A compilation of best practice solutions to common Web Development problems in PHP, focusing on the achievement of practical goals by applying well-structured, object orientated software design principles.

Volume 2 covers the applications of PHP in the real world including authentication & access control, XML, stats & tracking, caching data to improve performance, design techniques and design patterns. The chapter on Design Patterns is particularly unique as it teaches readers about common object architectures which can be used to solve common (though unique) problems.

In addition to being an excellent reference with over 60 customizable solutions, the book acts as an excellent primer for Object Orientated Programming. PHP 5 has now been released and has been given significant OOP features, which are a must-learn for PHP Developers.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 12 Ratings

Excellent for both Novice and Advanced Developers! - 2006-09-11
Reviewer Rating:
Having built Object Oriented solutions for over nine years in C++ and Delphi, PHP had me confused by the nature of its object system. I was unable to find suitable information on the web on such issues as the PHP object lifecycle, applicability of patterns (entire section on patterns), how to handle the looser typing mechanism (automated tests), and how to optimize for performance. This book solved ALL of my problems!!!

The text is simple and exceedingly practical but far from boring! In fact, I was so excited by how clearly the information was conveyed that I did in fact read both volumes I and II cover to cover - TWICE (though you can use them as reference works). Not only that but the texts significantly increased my respect for PHP; from gruding acceptance of its use to having some genuine affection for the language and appreciation for its power.

If you are completely new to development these books (I and II) are for. If you are an advanced developer with years of OO experience and are just getting started in PHP then you will be relieved by what you find here.

All of that aside, I will say that there were a few instances where the author kludged the definition of an OO concept to make it fit within the PHP framework. There are some substantial ways in which PHP 4 just does not hold up as an OO language (PHP 5 fixes them). However, the author really had no choice in the matter because if he had tried to explain the formal OO concept, then PHP 4's interpretation of that concept and how to implement he would have lost 90% of his audience. So even this one complaint ends with praise - the author skillfully sacrifices detail only where necessary to increase the palatibility of the materal.

Great job! Great book!

Once again, regardless of your skill level if you are going to be doing any halfway serious PHP work you NEED this series.

Vols I & II - 2009-04-11
Reviewer Rating:
The Volume II which I purchased is well worth the money and very readable. Note that volume I is now out of print, so only available in the Used section.
Note too, that the software download examples in Volume II make use of code only available in Volume I so unless you buy both volumes, you wont have the PEAR code, SOAP examples and calendars and some other useful items. Also, for the same reason, about 25% of the Volume II examples which use the directive require("sourceodeVol1.php") will fail. Its a pity the samples for Volume II were not inclusive

very good - 2007-05-28
Reviewer Rating:
the book is not a guide to learn PHP from scrath, but it is very good for new & old programmers.
it's chapters includes all major aspects of the language & a lot of common problems, & that is very useful.

Simple - 2007-05-10
Reviewer Rating:
I liked this book because of its simplicity. Well written, easy to follow, and with a lot of practical examples.

I was surprised when I received because I found it 'thin' (~400 pages but font is relatively big), but, as everything is explained to the point, It has the right number of pages for the right content.

The book is focused in how to make objects work for you, it does not explore unnecessarily in detail how the objects presented get the work done. You can download the code, so you can take a look inside by yourself.

Also, this book cover the basics of PHP PEAR.

Did not make me want to learn OO-PHP - 2007-01-11
Reviewer Rating:
I use a lot of includes in php and wondered if I could more fruitfully use OOP. My conclusion was that includes can do just about everything OOP can do. The book's page-appearance is poor, huge blank rectangles with just a couple of tiny words on them take up two thirds of a page, there's gray tint over just the part of the code you most want to read, the type's too big, the code is clumsily commented so active code lines are hard to pick out. Altogether not a pleasant reading experience. And the instruction is not inspired. I never did get the point of OOP in PHP.

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