No matter what language you are familiar with, this book will benefit you. Beginning with a rapid introduction to PHP's syntax and basic functionality, you will swiftly understand PHP. The book then steers you toward advanced issues, like PHP's role in database manipulation, sessions, and user interactivity.
Author W.J. Gilmore also examines how PHP can work with XML, JavaScript, and the Component Object Model (COM). He loads the book with practical examples and several projects that can be immediately incorporated on any website. The invaluable A Programmer's Introduction to PHP 4.0 shows you how to make the most of PHP's powerful capabilities, regardless of your current scope of PHP knowledge.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - OK for my needs
-- but I don't have the needs that a serious PHP programmer does. All the basics seem to be here, in the form of examples. An experienced programmer can skip over the bumpy parts and fill in the blanks.
And there are lots of blanks. Boolean operators are introduced on page 60, including both bitwise and short-circuit OR operators. It gives an example of short-circuit behavior, but never really explains what that means. (If you never heard the term, "a OR b" in the short-circuit sense ... Read More
Rating: - Lots of errors
There are lots of errors in the code listings in this book, as well as a lot of typos in the text. This is not just annoying, but quite confusing. The concepts are explained well enough, but the errors really get in the way.
Rating: - 3 thumbs up
Not for newbies to programming but if you know the basics of html and javascript and basic database stuff but want the heads up on PHP then this book is great !!!... Just the facts described short, sweet and to the point. Examples are perfect without being overly complex. Good stuff.
Rating: - Somewhat misleading title, but the book is still great
A more appropriate title would have been 'An Introduction to PHP 4.0 for HTML Programmers'. The first five chapters cover basic programming concepts such as data types, conditional statements, functional programming, in arrays in very great detail. I found myself (a VB, C, and C++ programmer) skipping dozens of pages at a time. However, in addition to the basic theories, the book does do a good job explaining the various commands and functions PHP uses, although in a manner slightly more basic ... Read More
Rating: - 2 Thumbs UP!
The book gave me so much fundamental insights I needed to get started with PHP. The examples are easy to understand; explanations are to the point; and the entire book is so very practical. If anyone needs to purchase their first or second PHP4 book, this is the one.
- OK for my needs
- Lots of errors
- 3 thumbs up
