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Title: PHP/MySQL Programming for the Absolute Beginner by Andy Harris ISBN: 1-931841-32-2 Publisher: Learning Express Pub. Date: 04 June, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $29.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.8 (5 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Good but not great- it has unusable code
Comment: This book has been good for several things- teaching basic code, reusing snippets of scripts- but in Chaper 6- Working with Files, I haven't been able to get the code to work. Loading it from the companion CD, it didn't work off the bat. I went online for support and there is NO errata souce for the book which is really frustrating! I finally figured out the first problem in the code, but now I am stuck again. I like to use the book as a reference to work on a problem at hand, so this book isn't one for that. Also, the code that it suppllies should work without any tweaking needed (or tell you what tweaking needs to be done) and this book isn't one for that either. Therefore, I suggest borrowing the book from a friend or the library before purchasing, or buy it used. It is helpful at points, but en errata source would have made this perfect for me. For an example of a great book/resource on PHP and MySQL, see Larry Ullman's PHP & MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites.
Rating: 3
Summary: Good, but doesn't help much designing the actual page.
Comment: Good, but doesn't help much designing the actual page. I was hoping to learn to make the actual design of a page, but its mostly all about scripts. I like how you do get examples though.
Rating: 5
Summary: Good for beginners ... Installation issues
Comment: This book is excellent for someone who has zero or outdated programming knowledge. If you follow all the examples you will become knowledgeable enough to tackle more advanced titles on the subject. If you had problems getting the software working ... read the last section of this review. The book covers the basics of HTML, PHP, MySQL and programming concepts such as Variables, Conditions, Functions, Loops, String handling, Arrays etc. at a level and in a manner that beginners should warm to. Rather than a terse explanation of these topics, the author chose to "teach by example". Sometimes this approach works better ... especially in cases where the meaning of the code can be easily interpreted.
The first Chapter on MySQL (CHAP 7) needs some work. It speaks about exporting a table into html and xml (page 281) but does not clearly explain that this exports the results of a query. You will first have to build a query (SELECT * FROM phoneList;) before you can export. There are a few other areas in the book where you have to "figure it out". For example, the use of "backslash-n" appears in the text without explanation. Unfortunately, the PHP manual did not clear it up for me. However, hats off to the author (Andy Harris) as other texts are so much more difficult for the beginner (i.e. non programmer).
Installation Problems
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I had problems getting the supplied PHP software working under Windows 2000. Since I have 2 other PHP books I consulted them only to find that the software supplied by both these did not work either. My Internet search turned up no solution but gave enough info that allowed me to stumble unto a solution. For those of you with a similar problem, try this -
Download apache_1.3.23-win32-x86 or latest version (apache.org)
Download mysql-3.23.49-win or latest version (mysql.com)
Download php-4.2.3-Win32 or latest version (php.net)
The Apache and MySQL installers run automatically but PHP requires some work. Once installed, test Apache with http://localhost/ ... you should see the default apache screen. Next you will need to get Apache to use PHP to interpret files with the .php extension. ... Also, remember to replace all \ with / when editing the configuration files.
If all else fails, reread the installation info that came with the software and search the net for WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL, PHP). Good Luck.
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Title: PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide by Larry Ullman ISBN: 0321186486 Publisher: Peachpit Press Pub. Date: 21 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.99 |
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Title: PHP and MySQL Web Development, Second Edition by Luke Welling, Laura Thomson ISBN: 067232525X Publisher: SAMS Pub. Date: 12 February, 2003 List Price(USD): $49.99 |
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Title: PHP and MySQL for Dummies with CDROM by Janet Valade ISBN: 0764516507 Publisher: For Dummies Pub. Date: 15 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.99 |
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Title: Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL and Apache in 24 Hours by Julie C. Meloni ISBN: 067232489X Publisher: SAMS Pub. Date: 11 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $29.99 |
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Title: Web Database Applications with PHP & MySQL by David Lane, Hugh E. Williams ISBN: 0596000413 Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates Pub. Date: March, 2002 List Price(USD): $44.95 |
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