Customer Reviews: Read 31 more reviews...
 excellent communicator August 29, 2008
I bought this book at the same time as 2 others on similar topics. I've hardly used the other 2. This book is well-written, with useful examples and the author has explained the sample code line-by-line... a real help when trying to amend one of his examples to produce something for your own purposes. As a teacher with some experience of HTML/ VB / ASP.NET I found this book really easy to follow.
There are a few very minor typos in the text (not surprising, given the number of pages), but if you visit the author's website there's a full list of corrections. It took me about 5 mins to go through and correct them, so it didn't really reduce the effectiveness of the book.
One feature I've really found useful... there are occasional little tables of other functions that do similar things. There isn't space in the book to describe them all in detail, but knowing the name of a fucntion makes it really easy to find out more using your favourite search engine.
Strongly recommended.
I also boughtHow to Do Everything with PHP and MySQL (How to Do Everything) (which is absolutely useless) and Mysql Crash Course (Sams Teach Yourself) (which is just about OK as a reference, but has awful page layout that makes it really hard to read). This book was far better than either of those.
Perfect starting point August 21, 2008
This books is a perfect starting point for people coming from HTML, CSS and Javascript.
It goes through all the necessary and most basic parts of PHP and MySQL, but doesn't go into any depth with anything. So if you want to become an expert at PHP, you WILL need to get other books as well.
The book is set up in a tutorial fashion, where you are taken through a step by step description of everything.
Having coded PHP for a few years, i still go back to this book to look up stuff i can't quite remember.
It's definitely worth buying if you want to learn PHP and MySQL.
A great foundation... August 15, 2008
I was keen to learn a server side langauage and if I'm honest was always leaning towards the PHP/Mysql combo.
I was constantly looking online for tutorials to grasp the basics of this language but for me, I'm old school and prefer an actual book I can hold and use as a reference.
I purchased this book purely because of the reviews. This book deserves all the praise it gets.
From someone who had little knowledge of PHP, I can easily look at the code, understand it and if a problem occurs apply debugging methods as taught in this book. The odd occassional semicolon here and there seems to slip in.
My skills in web desin consisted of XHTML and CSS so I felt I had to get skilled in a different area. I'm glad I chose PHP and even happier I purchased this book.
As mentioned in the title, I feel I have a great foundation in PHP/MySQL and I'm keen to learn more and create my own dynamic projects.
 Decent addition to your library July 9, 2008
This book does exactly what it says on the tin. There's no mucking about, no extra direction, and no fun.
I have some prior experience with scripting, but this was my first foray into the server-side process. As one reviewer has previously mentioned, getting everything you need up and running can be a real headache, but with the help of the 2008 edition of this book, it is painless. I can highly recommend Xampp to manage your server, language and database if you're not lucky enough to start off with a remote host, as configuring everything individually yourself can go completely FUBAR, and turn you off completely.
I've only got through the first few pages (variables, test page etc) but I can see that as with other QuickPro Guides the subject matter is handled clearly and competently.
HOWEVER:
Having recently devoured Head First HTML - and been entertained whilst doing so - I was extremely disappointed to discover that this book is very, very dry. I hate to admit to being bored by a scripting guide, but this is boring. I can see that I'll have to force myself through this - but hopefully it'll all be worthwhile.
Absolutely Superb June 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I would normally write more for a review, but for this book I really don't need to. It is superbly well written and easy to follow without being dumbed down to the point where you feel like an idiot (as is often the case with programming books). The case studies are well thought out and presented neatly and always within a very relevant context to scripts that you might actually be able to make use of in the future.
It is both an excellent cover to cover read, as well as a reference book for when you're in the middle of coding.
Highly highly recommended, worth every penny. (especially since its now half price on amazon compared to what I paid for it, you really have nothing to lose!)
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