PHP & MySQL: Novice to Ninja

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Product Description
PHP is an extremely popular open-source general purpose scripting language that’s particularly suited to server-side web development. As of 2007, PHP was used on some 20 million domains worldwide. It’s a very popular choice with the SitePoint community.

The easiest, simplest and most fun way to get into server-side coding. All of the software used is free, so no additional outlay is required.

• An easy-to-follow tutorial, with all code available to download
• Install PHP & MySQL on Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux
• Gain a thorough understanding of PHP syntax and object oriented programming principles
• Master database design principles and SQL
• Develop robust websites that can handle high levels of traffic
• Build a working content management system
• Develop an e-commerce shopping cart

Beginner-level web developers. They will need to have a little familiarity with HTML and CSS.

What’s new in this edition?
• Up to date: Updated for Windows 7, Mac OS X Lion, and the latest versions of PHP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, XAMPP and MAMP.
• Now even easier to get started: Software installation and setup have always been one of the biggest hurdles for beginners. This edition of the book now recommends using all-in-one installation packages like XAMPP and MAMP, and moves the brittle manual setup instructions to an appendix at the end of the book.
• No command prompt required: phpMyAdmin is used for all database administration tasks, and for sending SQL commands to MySQL. Previous versions of the book asked readers to use the Terminal or Command Prompt to send SQL commands to their MySQL server.
• Best practice database code: Rather than building up SQL queries as strings and passing them to MySQL-specific functions like mysqli_query as in previous editions, this edition uses the more robust and portable PHP Data Objects API and prepared statements to work with MySQL.
• HTML5 markup: The bulky and verbose XHTML1 markup of previous editions gives way to the svelte, easy-to-read HTML5 markup that all the cool kids are using these days.
• Object oriented programming primer: Chapter 4 now contains a primer on OOP. While OOP is not required to start using PHP or to understand the code used in this book, many of the popular PHP frameworks that readers might like to move onto after finishing the book, such as Symfony and CakePHP, assume OOP knowledge.
• Tons of tweaks: Hundreds of tiny nips and tucks based on reader questions and feedback received for the 4th edition, removing common sticking points and providing additional guidance where needed.