PHP and MySQL in easy steps

I must say i wish i found this series months ago. I tried to learn programming previously using those big 1,000-page technical books. All those books did was confuse me. This book explains in one page what the large books do in 20 pages. The format of the book makes it easy to follow, using color-coded programming code. One page explains the concept and the next is a coding exercise. The code that the book asks you to type up is simple enough to show you what is going on. A screenshot of the result is shown as well, at the bottom of the page. The book is light on programming jargon so the concept is simple enough for non-programmers to get it. Even if you don't get it, just re-read and glance at the code on the following page and it will be easy to pull the meaning out of the text. The book is rather small and light, which makes a good print book for a learner on-the-go. I believe it is around 192 pages long, inclusive of the index. I will be looking at more books in this series thanks to this book. The only I wish this author did with the book was notate how to get set up with non-local web server, such as a paid monthly/annually web server. I adapted the book's code and got the MySQL to verify its version, based on the MySQL exercise in the beginning of the book. Many people prefer XAMP for local web server for PHP, the book uses Abyss Web Server.

Love the way every two pages consist of a lesson and exercise. Also, a list of some of my bug fixes: "Chapter 2: Describing dimensions" - Make sure you space the brackets "[ ]" in the second foreach loop or the brackets will be interpreted literally as a part of the array not a separate value. "Chapter 4: Validating for data" - For testing email I used "/^[_A-Za-z0-9-]+(\.[_A-Za-z0-9-]+)*@[A-Za-z0-9-]+(\.[A-Za-z0-9-]+)*(\.[A-Za-z]{2,})$/" for my pattern variable.

This is my second PHP book. The first one was about 500 pages and after reading it for a while, I was more confused than when I started. PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps is a condensed book on PHP that is very clear and accurate. It uses everyday words and not so much of the confusing jargon you are used too. The chapters in this book are small so I have been taking them one by one and working the examples on my computer. I have learned more in reading and working half of the examples in this book than I ever have with any of the other PHP books and websites. Great job Mike McGrath! Love it! I'm gonna buy them all!

Exactly what I needed! For beginners like myself I find it does a great job breaking down and giving examples for using PHP and MySQL together. My background is 13 years HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, 3 years with WordPress, 5 years with databases (Started with Access, then learned how to use PHPMyAdmin in my webhosts' CPanel to tweak some things with WordPress... that's when things started to click for me, in terms of how Databases and Websites work together). If you are trying to play "catch-up" check out HTML, CSS, and SQL classes on codecademy.com first. I've always wanted to make a form on my own - now I can, and more! I know I will continue to use this book as a reference.

While overall the book had good information on getting started, I was looking for more about PHP. The book could be good for someone who wants to play with MySQL.

This book covers a lot of different scenarios and makes them very easy to understand. I also like that since I bought a digital version of the book, I can just type in what I'm looking for and there's usually an example of exactly what I'm trying to do.

Mike McGrath does well in condensing the subject in this small volume. The downside was the use of the Abyss web server. I would have preferred WAMP or one of the other popular options. I got stranded trying to get on with using Abyss for several weeks.

This is an excellent book. It is structured well as it goes from basic concepts and finally brings all the concepts together into a practical application. There are lots of useful tips in many sidebar items.

This book is a good starting point for anyone who wants to learn PHP & MYSQL, it gives you step-by-step instructions on how to get everything set-up and it's even in colour. However, the negative point of this is that it does not talk about the full PHP language, it gives a small overview but not detailed enough it talks about loops, if statements, arrays, strings but does not go in to much detail. The MYSQL part has a lot of detail. When your told to write some code it is nicely organized numbered down and in full colour, each step is easy to follow. (I guess that's why the call it easy-steps) Towards the end you make a forum, user registration (encrypted) and a shopping site all data driven. So I would say it is the perfect book for beginners and even those who actually know PHP I know some PHP I learned over the years but this was a nice refresher with MYSQL. (I don't know MYSQL+PHP) For the price it is a short (192 Pages) but good book. I finished it in 2 days.

Another great addition to the in easy steps library. The series is the best resouce ive found. Easier to understand and the illustrated step by step instructions are fantastic

AWESOME. It's a complete and hotshot book for learning PHP, MySQL, and the relationship in between. However, this book is especially good for non-technical people as it elaborates too much and leaves out many technical generic details. It explains a lot about Windows-specific stuff. Also, the book is basically: overview on left page + a list on right page. Can't say whether that's good or bad, but was unconductive to my learning. Another last weakness: the book doesn't use the Apache from the LAMP. It uses Abyss. Although Abyss can do virtually all general stuff that Apache can, but there's a reason why Apache is most popular. Doesn't know whether it's a weakness or not either. In all, a good, stylish, flashy book that gets major concepts covered.

The 'In Easy Steps' series have never let me down, especially those (many) written by Mike McGrath. Strongly recommended for anyone starting with PHP/MySQL but also useful as a reference later one.

very good book, brought it for my brother, explanation is simple, pictures are clear and examples are simple too , very reasonable price and free shipping is great