PHP and MySQL for Dummies with CDROM (Paperback)

by Janet Valade (Author) "So you need to develop an interactive Web site..." (more)
Key Phrases: newest stable release, big text file, new member account, Hello World, Web Database Application Using, Microsoft Internet Explorer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This is an introductory level book that provides the essential information needed to enable users to build common Web database applications.
The book is directed toward users who know HTML and have created static Web pages, but no prior experience with programming or database design or use is required.
PHP and MySQL For Dummies contains all the information necessary to create a simple Web database or fully functional E-commerce Web site.
ABOUT THE CD-ROM
Includes a CD-ROM with PHP, MySQL, and Apache software, sample Web applications from the book, code samples, and other useful utilities.

From the Back Cover
The fun and easy way™ to create a Web database application!

Get the scoop on building online catalogs and members-only sites

Take your site to the next level – no programming or database experience required

With a MySQL database and a little PHP programming, you can add a whole new level of interactivity to your site – for free. But how do you get a fix on the world of Web database applications? Don’t worry! With this friendly reference (and the free software on the CD-ROM), you’ll be building a MySQL database and writing PHP programs in no time.

All this on the bonus CD-Rom

• PHP server-side scripting language
• MySQL relational database management system
• Apache Web server
• Sample applications and code from the book

System Requirements: A Pentium PC or faster; Windows 9x/2000/Me/XP, Windows NT 4 or later; Linux. At least 32 MB of total RAM; a CD-ROM drive.

See CD appendix for details and complete system requirements.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; Bk&CD-Rom edition (June 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764516507
• ISBN-13: 978-0764516504
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #588,187 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Useful Starting Place for PHP & MySQL, June 7, 2005

By	Daniel Graf "Daniel Graf" (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: PHP and MySQL for Dummies, Second Edition (Paperback)

I found PHP & MySQL for DUMMIES by Janet Valade to be an extremely useful starting place for practicing those tools, and if your circumstances and needs are similar to mine, then you may find it helpful as well. I have a database that I want to serve on the web. I have some experience with relatively simple programming, including C, but I am not a programmer per se. At my work, I have access to a web-server running both MySQL and PHP and an administrator to make sure that they are working. I am also someone who likes to do things themselves so that the result matches precisely what is in my head. All that this dummy needed was an introductory lesson on the syntax and structure of these two "languages" and Valade provided it.

MySQL & PHP for DUMMIES uses the example of setting up an online catalog for a pet store, demonstrating how to build a multi-table database in MySQL that employs the various necessary components, e.g. user login, querying and formatting the output. The computer operations covered are simple enough to just read on the train (i.e., I didn't need to be seated at my computer running the exercises to understand them) and provide a good primer for the kinds of that I could do... that YOU could do too.

Having praised the book for what it is, I want to make clear what it is not. The index is almost useless and the functions of both MySQL and PHP are covered in only the most superficial way, so this For DUMMIES book is a poor reference for projects beyond the advanced beginner; it does not necessarily replace more comprehensive texts. For my own rudimentary dabblings in web databases, I now rely more upon the PHP and MySQL code I have already written based on what this book taught me than the book itself. But, MySQL and PHP for DUMMIES provided the framework for me to take the first baby steps towards a really flexible web-based database.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for beginners, March 26, 2003

By	R. Fong "rjf333" (Wellington New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great book for someone learning to use PHP and MySQL. It assumes the reader already knows basic HTML. The book is easy to read and understand. The topics it covers gives the reader a good grounding of the basics, enough to create a reasonably sophisticated web application. The stuff it leaves out is not essential to know, and can be left for when the reader steps up to more complicated applications.

Information is well organised and easy to navigate. The two web application examples towards the back of the book are also excellent to learn from. They're very good at demonstrating techniques described in earlier chapters.

One potential difficulty someone might have is with the explanation of relational database design. Someone without any past knowledge of relational databases might find the book's explanation a bit light. Designing relational databases isn't terribly complicated, but has its tricky bits.

Another thing I liked about this book is how it helped me set up the appropriate software on my computer so it all worked cleanly together.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners, November 2, 2002

By	Matthew Maroon (Fairlawn, OH United States) - See all my reviews

When I bought this book I was looking to create dynamic web pages, and had begun using Perl/CGI. I happened to come across the PHP manual on the net, and was amazed. I did not know much about PHP, and had never used mySQL so I wanted an entry-level book, and was lucky enough to purchase this one.
The authors did a wonderful job introducing me to both PHP and mySQL. The book takes you through building a members only site, and an e-commerce site. Unlike many books I have read all code is well commented, and uses only topics already introduced and explained, so it is never hard to follow.
I recommend reading the PHP chapter before the mySQL chapter, even though it comes after, then going back to the database chapter. Anyway you read it though it is a perfect starting point for learning the two. After reading this you will probably want to read a more advanced book on PHP, and maybe one on mySQL, as many of he less common features of both are left out. But thanks to this book you will feel after 1 week like you could build your own amazon.com.