Learning PHP

[tm2383]

I have a copy of the Developer's Library book PHP and MySQL Web Development. It teaches PHP 5.3 and MySQL 5.1. It is an extensive book of almost 1000 pages. I know that PHP is now at 5.5, but is this still good enough to learn the basics or are there major differences? 

 

Thanks.

 

 

[mentalist]

Probably... but since its only 1000 pages I wouldn't be so sure, you may need a few more books too!

 

If something isn't working then first check the manual: http://php.net/manual/en

But most stuff develops logically and have been around for a long time, its generally only advanced stuff that changes... or added...

[Jacques1]

There are no major differences between PHP 5.3 and PHP 5.5. The problem is that many books which are supposedly written for some ealier PHP version don't even cover best practices of that time. They're usually many years behind and teach you the techniques of the late 90s.

 

I fear this book is no exception. When I go through the preview, I see table layouts, bgcolor and ereg_replace(). This is not 2009, this is 1999.

 

That doesn't necessarily mean the whole book is garbage. If they at least explain the basics properly, maybe it's worth the effort of unlearning all the old stuff at the end. But if they don't even get that right, then I'd rather look for a more up-to-date resource.

[tm2383]

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.