Here's what Web designers need to know to create dynamic, database-driven Web sites To be on the cutting edge, Web sites need to serve up HTML, CSS, and products specific to the needs of different customers using different browsers. An effective e-commerce site gathers information about users and provides information they need to get the desired result. PHP scripting language with a MySQL back-end database offers an effective way to design sites that meet these requirements. This full updated 4th Edition of PHP & MySQL For Dummies gets you quickly up to speed, even if your experience is limited. PHP & MySQL For Dummies, 4th Edition provides what you need to know to create sites that get results. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
ok, I admit that I have not read this cover to cover. I had bought this as a reference for looking up the stuff that i don't use often enough to retain the information in the hard drive that i laughingly call a brain. This book is very informative, and like most Dummies books, very easy to understand. Not much of a plot but still a great book!
This is the great book for the beginners. Written in plain English, you will never get lost. No technical mumbo jumbo like ($arr=explode('/',$permalink);$len=count($arr);$source=$arr[$len-1:].'.jpg'; ), just basic php and mysql syntax.
If you're looking to learn PHP and MySQL, this is a great book to start with. Valade's writing style is clear and concise, making it easy for beginners to understand. Even if you're not planning on using PHP extensively (it is a pretty passe programming language these days), the MySQL section alone is worth the read as it provides a solid foundation for anyone working with databases.
While it may not cover every single aspect of PHP and MySQL, it provides a great introduction and the information provided is well researched and laid out.
I also appreciated that the book includes step-by-step instructions for important tasks and exercises that help reinforce the concepts covered. It's a great way to get hands-on experience and apply what you've learned.
Overall, this is a solid resource for those looking to learn or refresh their skills. Highly recommended for anyone looking to get started with these technologies.
The book is written in plain English and hits on everything you need to know to get you up and running in a clear, straightforward way. Moreover, it sets out in the very beginning with an example case that you can create along with the book as you go so that, in the end, you have a fully functional web application.
An older book, it is dated now and doesn't touch on the security pitfalls of PHP but for someone looking to create an interactive hobby site in which security is unlikely to be a concern, it's spot-on. For those looking to get more immersed in web design, it still makes a great primer and jumping off point.
One of the things that's important to get right for these books is the order of operations. I felt like this book was counter-intuitive in the way it was organized, where it should've gone from the simplest concepts to the most advanced. That was not the case. I haven't really used this book as a reference either in later use, as the O'Reilly books have been superior on both counts when it comes to learning technologies.