Best Beginner Book on PHP

Anon

I know that there is a list of books at the PHP.net site, but if you were new to PHP and could buy only one, which would it be? I'm relatively new to PHP, but have programmed in other scripting languages.

BTW: If you could answer the same question for mySQL, I'd be killing two birds with one post!

Thanks!

TCC

Anon

I have two, "PHP Essentials" and "Building Database Applications on the Web Using PHP3". 'Essentials' covers mySQL in a little more detail, and seems to be written more at the beginner level. 'Building...' has much more detailed examples, and a CD, but less specifics on mySQL. If you can only buy ONE book on PHP, I would recommend "Building Database Applications on the Web Using PHP3". If you want to get fully up to speed on mySQL, you'll really need the O'Reilly book also. I would also recommend that you spend as much time as possible in this forum.

Anon

I haven't used any other book, but I can tell you that Profession PHP Programming from Wrox Press is a VERY GOOD ALL-AROUND PHP book. It has a MySQL specific section which teach database integration. It was written before PHP 4 was released, but has a section on sessions and PHP 4 as well.

You would not regret getting this book. Jesus Castagnetto wrote part of it, and he frequently posts answers in the forums on this site. Very good reading material.

ISBN 1-861002-96-3

Anon

Here here. I pick the Wrox book up when I'm at Barnes and Noble.

But really, the best way to learn is to pick up CODE from this site, read the posts of interest, and APPLY yourself. I started about a month ago with a bit of JavaScript and Perl ability, and have really taken to PHP. But that is because I work the code I find. My two books have helped, but the best learning tool is right here and in the shared code lib.

Enjoy!

Anon

I think you've both sold me on the Wrox book. I have, gulp!, Professional Active Server Pages 2.0 and it really is an outstanding book although I don't like ASP. I really don't want to be reliant on the "Empire" any longer and want an Open Source tool for most of my future work. If the PHP book as as good as the ASP book, I'm sure I'll be pleased.

I also agree with your point about needed to read posts and review code. There really isn't any substitution for getting your hands dirty is there?

BTW: Is there a way to set up a local workstation that you can use to write code and test it on the same machine like you can with ASP (using the Personal Web Server) and ColdFusion using their own personal server. I can go back to writing code and testing it against a hosting service's server (since I don't have a local server for development at this point). Any thoughts on this?

Anon

I have a workstation set up on Win98. I use Apache, PHP, and MySQL for development. You can use many different servers and database platforms though. Just check the www.php.net website for particulars.

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/

Has a PHP workstation install tutorial (for linux and windows) using the Apache, PHP, MySQL combo.

Anon

I'am from malaysia. in my country there is no any book about php. if anybody could help me to get this php books such as "Building Database Applications on the
Web Using PHP3", please contact me at my email.

Anon

Doesn't Amazon.com Ship Internationally?

Anon

You can install Apache, PHP, MySQL on a Win32 machine. Pro PHP has instructions on how to set it up. Another reason to buy the book 😉

Anon

Cool! OK, I just ordered Professional PHP by Wrox and PHP Essentials. I found both at A1Books. I never used them before, but the prices were great (much cheaper than Amazon). I got Pro PHP for $31.95 and PHP Essentials for 25.75. Even shipping was reasonable. I'll let you know if they show up!
TCC