Learning PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Dynamic Websites (Animal Guide)

• #2 in Best PHP Books
• #3 in Best Mysql Books
• #3 in Best Javascript Books

24 Reviews

Sort by: Most Helpful ▲ Date Rating

Here is my background:
Java, Cold Fusion, ASP.net, C#, Rails; sys admin for Windows and Unix boxes.

Picked up several books to learn PHP - yuck!

Picked up this book. Wow. In 2 days I was on my way!

1. all the code examples actually work. Yes, it's true. I know it's shocking.
2. the explanations are excellent. Wow can this person communicate. Again shocking.
3. Tons of examples. Talking is great but I learn through code examples. There are plenty here. That is why in 2 days you will be like: Wow I can code in PHP.
4. Here is the best part - Nixon helps you setup everything so it works. I mean in less than 30min I was running PHP via Apache on my Windows using Mysql. I have days with other books trying to make things work because the author did not care enough to actually help me do setup.

Then pick up the PHP Web Dev Wellin/Thompson book and bang with Nixon's - you are a PHP intermediate level programmer.

Really - that easy.

I wasted so many hours with other books - crap. Live and learn.

Thank you Robin Nixon. This book is a godsend. With the hours I saved, I am partying - yee ha!

I had the pleasure of being a technical reviewer for the book, and this follow-up to O'Reilly's Learning PHP & MySQL is an enormous improvement over its predecessors. Robin Nixon maintains a comfortable, conversational tone throughout the text, so newcomers to the topic should not find the material daunting. The contents are very well targeted to novices of the craft, cutting out needless technical details and jargon to focus on what a new developer ought to know to create a functioning website. This is not a reference manual or intended for advanced users, but most people will find something useful within its pages, even if all you're looking for is a refresher on the topics.

I had to come back and re-review this book. I'm taking off two stars off my rating, one for the overload of typos I found as I got deeper into the book and for some of the examples NOT being "real world" enough. I know that sounds picky but many of the examples could have served better as real scripts but instead he made some questionable choices that will make you pretty much have to start from scratch to make your own. They just could've been more practical.

On the positive side, I do agree with what's already been said about the author communicating well. The reason I was really excited about this title and why I'm loving it so much as I go through it is that it focuses on combining all three and talks about real-world situations. You might read a PHP or javascript book that does the job teaching you those on their own but when it's time to close the book and use them on a real website, you'd be lost or Googling a LOT of things. Most "cool" sites do a good job of making their scripting languages work well together, and this book will show you how to do that, and it serves as a good jump-off for more advanced scripting later. It's like the author said "I know what you're trying to accomplish, here's how to do it."

Good job.

It is rare that I am so inspired to write a review for something. This book made learning easy. I must say that without the experience of taking a Java programming class at my college (the only programming experience I have), I would have likely had to make use of additional sources to fully grasp the PHP - object oriented section of this book. But even so, I still highly recommend this book to anybody wanting to create a highly functional website.

After spending about 2 weeks with it, I am already building dynamic websites that are impressing even myself. It is written very well and has great examples for practice coding. FIVE STARS without question!

I've only gotten through the first two and a half chapters, but so far it's a great introduction to the web technologies necessary to make a Web 2.0 site. The author has a great writing style for this kind of book--he is engaging and knowledgeable, while not speaking down at you too much.

No programming knowledge is required, and the book does discuss basic concepts like variables, arrays, etc. But it does look like that is all covered in the first few chapters and that by the end you can create working, powerful websites.

And when you're done with this book, the author himself gives you a list of what books to go onto when you want to learn more about any of the technologies covered.

Overall, a great book so far and a fine addition to the stellar O'Reilly series!

I've read HeadFirst Php and Mysql and it was too simple and assume you know nothing at all about programming.

This book on the other hand assume you have some knowledge of programming and goes straight through the basic of PHP then MySQL and then Javascript and whatever else...

