The PHP scripting language and MySQL open source database are quite effective independently, but together they make a simply unbeatable team. When working hand-in-hand, they serve as the standard for the rapid development of dynamic, database-driven websites. This combination is so popular, in fact, that it's attracting many programming newbies who come from a web or graphic design background and whose first language is HTML. If you fall into this ever-expanding category, then this book is for you.

Learning PHP and MySQL starts with the very basics of the PHP language, including strings and arrays, pattern matching and a detailed discussion of the variances in different PHP versions. Next, it explains how to work with MySQL, covering information on SQL data access for language and data fundamentals like tables and statements. Finally, after it's sure that you've mastered these separate concepts, the book shows you how to put them together to generate dynamic content. In the process, you'll also learn about error handling, security, HTTP authentication, and more.

If you're a hobbyist who is intimidated by thick, complex computer books, then this guide definitely belongs on your shelf. Learning PHP and MySQL explains everything--from basic concepts to the nuts and bolts of performing specific tasks--in plain English.

Part of O'Reilly's bestselling Learning series, the book is an easy-to-use resource designed specifically for newcomers. It's also a launching pad for future learning, providing you with a solid foundation for more advanced development.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 25 Ratings

A waste of $30 -- ALL NEWBS SHOULD AVOID! - 2008-05-30
Reviewer Rating:
I came to this book as a newbie, with some knowledge of HTML and CSS, and that's about it. This book nearly killed my desire to learn PHP/MySQL.

The problems start early, in Chapter 2. The installation information is seriously flawed. Many of the links they point you to are dead. And even when I went to the book's web site for an updated link, and followed the instructions to the letter, I still wasn't in business. I googled to try to get help and stumbled across some other lost soul using this book, with exactly the same problem as me. Guess what? He was begging for help on a message board somewhere. I should have realized right then that this book was worthless. But I soldiered on.

I managed to get PHP and MySQL downloaded (though the connector was still not working), and started working on some of the PHP coding. I learned some PHP, sure, but it was a slow, slow process. Practical applications? Practice exercises? Clear explanations for inexperienced computer programmers - presumably the kind of people who would be buying a book like this? Rare or nonexistent.

I skipped ahead to the MySQL section, made it in a few pages, and then they recommended that I install PhpMyAdmin. Well, I did, and then I ran into the problem with the lack of connection between PHP and MySQL again. So I went back to Chapter 2, and wasted another hour of my life trying to figure out how to get the past the basic installation issues.

So, yeah, I paid $30 so I could figure it all out for myself. And I still haven't. So thanks a lot, folks. You took $30 of my hard-earned money, and in return gave me several hours of aggravation.

I know the computer experts out there will laugh at this review - they always think they're superior to newbs. But I know I'm not stupid. A better book will teach me the basics of PHP and MySQL, I just need to find it. This one is not newb-friendly. And if a how-to book isn't newb-friendly, then as far as I'm concerned it ain't worth a thing.

NEWBS BEWARE. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

No mention of PHP modules: mysql or mysqli? - 2009-05-29
Reviewer Rating:
The single biggest omission in my opinion is the complete absence of any mention of mysqli -- there is use of the more common php-mysql module, but if this is a book about integrating PHP and MySQL, I really would have expected the php-mysql and php-mysqli modules to take center stage. There is no mention of prepared queries, which is a real shame because the poor quality of the examples on php.net create a real need that could be filled by an informative book. Unfortunately, this is not that book. There is barely any mention of database security, only a brief mention of some of the most basic functions (e.g. add slashes). I really expected a book like this to take on the confusing topic of magic quotes vs. add slashes at least. I got the impression that the authors never have experienced a real-life SQL injection attack.

I work on a lot of sites, and I rarely read these books through start to finish. I have used this book more as a go-to reference when I encounter a problem, but it's really let me down. If I could find the receipt, I'd send it back.

Good starter - 2009-02-24
Reviewer Rating:
This is a good book to get someone going on PHP and MySQL. However, I found myself simply browsing the Internet instead as there appears to be more relevant and thorough tutorials online.

Worst Book I Have Ever Used - 2008-10-09
Reviewer Rating:
This book is full of errors and unexplained concepts. It is the worst book I have ever read. I can't believe the author or editor ever checked to see if there were any errors, and that everything made sense. This is horrible for O'Reilly's reputation. I probably will not buy another O'Reilly book.

In a word, "Terrible." - 2008-07-15
Reviewer Rating:
This book is terribly written. There are typos everywhere, both simple grammar typos and coding/logic typos. For a beginner to the material it is extremely nerve wracking to follow. Not only do the typos throw you for a loop, but it has no logical flow to the material. For example, they go over creating tables in Chapter 7, but you they don't tell you how to use mysql until chapter 8. Then in the middle of chapter 8 (p 137) they tell you to create an NEW database, followed immediately by a section on how to manipulate a table (in this example, `books`) in that new database (p 138). Problem is, ERROR: there are no tables! You just created a new database and it is empty! The table they are referring to was used as an example to explain database concepts in Ch 7 (p 124).

I love(d) my O'Reilly books but I will NEVER buy another one blindly again. Even worse, I read review for the second edition and apparently not much if any of these major problems have been fixed.

I find it extremely hard to believe that anyone who gave this book a decent rating actually used this book to learn PHP & mySQL or even read it through.

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