[.ca] PHP for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart Guide (ISBN 0201727870)

From Amazon.co.uk:
PHP for the Word Wide Web is a well-presented introduction to this popular server-side scripting language. Aimed at beginners, the 14 chapters cover programming basics such as using variables, performing numeric calculations, creating user-defined functions and reading or writing to files. There are also chapters on HTML forms, databases, cookies and use of regular expressions. Like other books in the Visual Quickstart series, it uses wide margins and plentiful illustrations, although it has to be said that simple browser screens and code examples do not score highly on visual appeal. Even so, the combination of short, carefully explained topics, numbered steps and illustrations of the output makes for a clear, easy to follow tutorial. An appendix covers installation on both Linux and Windows. This is a slim title, and does not pretend to cover advanced use of PHP. The database coverage, in just one short chapter, is particularly thin. If you already have a little programming knowledge, you might prefer one of the more detailed PHP books, such as , from Wrox, or Leon Atkinson's Core PHP Programming. On the other hand, those looking for a keenly priced guide to PHP fundamentals will find PHP for the World Wide Web an ideal starting point. --Tim Anderson

This guide to PHP is a great intro -- PLUS online discussion:
Larry Ullman provides a clear and excellent intro to PHP in this 2nd edition. I am a beginnning programmer and I have found this to be not only a really clear introduction, but also a reference manual as I go along. Plus, the author has created an online discussion forum that is actually active and works. From my somewhat thorough review, this is the best intro PHP book out there! Joshua Ogden Little Bags http://www.ogdenlittle.com

Clear Presentation:
This is the third PHP book I read and covers PHP versions 4 and 5. I worked through all its examples without any problems. Somebody reviewing it said there were errors, but I did not find them using PHP V4.3.2. Following the examples were a lot easier than in other computer books, like Visual Basic 6 by Petroutsos, which I had to abandon three years ago for lack of error-free exercises. The VQS format appears to waste a lot of space, but it has its advantages. There is never any doubt what the script has to be, because it is repeated in its entirety even when only a few lines change. Some books cut this short, and give frugal explanation for what the clear script should be. In the end, one often wastes time in such cases. I have the PHP Manual on my hard disk, and consulting it aids in extending the applications on hand. Once I learned the examples in the book, I was able to extend the scripts, make them more versatile and produce more attractive displays. I started out stating it is my third book on PHP, and reading this book serves as an in-depth review. This book clarified some of the features I thought I learned before. This does not imply that one must have used other PHP books previously. It is an excellent first book on PHP. Of course, one should know some HTML before using this book. Because of the VQS format I would like to rate this four and a half stars, even though the format improves on clarity. Even with this view, the book deserves five-stars.

wait for 2nd edition due 1/2004:
just a quick addition to my review. i noticed that the badly needed 2nd edition i said was needed is indeed coming out in january of 2004. do yourself a favor and wait for it if you can.

grrrrrrrrreat!:
This book is great for those new to PHP. I came in with only a little knowledge of HTML, and came out with the basics of PHP + better HTML skills. If you want to learn PHP's basics fast before you use a more complex book, this should be your choice. Its cheap, and a great learning utility along with reference. I recommend it for everyone who wants to learn PHP with close to no knowledge of any other languages.

Good but could have been better:
I am familar with Perl and shell scripting but decided to purchase this since I had no familiarity with PHP. The book is too simplistic if you currently know the basics of programming such as loops, if/else, how to assign variables and the like. So if you can write a Perl script or a shell script of medium complexity I would skip this book and look for something more advanced. In addition to this, it is pretty obvious that this book was written for PHP version 3 and then a few paragraphs added to say it is version 4 compliant. I would say they need a new edition of this book to really say it covers version 4. The most annoying and obvious example of this is how values are passed from a form to a PHP script. There is a major change between version 3 and 4 and the book only uses version 3 examples. If you go to the author's web site there is an errata section that tells you how to do it in version 4. The problem is, since you are just learning PHP, you will probably spend a good 30 minutes thinking you are screwing up somehow before you realize the book is wrong. Then after you figure it out you have to constantly do things a different way throughout the entire book and it is not always straight forward. 2 years ago this book would probably be a solid 4 stars perhaps even 5. Now in late 2003 going on 2004 it is outdated and riddled with known errors. It is in dire need of a new edition to bring it up to date. If you have very little experience with scripting/programming, don't mind checking a website a couple times each chapter for errors, and are strapped on cash, this book is not so bad. Otherwise I would recommend you look elsewhere.