Best PHP & MySQL

[Stellar]

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Hi,

Do anyone have any suggestions on the best PHP & MySQL book for a beginner? There are a few out there and I am just trying to decide.

It needs to be a beginners guide, but one that goes into a fair bit of depth. I don't think PHP & MySQL for Dummies cuts it as it does not teach you how to programme forums & shopping carts, which I would like to learn how to do.

I did see a book in Borders that covers that, but I can't remember what it is called.

Any advice is appreciated!

[eskimo]

PHP and Mysql Web Development by Welling and Thomson is a pretty good starting point. Once you've got a basic understanding, it's probably best to look at online tutorials that address the specific tasks you are trying to achieve.

[Stellar]

PHP and Mysql Web Development by Welling and Thomson is a pretty good starting point. Once you've got a basic understanding, it's probably best to look at online tutorials that address the specific tasks you are trying to achieve.

Thanks for the reply. It does have some excellent reviews in Amazon. The only thing is, this book covers PHP 5 and my hosting company (Clook) only has PHP 4. Do you think that will be a problem? Is PHP 5 totally different to PHP 4, or is it just a matter of missing out on some of the features of PHP 5?

[phildarv]

you can try php5 on clook though. see this thread on clook forum:

http://www.clook.info/forum/showthre...highlight=php5

[Stellar]

Please note that this installation of PHP version 5 is meant as a testing environment and we do not recommend using it in for a live/production website. If you do this you do so at your own risk and should you require support involving the site we will insist that it is reverted back to PHP4 before providing this.

This bit doesn't fill me with confidence though!

Maybe I should just learn PHP4 for now?

[talentguy]

I'm thoroughly recommend "Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using PHP & MySQL" by Kevin Yank.

I bought it and expected it to be very basic. Although it was basic, it built up to very complex scenarios, such as designing a web cart and programming information using cookies, etc.

Definitely worth a look! Plus you can download the basic first 4 chapters for free.

Hope that helps.

Gary

[Itchy]

It needs to be a beginners guide, but one that goes into a fair bit of depth. I don't think PHP & MySQL for Dummies cuts it as it does not teach you how to programme forums & shopping carts, which I would like to learn how to do.

Learn to stand up and walk before you run

Dummies should be fine for you, you need to know the basics of php once youve grasped that then theres plenty of free online tutorials thatll help you to learn to run

[Stellar]

Dummies should be fine for you, you need to know the basics of php once youve grasped that then theres plenty of free online tutorials thatll help you to learn to run

True true. I do like to get ahead of myself sometimes!

In regards to PHP4 vs PHP 5.. as discussed earlier, Clook is testing PHP5 but does not support it.. if I get a book on PHP5 will I run into trouble? Or do you think I should just get a PHP4 book and go from there?

[Donk]

The main differences between PHP4 and PHP5 are:

MySql is no longer bundled in PHP5 and has been replaced by MySqlite, however MySql should be available on PHP5 servers for a while until it is eventually phased out.

PHP5 has much better handling of XML files although the old PHP4 functions are still included in PHP5

PHP5 has IPv6 support for the new IP address system which will eventually replace the present IP4 (eg 128.10.10.10) system.

PHP5 has better support for OOP( object orientated programing)- Classes methods and objects etc.

For a quick tutorial on PHP4 try here or W3schools

Bob

[Stellar]

Thanks Bob, that helps.

I have taken Gary's recommendation and ordered "Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using PHP & MySQL" by Kevin Yank.

Now let the fun begin!

Thanks all for your help

[Adam_C]

Good call. I bought the Kevin Yank book and started working my way through it a year or 2 ago.

Whilst I got distracted before getting through it all, I got enough out of it for my needs, and can always go back in if need be.

[monty]

The SAMS teach yourself range is very good.
Particularly if it's covering open-source things such as PHP MySQL Apache etc. [Where it is covering official comercial software the comments are sometimes more restrained when it comes to oddities!]

That said the teach yourslef "PHP, MySQL and Apache" book doesnt' go into much detail at all, the ones that just look at PHP/Mysql are better.

But you can get most things online these days for free. There are sites and sites, with tutorial after tutorial.
Also the official php documentation at www.php.net is excellent.
The official mysql documentation is also reasonably good.

[dmc]

The Wrox books are outstanding for PHP (begining PHP and PHP web development - in fact these are the only two books I've every used for PHP development)

DC

[jasonflk]

The trouble is everyone has their favourite, mine is Sitepoints "Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using PHP & MySQL" by Kevin Yank. as previously mentioned.
It had an easy guide in setting PHP and MYSQL on the PC which I needed before I could get started.

However the best way for me to decide is (dare I say it) go into a bookshop and flick through a few pages to see if it covers whatI'm looking for and if I like the writting style. Then If I can resist the temptation in buying then, dosen't often work, I buy online.