Beginning PHP and MySQL: Novice to Professional, 3rd edition
I reviewed the prior version of this text and rated it as highly recommended and this updated third version continues with the same quality content and highly usable writing style. Starting with minimal assumptions about the readers's knowledge, the book walks them carefully through the details of both PHP and MySQL from installation (Windows and Linux) to doing the most common tasks. Included among the new content is coverage of PHP6.
One of the things that I like about this particular text is the thoroughness with which it moves the reader from complete novice to an intermediate level. While it is fair enough to consider someone who knows this stuff to be a professional there are more advanced techniques available in other more specialized texts. As with prior editions the author has included a lot of sample code so you can follow along and test your knowledge as you go.
In addition to using the book to learn PHP and MySQL it continues as a valuable reference tool. The manner in which it is laid out allows the reader to quickly turn to an appropriate chapter when they are stuck on a problem and find the answers they need. While not for the advanced user, and it does not claim to be, with coverage of things like authentication, networking, LDAP, PEAR, and frameworks like Zend, this is one of the most complete texts on PHP and MySQL you will find for the person new or just minimally knowledgeable about PHP and MySQL and is highly recommended for that audience.
Author: W. Jason Gilmore
Publisher: Apress
2560 Ninth Street, Suite 219
Berkeley, CA 94710
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 9781590598627
Pages: 955 plus index
Price: $46.99