beginner php books

[Anon]

Does anyone know of a good book that would get me started out with php? I need one that will take me from beginner to intermediate/advanced level, not just one that will get me started out. I've heard some good things about the php 4 bible. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[blue928]

While php 4 bible is a decent book, I prefer a book published by WROX. It's called "PROFESSIONAL PHP PROGRAMMING". Its a big read book with the pictures of the authors on the front. This is the book I started out with knowing absolutely nothing and now am proficient enough at php to do some pretty "intermediate/advanced" things. On a side note, its best to have a few books on hand that focus on the same subject. While this is a great book, I would recommend having this, php 4 bible, as well as developers library of some sort. New Rides puts out an excellent book on this topic (although, you can find everything you need at php.net). Content will overlap yes, but explanation in one book may be more easily understood. At the same time you will have information in one book that the other left off. But, if you are going to pick just one, then Professional php programming by wrox is great.

blue

[gushy]

Books? You don't need books. You need the manual, phpbuilder.com and devshed.com and that's it!!!

You'll find a few good tutorials on WebMonkey(hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey) as well.

I wouldn't waste your money. I't might be useful to buy a book once you've learnt a bit, but I've found that I can get everything I need off the web.

O'Reilly's PHP Pocket Reference is quite handy, and cheap. New Rider's Web Application Development, is not aimed at the beginner so don't consider it. Even if you weren't a beginner don't bother, it sucks.

Use the web, the manual and this forum. Problem solved.

-- Nick