If you're ready to create web pages more complex than those you can build with HTML and CSS, Head First PHP & MySQL is the ultimate learning guide to building dynamic, database-driven websites using PHP and MySQL. Packed with real-world examples, this book teaches you all the essentials of server-side programming, from the fundamentals of PHP and MySQL coding to advanced topics such as form validation, session IDs, cookies, database queries and joins, file I/O operations, content management, and more.
Head First PHP & MySQL offers the same visually rich format that's turned every title in the Head First series into a bestseller, with plenty of exercises, quizzes, puzzles, and other interactive features to help you retain what you've learned.
Use PHP to transform static HTML pages into dynamic web sites
Create and populate your own MySQL database tables, and work with data stored in files
Perform sophisticated MySQL queries with joins, and refine your results with LIMIT and ORDER BY
Use cookies and sessions to track visitors' login information and personalize the site for users
Protect your data from SQL injection attacks
Use regular expressions to validate information on forms
Dynamically display text based on session info and create images on the fly
Pull syndicated data from other sites using PHP and XML
Throughout the book, you'll build sophisticated examples -- including a mailing list, a job board, and an online dating site -- to help you learn how to harness the power of PHP and MySQL in a variety of contexts. If you're ready to build a truly dynamic website, Head First PHP & MySQL is the ideal way to get going.
Great BookFebruary 24, 2010 Matthew J. Peters I'm just over half way through this book and I'm loving the way that it teaches you!
Maybe I'm spoiledFebruary 24, 2010 Jason Semko(Los Angeles) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
PHP is a difficult subject matter. These guys do a pretty good job of helping you understand and get the concept. Good beginner book. However, there are some problems. As stated in some of the other negative reviews, there is a lot of ambiguous text throughout the book where 'solutions' are given but no instruction is given on what to do. Occasionally there are parts where you are told "Now start coding!" with a few things left out. For example: In Chapter 9 you are told to create your first function out of already existing code. However, at some points of the lesson there is no instruction given on how to apply the 'return' statements of that function. Sure, if you're very focused you can figure it out, but when you put full trust into this book, you're constantly asking yourself "Am I supposed to do this? Is this part of the lesson? Will I turn the page and will it say 'Hey the page didn't work right? Here's why!'"
The learning format is a bit disorganized because the book is supposed to be 'rebellious' and 'fun' to read. But the constant placement of 'help comments' all over the page keeps your eyes bouncing on every page.
I've reported a few errors and for all those who do choose to buy this book...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, ENABLE PHP ERRORS so you can catch theirs! (Not a lot, but hair-pulling errors)
Bottom Line: You WILL learn PHP
Bottom Bottom Line: You will at times STRESS learning PHP because of the book.
Fills in a lot of Web Development GapsFebruary 15, 2010 Y. Maman This is another well presented book in the Head First series. Their visual and pinch of redundancy teaching methodology makes one learn important concepts without ever feeling overwhelmed. The examples they chose to illustrate the concepts are engaging and never gimmicky.
I found this book great at not just teaching me the PHP language and MySQL mechanics, but substantially stepping out into web development 101 concepts like Cookies and Sessions, GETs and POSTs, etc. so that the context of use (which is web development) is illuminated by these tools.
Not Using This BookDecember 25, 2009 JPL 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Bought another book,PHP6 and MYSQL 5, and the Head First book at the same time. PHP6 and MYSQL 5 is great--can't recommend the Head First book at all. Programming is a linear activity and needs to be taught in a linear way, so that you can easily understand what you need to do and how you can do it. The Head First book buries the material you need in a maze of pictures and exercises. The information you need may be in there, but it's just too hard to find it.
No complaints...November 9, 2009 Heather Leonforte(Keller, TX) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book was exactly what I ordered, excellent condition, and great delivery time! While I have not read the entire book year, it is exactly what I need to get started with PHP. I knew nothing about PHP before receiving this book, and I am now well on my way to becoming a PHP programmer! This is a great book for beginners, and is an excellent shelf item for reference for those who already know what they are doing.
