Beginning PHP4

This book is a complete tutorial in PHP's language features and functionality, beginning with the basics and building up to the design and construction of complex data-driven websites. Fully working examples in the book include a directory-style web search engine, a mailing list management system, a web based file editor, and a graphical online shopping mall guidebook.

Who is this book for?

Anybody who knows HTML can use this book. If you've done any programming, that will be useful, but it's not a requirement. You can run all of the code on either a Windows or UNIX (e.g. Linux) system, and the book explains how to set up a web server and database in both of these environments.

What does this book cover?

• Complete tutorial in the PHP language
  
• Installation guide and troubleshooting tips
  
• Introduction to relational databases and MySQL
  
• Practical worked examples throughout, including detailed case study
  
• All code written for both Windows and UNIX systems
  
• Detailed language reference included

• Chapter 1: Introduction to PHP
  
• Chapter 2: Writing PHP Programs
  
• Chapter 3: Getting data from the client
  
• Chapter 4: Decision making
  
• Chapter 5: Loops and Arrays
  
• Chapter 6: Organizing your code
  
• Chapter 7: Error Handling
  
• Chapter 8: Working With The Client
  
• Chapter 9: Complex Data
  
• Chapter 10: Handling Files
  
• Chapter 11: PHP Database Connectivity
  
• Chapter 12: Retrieving data from MySQL
  
• Chapter 13: Manipulating data in MySQL
  
• Chapter 14: XML
  
• Chapter 15: Email
  
• Chapter 16: Generating Graphics
  
• Chapter 17: Case Study
  
• A: Troubleshooting the Installation
  
• B: PostgreSQL
  
• C: ODBC
  
• D: Language Reference