From Amazon
Like other books in the Visual Quickstart series, it uses wide margins and plentiful illustrations, although it has to be said that simple browser screens and code examples do not score highly on visual appeal. Even so, the combination of short, carefully explained topics, numbered steps and illustrations of the output makes for a clear, easy to follow tutorial. An appendix covers installation on both Linux and Windows.
This is a slim title, and does not pretend to cover advanced use of PHP. The database coverage, in just one short chapter, is particularly thin. If you already have a little programming knowledge, you might prefer one of the more detailed PHP books, such as , from Wrox, or Leon Atkinson's Core PHP Programming. On the other hand, those looking for a keenly priced guide to PHP fundamentals will find PHP for the World Wide Web an ideal starting point. --Tim Anderson
Book Description
Visual QuickStart Guide Series Larry Ullman
The ideal way to learn PHP, the powerful open-source Web scripting tool.
One of the first beginners guides to PHP. Professional Java, C, Perl, and JavaScript users will also find this a valuable reference.
Affordable, task-based guide shows readers just what they need to get started with PHP. PHP is a powerful (and free) scripting language used to create dynamic Web sites and Web applications. With PHP, Web application developers can perform both simple and complex functions with a few lines of additional code in a standard HTML Web page. PHP is frequently being used to replace forms and functions formerly created by CGI scripts. PHP for the World Wide Web- Visual QuickStart Guide is geared for beginning and intermediate Web developers looking for an introductory guide. The task-based format gets users started with basic syntax, testing scripts, working with variables, creating Web applications, and more. Throughout the book, sample scripts and projects show the readers just what they need to know, and a companion Web site offers every script in this book available for downloading.
From the Author
The book covers the very fundamentals of PHP programming, including: regular expressions, connecting to a database, sending e-mails, and more. Certain topics (such as Object Oriented Programming and sessions) aren't covered but references will take you to where you can learn more, should you feel that's necessary.
The text is well supported by its accompanying Web site where you'll find: all the scripts up-to-date and downloadable; a listing of any corrections; over 100 links to different PHP-related topics; latest news; and more! The author currently answers every email he receives and attempts to support the readers as much as possible.
PHP for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart guide aims to be the best beginner's guide to PHP in terms of practical knowledge, clear demonstrations, author support, and price!
From the Back Cover
So you know HTML, even JavaScript, but the idea of learning an actual programming language like PHP terrifies you? Well, stop quaking and get going with this easy task-based guide! Aimed at beginning PHP developers just like yourself, this volume uses step-by-step instructions and plenty of visual aids to get you started testing scripts, using basic syntax, working with variables, creating Web applications, and everything else you need to know to create dynamic Web pages with this increasingly popular and important scripting language. Along the way, you'll learn about all that's new in version 5: the new Zend Engine, updated XML support, greatly improved streams (now able to access low-level socket operations), a bundled copy of SQLite, and more. Throughout the book, you'll find sample scripts and projects as well as the timesaving tips and techniques that have become the hallmark of the popular Visual QuickStart series. A companion Web site offers all of the book's scripts for download.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.About the Author
Larry E. Ullman, an experienced PHP programmer, is currently Lead Programmer at Com-Insights, a digital media services provider. He lives in State College, Pennsylvania.
