the end come to a good understanding of the subject without frustrations.
There are many examples following the to the point explanations. It's always a challenge for an author I guess to address the reader at a good adequate level to hold his/her attention. Knowing where the bottlenecks are. Giving a concrete example when it start to become abstract. Offering meaningful cases. The author does al that!
This book is a real must for anybody who wants too start learning OOP from the beginning, although it's recommendable to know a good deal of (procedural) php when starting with this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I liked this one alot, October 12, 2008

By 

Lee Thornton "Lee thornton" (Fort Lauderdale) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PHP Object-Oriented Solutions (Paperback)

This book really covered alot of topics that I work with on a daily basis and showed me step by step how to implement then using OOP. I was really pleased with the lessons and I learned alot from this book. I recomend it to anyone who is trying to move to the Object Oriented PHP way of doing things.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you wanna be sure to get it... here's the way., October 8, 2009

By 

Maria E. Judge - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PHP Object-Oriented Solutions (Paperback)

The book is pretty straight foward, and presents the subject matter in a down to earth, understandable way. Plus it's well organized so it makes a rather handy reference as well. If I had to gripe about one thing it's the quantity of information in the book. It's a great book, don't get me wrong, but I would have loved for it to keep going. Help me understand more. Perhaps another volume is on the way?