First off, I'm rusty so I'm using this book to sharpen my PHP and I brushed through it fairly easy (through the PHP chapters). There ARE lots of code errors! I have no clue why the other reviewers are saying there are no errors! There's a errata page for this book (O'Reily's webpage). I even found error in the session/http auth example that isn't even posted on the errata page yet!

The book was great to brush over my PHP skill (only did like three small project on php). MySQL was neat, I learn new stuff from it. The author does go into care about sql injections and script injection and html entities which is nice and everybody should know these things. But that's it!

Everything else was bad. He doesn't teach you Object Oriented programming for php. The http/auth combination is either wrong or stupid to even have those in combination. After searching the web for solutions, because logout code doesn't really work with the http authen page, it only kill session, from what I gathered that it was stupid to use those two combination.

Does not go into details on installing smarty but a quick google helped or just stick with your linux. So it's just a small niggle nothing major.

Oh, the biggest problem was when I get to the Javascript part. His Javascript coding style is ugly. Instead of declaring variables in the beginning such as var variable1, he does it on the go, which to me is ugly as hell. It also makes it harder to read. Oh and he leaves the semicolon that end statement because it's optional.

Yes, I know this is an introduction to these languages and database but I think the author tries his hardest to balance it out while covering all these topics but it didn't work out.

I've started reading php object-oriented solutions by David Powers and let me tell you, the codes in that book works. You know why it works? Because the author have written TONS of test cases and have codes that test each classes and their methods. So this is where I'm benching my, "The Code works!" rating.

For those reviews that stated that the code works, you guys are either lying or just not thinking when you read/programming.

Writing an introductory book on a topic like web programming is always difficult because the audience is varied. The readers will range from complete newbies who have never written a program before to experts in other technologies writing their first web pages, or perhaps even experts in other web technologies using these technologies for the first time.

PHP, MySQL & JavaScript perhaps goes a bit fast for someone with no programming experience whatsoever, but does not assume expert programmer status. The PHP and MySQL sections are very well explained and would be great for someone with little experience. For someone with a lot of experience in other programming languages, the PHP section might be a bit slow, but can fairly easily be skimmed to get the main content.

The MySQL section was a great, but somewhat short, introduction to relational databases. A little more depth might be helpful. Many volumes have been written on relational databases, elsewhere, however.

The JavaScript section went at a good pace for someone who already has quite a bit of programming experience. It might be a bit fast for someone at the level that the PHP section assumes. Readers who are new to programming will have enough information to write working code, even if they don't understand all of the nuances behind the language.

Overall the book is a good starting off point for anyone wanting to learn web development with PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript. Readers with little programming experience should be able to follow the discussion without much trouble. The information is organized in a orderly way, so more experienced developers can skim or skip over what they already know.

Let me start out by saying that I originally gave this 4 stars because it doesn't explain concepts for new developers to php. The books assumes that you have computer programming knowledge even though it states you don't have to in the description, which luckily I have programming experience so I could understand the concepts but just gave a warning to new developers with no programming experience in my first review. I had to then take it down to 1 star because the book has no logical order in which it teaches you the concepts, gives examples and gives answers or follow-ups. Example: the book would show you an example of the concept(an actual hard code example), then explain the concepts, then tell you what happens when the code runs. Because of this style/order(or lack of it) it makes it hard to learn. There is useful information in this book but you can find far better books out there that have some form of logic and order to the construction of the material. I really have no idea how this book made it past his editor and publication company because O'Reily usually has great books. Do yourself a favor and save a lot of headaches and try a different book. I usually don't write negative reviews(you can look in my review history) but this book is COMPLETELY nonsensical and has no logical order.

First of all, I rarely write reviews. Bt I find this book troubling.


I don't know who to blame, the author or the review.

The problem with people reviewing books is subjectivity. Meaning Just because you find a book helpful, doesn't mean it will be helpful to others. Like when people say things like "Great Book" or "Just what I needed." How the f*** does that translate to anything meaningful?

