Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8 (Paperback)

by David Powers (Author)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In this book we look specifically at using Dreamweaver’s built-in server behaviors to build dynamic web sites using PHP and MySQL, the world’s most popular open source server-side language and database server combination, which are both reliable, powerful, and open source (and therefore free to use!) This latest version of Dreamweaver includes even more powerful support for PHP and MySQL.

David Powers first takes you through the latest version of Dreamweaver, and how PHP and MySQL fit into it, then looks in-depth at setting up your work environment – installing PHP, MySQL, and the Apache web server, making sure they are all working together, and setting up a new web site via Dreamweaver. He then goes to work, using several tutorials and real world examples including topics such as PHP essentials (knowing what PHP code looks like,) working with forms, designing and implementing effective MySQL databases, debugging and troubleshooting, creating dynamic navigation, login, and search functionality

Examples built throughout the book include a content management system, and an online image gallery. All examples are designed to meet modern usability requirements and be web standards compliant. No previous experience of PHP or MySQL is necessary to use this book.

From the Author
Since my previous book on PHP in Dreamweaver MX 2004, I've spent a lot of time researching the problems people encounter getting PHP/MySQL to work with Dreamweaver. The result is a book that I'm convinced will have you up and running quickly and painlessly. Dreamweaver 8 takes a lot of the hard work out of integrating a database into your websites, but it can’t do everything. So instead of just giving you a series of instructions to click this and click that, I help you understand what’s going on in the background. If you understand why you’re doing something, you’re more likely to remember it, and to get it right.

I’ve based the book round a case study that puts all of Dreamweaver’s PHP server behaviors through their paces, and uses techniques that can be applied to a wide range of sites, whether you’re designing for yourself or on behalf of clients. I also equip you with sufficient knowledge of basic PHP to have the confidence to dive into the code generated by Dreamweaver and tweak it to your own requirements. The emphasis is exclusively on PHP, so you don’t waste any time on information that’s not relevant to what you’re doing.

The final chapter takes an in-depth look at the exciting new addition to Dreamweaver 8’s server behaviors, XSL Transformation, which makes light work of incorporating a live news feed and other XML documents into your websites. I’ve had fun writing it. I hope you have fun using it.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 530 pages
• Publisher: friends of ED; 1 edition (December 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590595696
• ISBN-13: 978-1590595695
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,838 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

  #36 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Graphic Design > Web Design > Dreamweaver
  #48 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Web Development > Programming > PHP
  #82 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Databases > Database Design

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, this book is good..., January 10, 2006

By	Frank Stepanski (PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I already had a basic understanding of Dreamweaver in creating some basic web pages, but I had a hard time finding a good PHP book. This book shows you how to combine the cool new features of Macromedia Dreamweaver 8 and the scripting power of PHP. I had done some scripting before with ASP but not with PHP. This book takes you from the beginning in setting up the work environment of a web server (APACHE or IIS) and database (MYSQL), to explaining web design concepts and then integrating it all together in some useful and "real-world" projects. It also explains the differences in setup of MAC and Windows OS. I've never found a book that puts it all together like this one. A must buy!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece., August 2, 2006

By	JM - See all my reviews

David Powers has written a masterpiece in "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8."

This book is incredibly well conceived, well written, well edited, and well supported. The material is presented concisely yet completely and accurately. The detailed chapters on installation and configuration of Apache, PHP, and MySQL for both Windows and Macintosh are works of art in and of themselves, walking the reader through the complex process step by step, giving very clear instructions, explaining the reasons for the recommended configuration choices, and anticipating everything that might go wrong along the way.

Powers's writing style is formal and precise without being stuffy. His explanations and instructions are clear and complete without wasted words. (He is a former journalist.) Because Powers does not fill his book with needless repetitions, oversized figures, or other fluff, the book is thankfully thinner than other PHP/Dreamweaver books that cover the same (or less) material. The book's font and formating are easy on the eye, and intelligent use of bold text nearly (but not completely) makes up for the one-color printing. The figures are clear and accurate, and the examples are illustrative, easy to follow, and nicely supported by the downloadable companion files.

While most advanced computer books with lots of raw code have many typographic and technical errors, "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8" has very few. Most of the few errata are related to changes in versions of PHP, Dreamweaver, or MySQL that were released subsequent to the book's printing -- and the author catches those changes and posts comprehensive updates to his website very quickly and very frequently. As this is my first book from the "Friends of ED" publisher, I do not know whether the author or the editor is to thank for the small number of errors, but it is a very refreshing change to read a technical book that is as clean as this one.

The author takes an active role in the publisher's support forum, answering readers' questions and offering suggestions and tips. When Adobe released an update to Dreamweaver that broke several server behaviors, Powers quickly posted several explanations on his website and even updated the book's companion files to make them compatible with the new Dreamweaver behaviors. David Powers clearly knows the material; his name is well known in Dreamweaver development circles, where he is widely regarded as a leading expert.

I recommend this book whole-heartedly. Many computer books are not worth the cost of the paper they are printed on, but "Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8" is one book that is well worth its retail price -- and more. David Powers and his publisher should be congratulated for such a fine piece of work.

Buy it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for beginners, July 20, 2006

By	Lewis Burdett (Las Vegas, Nevada United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For years, I have wanted to learn PHP and MySQL. There were a lot of books out there, but I felt none of them were good for beginners. As someone who was ignorant to designing dynamic websites, I did not know where to begin. When I heard that Friends of ED published a book on PHP for Dreamweaver, I did not hesitate to buy it. The book starts off by explaining how to downlaoad and install the Apache server and how everything ties in with PHP. Throughtout the book, you apply what you learn by designing a "real-world" dynamic web site. There were a few times that I came across some glitches. Fortunately, friendsofed.com has a forum where you can post questions. The author, Dave Powers, was usually quick in responding. The book does not really emphasize hand coding, but mainly how to incorporate the code using the features in Dreamweaver 8. If you want to learn more about hand coding, I would recommend another book by the author: Foundation PHP 5 for Flash. That is also another great book. All in all, Foundation PHP for Dreamweaver 8 is ideal in introducing the novice in explaining how to build dynamic websites.