Beginning PHP and MySQL: From Novice to Professional, Third Edition (Beginning from Novice to Professional)

Beginning PHP and MySQL: From Novice to Professional, Third Edition offers a comprehensive introduction to two of the most prominent open source technologies on the planet: the PHP scripting language and the MySQL database server. Updated to introduce the features found in MySQLs most significant release to date, readers learn how to take advantage of the latest features of both technologies to build powerful, manageable, and stable web applications.

Essentially three books in one, readers not only profit from extensive introductions to the core features of each technology, but also learn how to effectively integrate the two in order to build robust data-driven applications. Packed with practical examples and insight into the real-world challenges faced by developers based on author W. Jason Gilmore's 7 years of expertise working with these technologies, readers will repeatedly return to this book as both a valuable instructional tool and reference guide.

What you'll learn The PHP language How to back your web site with MySQL Templating so that you can apply a consistent design across all pages on your site How to authenticate your web site users How to use cookies to maintain information (such as items in a shopping cart) while a user is browsing your site Who is this book for?

This book is written for developers seeking to take advantage of the PHP language and MySQL database to create powerful web applications.

About the Apress Beginning Series

The Beginning series from Apress is the right choice to get the information you need to land that crucial entry-level job. These books will teach you a standard and important technology from the ground up because they are explicitly designed to take you from `novice to professional.` Youll start your journey by seeing what you need to knowbut without needless theory and filler. Youll build your skill set by learning how to put together real-world projects step by step. So whether your goal is your next career challenge or a new learning opportunity, the Beginning series from Apress will take you thereit is your trusted guide through unfamiliar territory!

User review
Excellent book
This is an excellent book for learning how PHP works and how you can use it. I used it for assistance with creating my first PHP script. All of the information was very clear and straight-forward, as well as being easy to follow. I highly recommend that anyone that is interested in using PHP and building PHP driven web sites purchase and read this book, because it will be very useful. This is a very well written book and is an excellent resource.

User review
Where to go when you want to know
I needed to learn PHP and MySQL quickly. It is hard to know which book and which author. So why did I pick this book? And why do I recommend it?

The structure outlined in the book's table of contents, a quick look at Jason's website (chock full of useful information) and the fact that this is an Apress book quickly cemented my confidence. I received the book earlier than expected.

I literally devoured the 1st 18 chapters in an afternoon following the installation of a MAMP environment. I believe that this is a testimony to the clarity of the writing, the structure, and the examples. I typed most of my own and only downloaded the source code from Jason's site later. I highly recommend registering on the [,,.] site.

I had registered for a PHP and MySQL course prior to purchasing the book but didn't start it until after chapter 20. This book helped me accelerate my website development and made the class super easy. I probably could have saved the course cost and just used the book.

I strongly recommend this book. Thus far I have found a consistent level of quality authors at Apress.

PS - I had no HTML or web development skills before picking up this book. I did have classical 'C' and PERL experience

User review
Highly Recommended
This was one of the first PHP/MySQL books I purchased. Since then I have purchased 4 or 5 others and I have to say this is one of the best. I used this book along with the PHP Architect Zend study guide to pass the Zend PHP5 Engineer test. I've noticed a lot of technology books suffer from too little editing but I don't recall seeing any errors in this one,,.

User review
Great for beginners
I was looking for book to learn PHP and I came to amazon for this. This wasn't the first book that came up but it was the one that looked like it would be easiest to learn from. This book worked great for teaching myself PHP and I would highly recommend buying it.

User review
Bloated and wordy
I'm a sucker for a good price and I bought this book hoping that in the 1000+ pages I could start to learn PHP. I did - but I also quickly got frustrated and distracted by the author's complete refusal to explain ANYTHING with conciseness.

This is a reference book, not something you'd want to read cover to cover.

Boring examples, wordy discussions - the authors seems to have been more interested in boosting page count than anything else :(

Another bloated PHP book was Larry Ullman's Visual QuickPro. Are there any php tech authors who know how to write??