What is a good php book?

Nirvana

Hey I need a good beginners book on PHP plus it must be easy to understand. I can't have a bunch of hugh words or I get confused.

iBuddy

I have 2....
Beginning PHP 4
isbn 1-861003-73-0

also a great book that others have liked is
php and mysql web development its about a 800 page book GREAT references tho

Nirvana

896 pages actually :p

adrian_quah

Hello ... Aside from getting a good PHP book, do get the PHP manual, esp the CHM or Extended CHM version. it's downloadable from http://www.php.net/download-docs.php

Good luck!

BeastRider

There aren't any good php books out there. The basic books mostly mimic the php.net manual, and the so called "advanced" books really have questionable techniques.

The three best ways to learn php:

Follow this board and see how various problems are solved... often in more than one way.

Check out a couple of code boards. Review the source to see how a task was accomplished.

Decide to write an app with a specific function... simple to start... then test and play until you get a sense of the language.

rpanning

I also have 2;

PHP Bible 2nd Ed.
ISBN: 0-7645-4955-3

and again....
PHP and MySQL Web Development 2nd Ed.
ISBN: 0-672-32525-X

I started off with PHP Bible for the "basics" then went to PHP and MySQL to learn database interaction. Worked great for me. BeastRider is also right. Start off writing a few scripts and watch this forum. You'll learn a lot here.

phpprogrammer

Dear Friend,

go for beginningphp4 or phpblackbook

regards
bvsureshbabu

Nirvana

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/textbooks/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=367JKSO8OT&isbn=0201727870&TXT=Y&itm=8

My friend is a pretty good PHP programer and that is what he used so I am going to get it in a bit

rob

Get Kevin Yank's "Build your own database driven website using php & myself"

It has very useful examples -- its a great book. It starts from the very beginning showing you how to install mysql, php, etc...Get it.

Davidc316

I'm checking out Amazon and it turns out there IS a PHP for Dummies.

And guess what???

It looks pretty good!

Although it doesn't cover online shops, it does appear to have a logical structure and unlike other books that seem to just bombard you with info then dump you in a sea of confusion, this book seems to take the reader to a pretty good level.

I might get it!

PS- I've researched every single other book recommended on this thread, but so far they seem to be getting mixed reviews.

Cerebral_Cow

I have PHP Quickstart guide and it's a great book for beginners. Lots of little examples to learn from in there.

I just bought "PHP and MySQL Web Development" at Barnes & Nobles last night and then came in here to see it was already one of the recommended books in this thread.
This book has lots of examples to use in your websites. What's really great about this book is the first chapter gives a quick review of the basics, so in case you have any knowledge gaps, it fills these in.