PHP/MySQL

Lethal`

Lethal`

Lethal`

Soldato
Joined
25 Oct 2006
Posts
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I have some basic knowledge of PHP and have used it a little bit, but I don't fully understand it as I have learnt my current knowledge from various sites who all write in different styles etc.

I am looking for a book which covers both PHP and MySQL with real examples (e.g. a dynamic site such as a basic e-commerce website) with good explanations. Any recommendations?

I noticed this book, which looks quite good. Any opinions?
PHP 6 and MySQL 5 for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide (Visual QuickPro Guides) by Larry Ullman

Thanks in advance...
 
Wouldn't pay for a book personally (at least not initially). You can learn loads and defo cover most of the basics by going through online tutorials, or even seeing how something like wordpress works.
 
suarve said:
Wouldn't pay for a book personally (at least not initially). You can learn loads and defo cover most of the basics by going through online tutorials, or even seeing how something like wordpress works.
Click to expand...

Lethal` said:
...but I don't fully understand it as I have learnt my current knowledge from various sites who all write in different styles etc.
Click to expand...

That's why I would like a book ;)
 
Does it need to be a physical book?

You can buy a pdf of the sitepoint book for $30 which is around £20.
 
The sitepoint stuff is good, look at some of their tutorials and hang around on the php/php application design threads (the latter will help getting you into good habits from the off).

Also, look into some of the frameworks out there as these can give you a pre-defined rigid structure for your code - one less thing to worry about (they also typically have an extensive API which will prevent you from re-inventing the wheel).
 
Ah, yes. That looks like a later version of the Welling and Thomson one. Totally agree with philjohn on the frameworks point. I wish I'd learnt to do everything the OOP/MVC way from the start, but you live and learn.
 
Just got through some of the sitepoint stuff myself...

I just have to say i also recommend the sitepoint stuff, the method for teaching in their guides (for me) have been second to none so far. The methods they apply seem accurate and well thought out, and also properly explained so you're not applying code without understanding what it is you're doing.

I have a PDF as i tend to do my reading/learning at the PC.

Can only compare the sitepoint to what i've looked at which is firstly a book bought a while back 'Php and mysql for Dummies' ... rubbish, waste of money, and then all the guides i've looked at around the web which have been so varied and applying in different ways, and most i found lacking any proper explaination of what they were doing, OR if explained i think they assumed a certain level of understanding already, which is fine, just it's nice when an explaination is broken down.....
 
The best thing about Kevin Yank's books, and those of some other sitepoint authors, is that he can somehow interject humour into what are really, really dull subjects. This is a real knack and makes learning far less laborious.

I had a university lecturer, older guy, who was the same. He taught us predicate logic, as he had done for twenty years or so, and was so full of spright and enthusiasm that his lectures were probably my favourite, despite the fact that predicate logic is an excruciatingly boring subject. Guy was a legend.
 
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Also it doesn't help very much that the reviews posted are mainly from previous editions of each book and therefore written before the book's release...
 
There's really no need to have a book. Keep learning about how things work like you are and you'll form your own style. People are different, and as long as you adhere to conventions (whether you set them yourself, or work to others' (eg. PEAR)), you'll improve. The suggestion to pull apart some pre-written software is a good one, and Wordpress is an example of a decent, easy to understand piece of software that is a good place to start.

Failing that, you can't go wrong with the Zend study guide. I found it a helpful introduction to things like design patterns and exception handling.
 
Lethal` said:
PHP 6 and MySQL 5 for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide (Visual QuickPro Guides) by Larry Ullman
Click to expand...

Thats the book I bought, I'm following it at the moment and it's pretty good. It actually has 2 whole chapters on SQL where it completely leaves PHP behind to disuss SQL on its own which is good. It doesn't go into the more advanced OO concepts and design patters supported by PHP 5 but you'll be ready for a book like that after this one.
 
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