A Programmer's Introduction to PHP 4.0 [Paperback]

W.J. Gilmore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2000

- Learn the fundamentals of PHP programming- no toy code here - Buid dynamic, database-drive Web sites - Lot of ready-to-use code for incorporation into your own Web site! In the fast-paced environment of Web development, developers are always looking for that special edge that can put them ahead of the competition. In recent years, PHP has stepped up to the forefront as the tool of choice for those wishing to build faster, robust and more scalable Web applications at a fraction of the cost of alternative technologies. W.J. Gilmore's A Programmer's Introduction to PHP 4.0 is a comprehensive guide to this latest versions of this popular open-source scripting language and the many roles it can play in web application development. A Programmer's Introduction to PHP 4.0 addresses experienced programmers and Web developers--no matter what language they are familiar with. The book begins with a rapid introduction to PHP's syntax and basic functionality, allowing readers to easily gain a general understanding of the language. The book then moves onto advanced issues like PHP's role in database manipulation, sessions and user-interactivity. The book also examines how PHP can work with XML, Javascript and the Component Object Model (COM). Gilmore fills the book with practical examples in addition to several projects that can be immediately incorporated into any Web site. A Programmer's Introduction to PHP 4.0 shows how to make the most of PHP's mighty capabilities and is invaluable to professional Web developers, regardless of their current level of PHP knowledge. About the Author W.J. Gilmore - W.J. Gilmore holds a B.S. in Computer Information Science from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Apress full-time, he was employed as an consultant, developer and technical writer for various organizations around the globe. He has also held positions as a Network Technician for The Ohio State Fisher College of Business and at an Internet Service Provider based out of Rome, Italy. W.J. is frequently published in a number of the Web's most popular Open Source related Websites, including Devshed, O'Reillynet, and Webreview.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

W. Jason Gilmore is a Columbus, Ohio-based developer, consultant, writer, and editor. He's a cofounder of the CodeMash conference and is a member of the MySQL Conference speaker selection board. In his previous capacity as Apress's open source editor, he fostered the publication of more than 60 books, along the way helping to transform the open source line into one of the industry's most respected publishing programs.

Through W.J. Gilmore, LLC, (WJGilmore.com) Jason provides an array of consulting and web development services to small businesses around the country. Contact Jason at [e-mail] if you're looking for competent, timely, and cost-effective services.

Product Details

• Paperback: 450 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 1st edition (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893115852
• ISBN-13: 978-1893115859
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,305,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

W. Jason Gilmore has been teaching developers from around the world about web development for over a decade, having written six books, including the bestselling "Beginning PHP and MySQL, Fourth Edition" and "Easy PHP Websites with the Zend Framework". He has published more than 300 articles within popular publications such as Developer.com, DevShed, JSMag, and Linux Magazine, and instructed hundreds of students in the United States and Europe.

Jason is cofounder of the popular CodeMash Conference, and was a member of the 2008 MySQL Conference speaker selection board.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done - A Programmer's Introduction to PHP 4.0, May 24, 2001

By 

Eric Pedersen (St. George, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Programmer's Introduction to PHP 4.0 (Paperback)

This book is well done. It is easy to understand and the code and examples are great. Its starts off with a section on the fundamentals of using PHP in a web site. It has a great section on File I/O and the file system. The most useful part of the text for me was the section toward the end of the book on dynamic web sites (chapters covering forms and databases - specifically MySQL).

I have read and reviewed (for text adoption at the college I work at) a number of PHP/MySQL books in the past year and I found the Gilmore text (A Programmer's Introduciton to PHP 4.0) targeted to people who already understand HTML and static web development and some basic programming concepts. The text is full of solid code and clear explainations.

This text is geared for people who want to implement an open source PHP and MySQL or other database solution. Mr Gilmore gets right to the point quickly brings you up to speed. Many of my junior and senior level students also liked the book.

The curriculum I use in class (at the college) is well supported by this book. The following is a list of key elements I cover in my PHP/MySQL class (and is well supported by this book):

PHP Introduction - Server Environment (usernames/passwords) Server Side Includes, Redirects, Date Functions (1 week) Intermingling HTML and PHP, Variables, Form Processing, and E-mail Handling (1 week) Introduction to SQL and MySQL - working with tables and data (in and out) (3 weeks) Web-Based Registration Systems - forms to register, send data, get data, relational databases, etc. (2 weeks) PHP Fundamentals - More of Variables, Functions, Arrays, etc. (3 weeks) PHP File Management (1 week) PHP Searching and Sorting (1 week) PHP Security and .htaccess Security (1 week)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for those who hate to read 3" thick books, June 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Programmer's Introduction to PHP 4.0 (Paperback)

This is actually the only PHP book that I can finish reading. Those thick books from Sam's and Wrox are just too much for me. (They don't lay on my lap nicely while I'm typing either) Great book for programmers who don't want hello world examples, but real-world working examples. I enjoyed it from the beginning till the end, even for the first half intoducing the core syntax. The array and database sections even serve as a handy reference I look up everyday (filled with useful examples). Topics regarding ODBC, XML, COM, Templates & Javascript are good to introduce the topics, but not too long to bore you. I highly recommend this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great place to learn core syntax, June 19, 2001

By 

Jonathan F. Waggoner "hipifreq" (Pacific Northwest, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Programmer's Introduction to PHP 4.0 (Paperback)

This book starts with the understanding that you know how to write programs. It gets right into the particulars, without bogging you down in the details of what conditionals or objects are. There are a few holes though, so I would suggest getting a more detailed book like the "PHP 4 Bible", by Tim Converse and Joyce Park from IDG Books, as a supplemental reference.