Learning PHP, MySQL, And JavaScript (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
This was a helpful book for a beginner in PHP and MySQL. I wish there were more references to all the built-in functions of the languages in the appendix but these are readily available on the developer sites for both MySQL and PHP. I ordered the e-book version through O'Reilly and I really wished that it was a little more updated. The installation guidelines were obsolete which I would expect in a print book, but I had hoped the e-books were updated more frequently.I missed seeing examples of how to call MySQL inside a PHP file. There are slight changes to syntax that I would have loved to see explained. Luckily I had other books that explained this process in detail.Security breaches, from my understanding, is one of the big risks of using PHP. It didn't really explain how to prevent any. But for beginners, learning the syntax and logic of the language is the most important to start. Other than these minor details, I found the book to be fairly thorough as a beginner's guide to becoming acquainted with the languages.I'll be sure to update this review once I finish the remaining Javascript section. Despite the title (and as I expected,) this book is not the be-all end-all guide to everything PHP/MySQL/JavaScript. It gives you a good solid foundation for the tools you have on hand with all three technologies, and guides you down a simple path to integrating all three into the framework of a simple dynamic website. It gives you just enough exposure to make something concrete, but don't expect to learn about the more powerful tools you have at your disposal with each one.Personally, the book's scope was perfect. However, I do have a long history of working with older web technologies, and have a strong background in the fundamentals of object oriented programming. The book was direct, to-the-point, presented in a logical order, and gave me the information I needed and the common examples I needed to hit the ground running.For anyone who is completely new to web/software development, my recommendation hinges entirely on why you're interested in the book in the first place. If all you want is the ability to do some tinkering on an already existing framework, this book will at least familiarize you with what you'll be looking at in the field. If you're looking to do some small-scale ground-up development, I can see this being a good kick-start to that purpose. Current professionals looking for a quick primer to kick-start their foray into PHP/MySQL/Javascript would also enjoy this book. However, if you're looking for a reference that will take you in depth into any of the three technologies, I would advise looking elsewhere. The author here does a good job of getting the reader's feet wet, but never does much more than point at the deeper end of the pool. Look elsewhere if that's what you need.
What do You think about Learning PHP, MySQL, And JavaScript (2009)?
Excellent! Easy to read, straightforward guide. Already learned several very useful things.
—Sarah
Pretty cool, covers many useful things and opens your mind on what to continue.
—LENI
