Good Programming and Web Design Books

[theverychap 0]

Hi,

 

I recived a pm today from a fellow phpfreaker regarding php books, i replied with the following, it may be of help to php peeps that are looking for a good book but are unsure of what to buy...

 

Hi,

this is in regard the thread titled PHP Magazines, Any Available?.

 

Do you mind typing your list of books out if it's not a problem?

Thanks

 

Housni Yakoob

 

Hi mate,

 

no problem, heres my current list of books:

 

1. Sams teach yourself php in 24 hours (excellent book with some fundamental things we need to know, taught me a lot and i still occasionally look at it now).

 

2. peachpit press, 'php and mysql' quickstart guide (not as good as the others, they use old syntax etc)

 

3. sams php and mysql web development (this IS what i classed as my bible, its on its third edition now, id strongly recommend this book, absolutely great, taught me an awful lot of what i know today)

 

4. developers library advanced php programming (this book is quite hardcore, not too many php examples etc but has a wealth of information avout design patterns etc, 'a practical guide to developing large scale php applications' - damn good read!)

 

5. sybex (php freaks' eric rosebrocks book) 'creating interactive websites with php and web services' (i brought this solely because it was erics first book, to be honest its not the best book i have, but has some great chapters, plus a lot of it is familiar beacuse i have been a phpfreak for a few years now..)no disrespect to Eric what-so-ever!

 

6. oreilly php pocket reference - nice little 'pocket sized' (!) book outlining all f the php functions etc - nothiing that cant be found on the net but for £7 its a must have, i keep it in my laptop bag (along with apache pocket ref and mysql pocket ref - good books)

 

I also ohave loads of other books, namely html, xhtml, javascript, dhtml, css & css2, css programers guide, linux in a nutshell, flash 5 and mx (i dont use flash anymore though)

 

I would recommend sams or oreilly, you can guarantee a quality book from them. 99% of the books i have are by these guys and 95% of them are excellent books. stay away from the 'visual quickstart guides' (peachpit press) - it seems they write books a few years behind everyone else!

 

hope thats enough info for you mate,

 

take care,

 

Stuart / theverychap.

[redbullmarky 2]

i like to add 'PHP and MySQL Web Development' by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson to the list of recommendations.

It's not lame, neither is it hardcore, but it teaches you things from simple 'Hello World' scripts right through to developing content management systems, email programs, etc.

It's pretty much written in 'English' speak too, not programmers speak, so people of all levels will easily find it useful.

[Koobi 0]

Excellent. Thanks for replying to my PM

I bought the second edition of the PHP bible about a year back. It helped me a bit but I don't like it. I feel it's too vague.

I also own the XML bible and Administering Apache by Mark Arnold (it was a gift) and a bunch of Flash books which I don't use because I also stopped working with Flash over a year ago.

 

I've decided to purchase these two books:

1. sams php and mysql web development

2. developers library advanced php programming

 

The second one would be quite useful for me. I'm looking for something like that, that has information and design patterns and methods of programming and things like that. I'm actually looking for a guide to modular based programming.

 

I found this link via the signature of a mod on this forum and I found it useful if anyone is interested:

The Art of Unix Programming.

 

I've also been searching for resources on the web for information on Kernel Architecture in general. My aim being, I want to learn good programming practices/concepts when it comes to building a module based, PHP written engine for anything from a CMS system to a simple website. I'm really learning a lot from the Apache architecture for that sort of thing.

 

I browsed your site a bit...so you're into XML as well?

I was experimenting with WDDX a while back and it popped into my mind again the other day. Have you tried it? If so, have you come accross any unusual uses for it apart from the general uses?

 

 

 

 

 

If anyone can recommend any good books or online resources (preferred), then please do

Much appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

Bane, (Koobi, Housni Yakoob)

[Ephialtes 0]

I found quite a useful one in PCWorld called PHP and MySQL for Dummies, by Janet Valade. Its a very good book. I think it focuses on working with mysql and php together, it doesnt teach you the basics. But the good thing is you can get some of their examples and scripts from a cd at the back of the book, which is a nice feature. It mainly focuses on making login scripts and that kind of thing, but it is a good book.

[philster 0]

i purchased, sams teach yourself php in 24 hours latest edition, sams php, mysql, and apache all in one, and php and mysql for dummies. hopefully i will learn more then i allready know, and cannot wait till they get here

[theverychap 0]

i like to add 'PHP and MySQL Web Development' by Luke Welling and Laura Thomson to the list of recommendations.

It's not lame, neither is it hardcore, but it teaches you things from simple 'Hello World' scripts right through to developing content management systems, email programs, etc.

