PHP and MySQL are popular open-source technologies that are ideal for quickly developing database-driven Web applications. PHP is a powerful scripting language designed to enable developers to create highly featured Web applications quickly, and MySQL is a fast, reliable database that integrates well with PHP and is suited for dynamic Internet-based applications.
PHP and MySQL Web Development shows how to use these tools together to produce effective, interactive Web applications. It clearly describes the basics of the PHP language, explains how to set up and work with a MySQL database, and then shows how to use PHP to interact with the database and the server.
This practical, hands-on book includes numerous examples that demonstrate common tasks such as authenticating users, constructing a shopping cart, generating PDF documents and images dynamically, sending and managing email, facilitating user discussions, connecting to Web services using XML, and developing Web 2.0 applications with Ajax-based interactivity.
The fourth edition of PHP and MySQL Web Development has been thoroughly updated, revised, and expanded to cover developments in PHP 5 through version 5.3, such as namespaces and closures, as well as features introduced in MySQL 5.1.
The PHP server-side scripting language and the MySQL database management system (DBMS) make a potent pair. Both are open-source products--free of charge for most purposes--remarkably strong, and capable of handling all but the most enormous transaction loads. Both are supported by large, skilled, and enthusiastic communities of architects, programmers, and designers. PHP and MySQL Web Development introduces readers (who are assumed to have little or no experience with the title subjects) to PHP and MySQL for the purpose of creating dynamic Internet sites. It teaches the same skills as introductory Active Server Pages (ASP) and ColdFusion books--technologies that address the same niche.
Authors Luke Welling and Laura Thomson's technique aims to get readers going on their own projects as soon as possible. They present easily digestible sections on specific technical processes--"Accessing array contents" and "Using encryption with PHP" are two examples. Each section centers on a sample program that strips the task at hand down to its essentials, enabling the reader to fit the process into his or her own solutions as required. Tables that list options and other nuggets of reference material appear as well, but the many examples and the authors' commentary on them take center stage.
For reference material on MySQL, have a look at Paul DuBois's MySQL. On the PHP side, Web Application Development with PHP 4.0 is excellent. --David Wall
Topics covered:
The MySQL database server (for both Unix and Windows)
Accessing MySQL databases through PHP scripting (the letters don't really stand for anything)
Database creation and modification
PHP tricks in order of increasing complexity--everything from basic SQL queries to secure transactions for commerce
Authentication
Network connectivity
Session management
Content customization
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Classic book on good programming practice:
I recently read this book and it took me a short time to get into the wave of the author. It narrates in a natural way an ample range of details that were easy to catch. As a security practitioner I find this book very clear, so it took me through the basics of PHP and MySQL, and finally it took me to very strong fundamentals to develop rich programming applications with security in mind, from the beginning. Of course, this book is read better with very good programming skills, so you can focus more on... more info
Excellent - long time arrival:
Amazingly I've been waiting for the 4th Edition since 07/2007 - then 11/2007 then summer 2008 finally it arrived fall 2008! When it arrived I bought it quickly. A great book that perhaps is a bit advanced for beginners - be careful if you are just starting out with MySQL and PHP - this book may not be quite for you.
Great book!:
I bought the 4th Edition, and it was exactly what I expected for a PHP & Mysql book. It comes separated in 5 parts: PHP course, Mysql course, E-Commerce & Security, Advanced Techniques, Building Practical Projetcs. The First two parts are a simple "crash course" for each technology. So you can step in the next chapters with the base. What I liked most is that it comes with very practical examples, and also the source code comes in the CD. This way you do not need to type everything. Also... more info
PROMISED HARDCOVER; GOT PAPERBACK...!:
The book is excellent, but the only problem is that when I ordered, the description read "Hardcover," but I got "Paperback" instead . . . disappointing. . . .
