PHP and MySQL Web Development (4th Edition)

A few years ago, after I decided to learn the PHP (a powerful, open-source web programming language) – I hit up a close friend. At the time he was a web developer and owner of a prominent hosting company. I shared with him my desire in learning PHP and asked if there were any good sources, whether online or text, he’d recommend. His answer was simple. I only needed one book. PHP and MySQL Web Development by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson.

Soon after receiving my copy – I immediately fell in love. The writing was simple and understandable, which helped me to easily begin building my very own PHP applications. The PHP novice can pick up this book, and with careful studying – become well versed in the PHP and MySQL languages. You’ll be led from the introduction of the language – all the way to building your own advanced applications for use on your own blogs.

It’s also an excellent book for development experts, as the chapters are presented well – allowing readers to easily find topics for use as a refresher.

There are five sections within the book. Using PHP, Using MySQL, E-commerce and Security, Advanced PHP Techniques, and Building Practical PHP and MySQL Projects. Each section leads you through easy-to-follow development tutorials – and allows you to build progressively advanced PHP applications. Helpful screenshots within the book show what your applications should look like.

Also included with the book is an applications disk, allowing you to download chapter tutorial codes – which will help in speeding up the learning process.

For myself, this book has become my PHP and MySQL lifeline. I always have a copy sitting on my reference shelf, for quick access when encountering programming problems. Though I’m not yet a PHP genius – this book has increased my knowledge by leaps in bounds, in a very small amount of time.

Buy the Book via Amazon: PHP and MySQL Web Development (4th Edition) (Developer’s Library)