PHP 6 and MySQL 5 for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide (Visual QuickPro Guides)

For the beginner there are the SQL and PHP chapters themselves. I knew SQL and was familiar with the basics of PHP and so I simply started reading at chapter 3. After that there are advanced topics for PHP and MYSQL use, which are in the format of, box with code in, followed by screenshots, and then an explanation. This conveys the meaning perfectly, and you know how you will implement it into your own website.

Finally, there are additional topics for those people who master PHP/MYSQL and have created their dynamic website. These include a user registration system, and content management system which I am thouroughly looking forward to. Despite the PHP/MYSQL title, the book also covers javascript and html use as they are so much a part of the subject. All this is in a slim 500 page book, which also manages to be a good reference book for the SQL and PHP functions available. I could go on all day...


PHP & MySQL   June 16, 2004
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

An excellent book with a comprehensive complimentary website, a great reference source for when you get stuck! The book contains good hints and tips at the end of each tutorial for if you get into difficulty.
The book does require you to have good web knowledge and assumes you know the basics of HTML. Good understanding of another language, such as JavaScript, is very useful as much of the knowledge is easily transferable to PHP.
The book has a good introduction to databases for those who have avoided tackling them in the past!
If you follow all the tutorials (rather than just downloading the available PHP files!) you will be up and running in no time. The tutorials are clearly explained and illustrated and don't gloss over any of those vital steps as I've found with other tutorial books. Although all tutorials are based on a few simple functions the skills learnt are easily transferable to different, or more complex, systems.
Happy reading :-)


Top book for the php newbie and intermediate   April 5, 2005
K. Halley (UK)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

I can't speak highly enough of this book, I have used it as my bible since picking up a bit of php a few months back. I initially borrowed a friends copy having found it more useful that the SAMs Teach Yourself PHP and Mysql in 24 hours that I had already bought. The SAMS book probably explains some of the constructs of using the language a little better, at the start, loops flow control etc, but after that this book just leaps ahead. I continually refer back to it (so much so I had to buy my own!), and its helped me understand and solve lots of problems I have found along the way. Its helped me a great deal to be able to pick apart some of the automated server behaviours in Dreamweaver and to be able to work with them so I can use their facilities but customised for my own needs . I have written three or four scripts which do combinations of stuff in the book and my confidence has gained to the point I actually enjoy the challenge now!.


Excellent book!   September 21, 2004
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Let me say one thing, if you spend time with this book and read it all the way through properly, at the end you will come out with a very good undersatnding of how PHP and MySQL works.

It is very easy to follow, so you wont be getting stuck, and even if you did you can just visit the books website where you are guarenteed to get help. But hey, it wont even comedown to that anyway as you wont be getting stuck.

After reading this book, I am now working on creating my first dynamic website. I had no experience of php, only little bit of SQL when starting this book. But now I am sure I could class my self as an intermidiate PHP MySQL user.

Just take my advice and try it, you wont be disapointed.