This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

It hasn't taken Web developers long to discover that when it comes to creating dynamic, database-driven Web sites, MySQL and PHP provide a winning open source combination. Add this book to the mix, and there's no limit to the powerful, interactive Web sites that developers can create. With step-by-step instructions, complete scripts, and expert tips to guide readers, veteran author and database designer Larry Ullman gets right down to business: After grounding readers with separate discussions of first the scripting language (PHP) and then the database program (MySQL), he goes on to cover security, sessions and cookies, and using additional Web tools, with several sections devoted to creating sample applications. This guide is indispensable for intermediate- to advanced level Web designers who want to replace their static sites with something dynamic. In this edition, the bulk of the new material covers the latest versions of both technologies: PHP 6 (due out in 2008) and MySQL 5 (available now). The book's publication date is likely to beat the official release of PHP 6, making it one of the first books available on the subject.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 151 Ratings

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK! It's full of bad code. - 2009-10-27
Reviewer Rating:
This book is full of coding errors. I completed an errata form on the first one I found and, at the same time, wrote to Peachpit about my disappointment. They rudely replied just to complete an errata form. No "sorry about that" or anything.

I was going to continue entering the new errors I keep finding. But, why should I have to buy this cruddy book and PAY THEM for the privilege of doing their quality control and editing for them?!

Siding with the minority on this one - 2009-08-11
Reviewer Rating:
Let me preface this review by stating that I am a reasonably well educated person. I read voraciously - fiction, psychology, history, archaeology, volumes of techno-geekery, and so on. I'm comfortable using XHTML and CSS. In short, I'm no dummy. Also, I truly loathe having to give a book a poor review.

Having said that, I found this book impossible to get through! It is neither "visual" nor "quick". I cannot comment on the accuracy of the code because I still haven't made it past the introduction. I actually dread attempting the rest of it.

The writing style is dry as old dust. I didn't buy this book to be entertained, so theoretically the writing style shouldn't matter - except when it gets in the way of my learning. Personally, I don't learn much when my eyes are crossing from tedium.

Much of the text seems repetitious - not in a "let's repeat crucial concepts so they will sink in" kind of way, but in a "let's turn a 475 page book into a 602 page book (not including the index) so we can charge more for it" kind of way.

Even the layout is mind-numbing.

I have a great deal of respect for the author for tackling the subject, and I'm pleased that so many others have found this book helpful. It simply isn't the right book for me - so much so that I felt compelled to present an alternate point of view, to help keep the reviews more realistic. If this is the right book for you, fantastic! Just bear in mind that it is not without its flaws.

Looking for self-education material - 2009-06-27
Reviewer Rating:
This is the best book on PHP scripting that I have found to date. It provided me with a lot of good information and enabled me to learn php to the extent to be able to effectively develop server side scripts. I am an experienced programmer, but feel this book is good for those who have limited programming or scripting knowledge. I was a bit disappointed in the depth of coverage, ie not enough for me. As an example, it covered how to set up a script to email information, but it did not cover how to attach a file to the email. I would recommend this book, but like most subjects, multiple sources of information are needed.

BUY for the 1st PHP Book for your library - 2009-09-21
Reviewer Rating:
GET IT NOW! If you have a basic HTML understanding and want to learn PHP and how it is used with database and MySql... GET IT NOW! And go to the author's website - [...] - to download the scripts to save typing! The publisher offers a FREE online limited (45 day) edition so you can learn anywhere, anytime! You must use the URL and coupon code in back of book.
This book is used by University of Texas at Arlington for Beginning and Advanced PHP web design. It belongs in your library!
[...]

Clear and concise from first page to last! - 2009-09-13
Reviewer Rating:
Best PHP and MySQL book for novices or for programmers not familiar with PHP & MySQL. Thank you Larry, for writing this book!

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