If you are new to PHP, Javascript and MYSQL, stay away from this book.

1. There is no way you can cover PHP, Javascript and MYSQL. in a book with less then 530 pages.

A book on the Subject of MYSQL alone has over 1500 pages, three times the number of pages in this book that covers three areas of programming. Does that say anything? So the MYSQL section of this book has about 150 pages compare to 1500 pages!!

2. This book does not cover basics so the author and or the people making a review should have at least acknowledged they are not novice to programming.

3. Reading this book is like falling asleep in one place and waking up in another place.

4. The title is extremely misleading - "Learning" should be removed from the title and replaced with "Doing more with" or "getting a step ahead." "Not learning."


Waste of time and money.


M

So I came into reading this one with a background of knowing XHTML and CSS. I've played a very tiny bit with javascipt, but as far as really being able to do anything at all with it I was lost.

This book is a great intro to all three of these different languages. The author does a good job of explaining everything very clearly and uses good examples of how what your leaning works. The review questions at the end of each chapter are also great.

I would recommend anyhow who is thinking of learning these core web languages to pick this book up. Its a great investment and mine is all ready getting plenty of use.

Perhaps your like me where learning to write code for myself to be very difficult. I never took a computer programming classes so I lack many fundamentals and concepts. I've always had an easier time with HTML and CSS as those are not programming languages rather just input and output with properties and structures to learn.

As for learning a programming language like PHP (server-side) or JavaScript (browser-side) I've tried it all. From taking to websites that offer the basics and concepts such as free resources like W3Schools and Tizag. Sure, I start reading the code and know what going on but fundamentally, to write my own stuff, it was very difficult.

Found out about this book and it offered the three technologies I have been most earning to learn. This book does a great job to introduce each technology, the concepts about it and takes you step by step with some good code examples. It then goes to have you bring it all together to build your own simple dynamic social site, albeit, extremely bareboned, you'll see the power in using all three.

Here is a breakdown of each part:

1. PHP
2. MySQL
3. JavaScript
4. Emerging Technology (AJAX)
5. Building your own with what you learned

Its a good way to learn as it keeps you focused on a certain subject. Also, the pace is not too fast. As for starting with PHP, its a good way to lead into MySQL. Finally, by the time your starting to learn the basics of JavaScript, you'll already be familiar with what was taught in PHP regarding variables, strings, functions, arrays and objects.

Introducing AJAX really elevates ones perspective of the potential of using all three together to create dynamic and live websites.

This book will not make you an expert in any of the technologies, but it does its job. It introduces you programming like no other book I've read before. Trust me, I've tried to learn from tutorials, websites and books that focus on just a single technology and none comes close to helping me learn.

This is the first book to read for anyone interested in becoming a web developer that has never learned a programming language before.

I'm a beginner at php, MySQL and javascript, but reading through this book and doing the examples simultaneously made learning fast and easy. The writing style is easy to understand and topics are repeated enough to refresh your memory through the chapters. I strongly recommend this book!

I had to buy the book for a graduate course in college. I'm quite experienced with both PHP and MySQL and thought it might not be too useful to me, because it assumes no prior knowledge, but I was wrong. PHP starts from the very beginning - variables, conditions, loops, objects, arrays, etc; MySQL section begins with relational database basics and then ties MySQL and PHP together. I pretty much jumped through the basics for PHP and MySQL but even if you are familiar with these subjects, in those chapters you can find hints that are surprisingly useful. I know no JavaScript but I now feel quite comfortable also thanks to this book.
The book is written well, to the point and lists some important basics with appropriate examples. It doesn't spoon feed it to you but accompanies the learning process well. With it and a little google'ing, you are covered. I decided to keep it even after I'm done with the class and use it as a reference book for future work.

I recommend this book to anyone that is new to PHP programming that is experienced in other programming language. I found this book very easy to read. After reading it I purchased more specific books about PHP and Javascript. It is a good introduction to PHP programming if you already familiar with object oriented and database programing.

