PHP & MySQL For Dummies 3rd edition (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (Paperback)

by Janet Valade (Author)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Build an online catalog and a members-only site

Everything you need to know to create a dynamic PHP and MySQL Web site!

Been thinking of creating a high-quality interactive Web site? This book is just what you need to get started! Here's the fun and easy way(r) to develop a Web application in PHP 4, 5, or 6 and MySQL 5, test your software, enable your Web pages to display, change, and move database information, and much more.

Discover how to
* Plan and implement a Web database application
* Design and build a MySQL 5 database
* Build dynamic HTML forms
* Create scripts that store, retrieve, and update database information
* Display database information in a Web page

From the Back Cover
Build an online catalog and a members-only site

Everything you need to know to create a dynamic PHP and MySQL Web site!

Been thinking of creating a high-quality interactive Web site? This book is just what you need to get started! Here's the fun and easy way® to develop a Web application in PHP 4, 5, or 6 and MySQL 5, test your software, enable your Web pages to display, change, and move database information, and much more.

Discover how to

• Plan and implement a Web database application
• Design and build a MySQL 5 database
• Build dynamic HTML forms
• Create scripts that store, retrieve, and update database information
• Display database information in a Web page

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 3 edition (November 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470096004
• ISBN-13: 978-0470096000
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,323 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

  #11 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Web Development > Programming > PHP
  #12 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Introductory & Beginning > For Dummies - Programming
  #14 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Databases > Specific Databases > MySQL & mSQL

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Would recommend, July 5, 2007

By	Shirley Evans (TX) - See all my reviews

I just finished PHP and MySQL for Dummies last night. I took C++ about 7 years ago in highschool and I think that helped with following the PHP part. Here are the pros and cons I found.
Cons
1.Not enough info on PHP and Mysql setup. One of the reasons I picked up this book was for help in getting everything configured. I had tried numerous how-tos on the web that weren't working, this did not offer much help either, although you can email the author for additional support. Solution: save the headache and download WAMP5, everything is configured for u with php, mysql, and apache server.
2. I found it annoying that the author would throw in lots of functions that were not included in the chapter into her example programs. Sure, they're there (some of them) in the last chapter, but they are not referenced so some of the examples are hard to proof unless you change them or read ahead.
3. Read the chapter "PHP Gotchas" at the beginning of the php chapters intead of at the end. If you follow along in order you will already know everything in that chapter, with much frustration, by the time u get there.
Pros:
I now know how to design a fully functional web program and have already figured out in my head how to do 2 others, plus modifications to the sample programs.
This is not the last PHP/MySQL book you will buy but it's good to get your feet wet.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Monkey see, monkey lost, February 21, 2008

By	M. Eve "mike_in_seattle" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've read many Dummies books, and like the "Monkey read, Monkey see, Monkey do" approach. This monkey learns better when all the steps are clearly shown and executed in the text. Unfortunately, this book is more like "Monkey read, Monkey lost". For example, Chapter 4, "Building a Database". The author describes 2 sample databases then discusses the various operations (queries) that can be performed on the databases without detailed, step by step instructions along the way. With some trial and error, the steps can be deduced, but this can be very frustrating and may not always work.

p.s.: Janet Valade has written several beginner books on PHP/MySQL. Maybe, eventually, she will get it right. She is so close...

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good beginner book -- useful for reference -- quickly digested, January 9, 2007

By	L. Marquez - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very practical material that can also be used for reference while working on projects.

I found that the mateials are consummed very quickly and the developer may have to research further deeper into some areas.

Beware of differences in function names and uses in different PHP versions. (v. 4 vs. v. 5), which is described by the author.

Hope it helps.