It's pretty much written in 'English' speak too, not programmers speak, so people of all levels will easily find it useful.

233652[/snapback]

 

@rebullmarky - that was at no. 3 in my list m8 - excellent book i think

 

@bane: no probs m8 - the two books you say you are going to buy are great choices, the sams php and mysql web development book is on its 3rd edition now, make sure you get the latest ed. as some of the code in my v1 book is verydated now...

 

cheers for now. tvc.

[varungr 0]

hi,

somewhere i came across a book "PHP Black Book" . I think its by wrox. anyone tried it? i sometimes do think of bying a bok on fairly advanced php programming. any suggestions?

[steelmanronald06 1]

Since people always ask for books to help with php/mysql, i am going to pin this so everyone wil see it and no one will have to keep asking the same question. So just add the books to the list that you think are good.

[theverychap 0]

Quoting czambran from post: http://www.phpfreaks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=51603

 

"

I recently decided that It was time for me to learn the OO capabilities of php and I bought this book:"PHP5 Power Programming" which waas co-authored by the co-creator of the php and zend engine. I highly recommend the book.

"

 

I think this is the next book i'm buying too

 

 

Steelman: good idea to pin this topic, i'm hoping it will help us all.

[czambran 0]

During my weekend visit to B&N I found this book which looks awesome.

 

TVC, u can get the electronic copy of the book for free. I discover that too late. I will post the link as soon as I get into my office.

[czambran 0]

Here is the link

[theverychap 0]

Here is the link

236699[/snapback]

 

 

Excellent, thanks man

 

 

EDIT: (20 minutes later)

 

looks like a great OOP resource - maybe i'll finally understand OOP properly!

[effigy 0]

i found a good chunk of the o'reilly suite on-line... i didn't see any php, but there is html, css, js, apache, and mysql.

 

http://www.unix.org.ua/orelly/

[czambran 0]

The book is fantastic, and it gives a good introduction to PEAR.

Excellent, thanks man

EDIT: (20 minutes later)

 

looks like a great OOP resource - maybe i'll finally understand OOP properly!

236713[/snapback]

 

[beidlerj 0]

How about PHP-GTK books? The only one that turns up on Amazon/Borders is written in Portugese... there must be some more out there somewhere! I've had a hard time even finding many (good) tutorials on the web, other than your standard "Hello, World!"

[Arenium 0]

While I'm normally against the standard piece of PHP literature. this new book seems like a must-read for the advanced crowd.

[koen 0]

Do any of the books recommended here teach me about security issues also?

[frustrated 0]

PHP 5 Objects, Patterns, and Practice by Matt Zandstra. I like this book.

[yarnold 0]

In my collection I've recently added;

 

Essential PHP Security Chris Shiflett

PHP 5 Objects, Patterns and Practice Matt Zandstra

Advanced PHP Programming George Scholossnagle

 

All recommended

 

[Jocka 0]

ok i read it *ober*. I read it before i made the thread. but since it was closed, i suppose I'll just ask again here as I didn't see an answer.

 

What is a good book for me to read to learn more about advanced PHP topics? Topics not covered in MOST php books like IMAP functions and such.

 

[Learner 0]

Hello Guys -

My First Post To PHPFreaks!

 

I was reading this thread and find it very useful for anybody whose going to start learning PHP.

 

I am a Flash and 3d related guy - But I am really very interested in learning PHP and using that in making dynamic sites and many type of online works.

 

I have not even a single idea about the language just read some first lessons of w3schools and I am ready to start learning PHP.

 

Where should I start and what should I do - many more questions in my mind and I hope you can understand that newbie's ques and answer me in detail.

 

Thanks Again,

Addies.

[Chetan 0]

I started with PHP in easy steps (good for a newbie)

and then now i use

PHP cook book to get to know things i dont already know like some libraries and stuff

[rcharris 0]

Any Larry Ullman book does the trick for me

 

-R

[ataria 0]

I just bought...  Sams Teach Yourself - PHP, MySQL, and, Apache.

I think it's good so far.

[kksou 0]

How about PHP-GTK books?  The only one that turns up on Amazon/Borders is written in Portugese...  there must be some more out there somewhere!  I've had a hard time even finding many (good) tutorials on the web, other than your standard "Hello, World!"

 

Scott Mattocks has written a great book on PHP-GTK: Pro PHP-GTK. It's in English.

 

If you are loooking for tutorials and sample codes on PHP-GTK, here are two:

• Ron Tarrant's Blog on PHP-GTK
  
• PHP-GTK2 Cookbooks