I am new to PHP and MySQL and this book got me up and running in a hurry. I thought the information was organized well and had a nice flow to it. As a reference I would say I was an intermediate ASP coder before starting to learn PHP with this book. I would highly recommend this book to a beginner!

First a little background so you can see where I'm coming from and if you are in a similar situation. I'm somewhere between a novice and an intermediate programmer. My programming experience has pretty much been all in very old Basic and even older, Fortran. My more "recent" experience has been MS Visual FoxPro and as far as FoxPro is concerned, I think I'm an intermediate level programmer. I guess that shows you how old I am too.

I have created my own simple web site using asp.net and now want to get a better handle on this for my company. After hearing about PHP and Mysql I figured I had to learn more about these languages. I needed a book that would introduce me to the languages yet advanced enough so that I could actually accomplish something worthwhile.

I have only gotten through chapter 4 so this is pretty premature. However, so far it is exactly what I was looking for. It is giving me the foundation I need, is very easy to understand and I believe will pull things together so I can actually create a decent application.

I'll try to update this as I get through more.

I have been invited to participate on a project which includes Creating Dynamic Website. My only option to acquire appropriate knowledge has been a self teaching undertaking. From a variety of books covering the subject, so far as I can see I picked the right one, the one I am writing about.

I received the book by post 16, January of this year and so far I have covered one quarter of the book, almost all first part about PHP coding. Although I am not a novice in coding and programming, all I can briefly say, was that I picked the right book for my problem. It is very neatly presented, leaving little doubt and confusion students might have when facing a new subject. I hope that the same quality of presentation will continue to the last page. My sincere thanks and prize to the author of the book for a job well done.

It's really hard to believe it covers php, mysql and javascript in such a small book. It describes and introduces these languages in a very clear way. The author's writing ability is amazing. I hope he can write more books like this to help people learn new programming language efficiently.

decent book. covers the basics of php, sql and javascript. goes into a great deal on security and logins, which is good. the author doesn't get too wordy, and sticks with covering the main points instead of ranting about nonsense like some other books i've read from oreilly. this alone gives it 5 stars as you can actually learn something from it besides being bored to death reading paragraph after paragraph about the author's grandmother and then trying to tie that into what the actual book is about... >_<

i got this book hoping it would be php focused, and cover the interactions of php and mysql/javascript. unfortunately, what it covers is the basics of php, sql and javascript, trying to teach you each on its own. having already known sql and javascript, i skipped a lot of this book. also there's some stuff on yui and html forms, which i find unnecessary. the templates section could have been longer... also, as a heads up, it just covers the sql language, instead of focusing on mysql specifics, which was a disappointment.

good if you want to learn all three, not good if you just want it for php...

I own this book and found it an extremely interesting read. We conduct PHP trainings and have referred this book as a textbook to our students. Its an easy read for our students also.

Niral Modi
TOPS Technologies
[...]

5 Stars... what can I say to quantify that rating? Great examples, builds logically, was a great resource for an "advanced beginner". Well edited and most of all the nebulous... I just understood what he was saying. Great communication skills. It is a learning resource not a cookbook, but I felt I came away much better prepared to use these topics than before, I find myself understanding more of the code(at least using javascript and PHP) than before. Great book thanks!

I am a programmer turned computer teacher. I have done a little PHP/MySQL in the past using Dreamweaver but I wanted to code by hand. I have bought many computer books, and this is one of the best I have read. It's the right size, goes into each topic just enough to give you something that works as well as something to build on.

I bought this item for a friend of mine based on his recommendation. So far, he loves it.

So far I agree with all the other 'positive' reviews. This book is a pleasure to read. After an easy setup, I found all the examples easy to use and comprehend.

Robin Nixon has a newer book out that I would recommend also, Plug-In PHP: 100 Power Solutions: Simple Solutions to Practical PHP Problems