Rating: 
Summary: Close...Need more.
Review: This book is my first delving into PHP from a Lasso based programming environment. Therefore, I'm not a newbie at HTML or the theories behind dynamic web pages.I found the language easy to read, concepts were relatively easy to grasp, and setting some stuff up was pretty simple. Connecting to a MySQL database was also not too bad, but the book simply doesn't go far enough. Finding how to navigate through a found set of records, including other files, or how to setup an "All Users" security type of scenario would be extremely helpful. Alas, they are nowhere to be found in this book. I want this writing style to explain everything that PHP has to offer! Trying to understand the geek-speak within the php.net website is almost impossible, which indicates just how well the author can explain these things so everyone can understand.
Rating: 
Summary: complete beginners only
Review: This book is a poor introduction to php / mysql. The way to programming proficiency is to understand small and simple scripts and use the lessons learnt to build your own programs. This book however gives pages of ready built scripts that take an age to work through and are too long to see easily (and I've built commercial sized php sites.) However, far worse than that is the omission of functions. It is simply impossible to ever progress at programming without understanding functions and this book doesn't even mention them. Get "PHP and MySQL Web Development -- by Luke Welling, Laura Thomson" instead. This is an excellent book, even if you are a beginner - it will give you a solid foundation in php and mysql as well as teach you sound programming techniques. Beginners may find it useful, but only on the understanding that you'll soon need another book.
Rating:
Summary: Good For VERY Beginners
Review: If you are experience in ANY programmig this is not for you... However if you are brand new to programming and to PHP this will walk you through the basics. Pluses:
Easy reading, easy to follow, simple theory, and multiple examples of the same thing with different changes. Minuses: Simple Theory, BAD logic in code.. there is no OOP and to many examples of the same thing. again i have to stress... this will walk you through the very basics of php/mysql.. if you already know ASP or another language get a more advanced book.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good for beginners
Review: I read the reviews of the Professional PHP Programming book, and noted a lot of people said there were typos in that book, even though it was very good otherwise. As a PHP novice, I cannot afford to muddle through a typo-ridden book. So I looked at Web Applications With PHP 4, and that book was so advanced that the *first* chapter is titled "Advanced PHP" -- no install guide or anything else. This book, PHP Essentials, is geared toward not only PHP newbies, but also people who have never programmed anything in any language. That's a little bit basic even for me, as I do at least know Perl and JavaScript. But it looked better that the first two books I tried, so I bought it. I don't regret buying it. It is written in such a simple, friendly manner, that I was able to breeze through the first half in about an hour. If you're good at HTML, and you're looking to get into programming, this may be just what you need. This book will teach you, in basic terms, how to create if-else statements, what the proper syntax is for PHP code, how it integrates into the HTML page, what variables are, how to capture form data and write it to a file or database, how to send email from a Web page, how to send HTTP headers (so you can set cookies and do redirects), and it will step you through building a shopping cart system. Now, if that were it, this book would be a five star book. However, being that I do have some programming background, and did have some idea of what PHP could do, let me tell you why I gave it four stars instead of five. First, there are some technical inaccuracies, such as the statement that Netscape 3+ supports style sheets (Netscape 3 has zero support, it's only Netscape 4+). But that's not bad. Second, nowhere does she address the "gasp, mixing HTML and code" programming debate. And finally, as another reviewer said, this book really is just the essentials, and I think it's not even that. Because there is a whopping omission: how to create a file that pulls in other files, like Server Side Includes. While the book covers how to open a file and read/write to it, the book never goes into detail about just linking in a file. This is important, because it's a fundamental feature. In fact, PHP has two commands for doing it, and neither one is mentioned, not even in the commands listed in the appendix. So, if you're new to PHP and new to programming in general, this is a good -- great -- introductory book. You could learn the basics of programming with this book, and put yourself into a better paying job! But if you have some programming background, or even some PHP background, this book isn't going to feel very thorough.
Rating: 
Summary: Incredibly, an enjoyable programming book
Review: I recently bought this book as a quick primer for an office project and i must say it was a refreshing read. Having spent the last 8 months learning javascript from various confusing and muddled sources, the intro to PHP here made me feel as if I'd bumped my head and web development suddenly crytallized! The instructions were clear, concise and nearly too well meaning. The code examples helped me to quickly apply my c knowledge and reinvigorate the otherwise dead office project for which I had purchased the book. The helpful appendix of essential functions was pretty much a bonus "pocket"-type reference. Also, the book opened my eyes to the power of MySQl and the ease with which PHP connects to it. I just finished a 8-week MCSD prep course, yet I didnt feel comfortable with SQL. This book went a long way toward making me feel at ease creating and manipulating with SQL. Looks like I wont be bothering to spend (waste) any more time trying to get my SQL Server 7.0 to operate reliably on a daily basis!
Rating: 
Summary: Only for beginners
Review: This book is useful if you are unexperienced with PHP and need to learn but not for go beyond. I found some sintax mistakes in the examples and the order of every chapter is not so logical, but anyway I think this is a book with good concepts for any PHP Programmer.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthless for any level of reader
Review: I got this book because not only was it on sale, but I had just been assigned a PHP project at work. Having read the book, though, I must say that it's the worst computer book I've ever come across. First, for someone who is already a programmer such as myself (having used C, Perl, Lisp, etc. for years) the book is much too basic. I don't like to see the same 10-line example repeated half a dozen times with only minor changes. At many points, the author basically tells the reader "do it this way and don't ask questions." I don't like that, especially when the author seems to have contradicted herself. As a programmer, I was also shocked by the inaccurate presentation of sprintf() and other functions - turning them into special purpose functions. There were many other things badly done as well. Also, the language reference in the appendix is pretty lame. Secondly, this book I believe would be bad for those beginning to program. Maybe if you think that you can whip out a webpage with PHP and get rich fast this book would be a good buy. But for all others - stay away! The book doesn't teach programming. Functions are not covered. Control structures are basically ignored. The presentation of variables is badly done. This is very bothersome to me indeed. Finally, the scope of this book. I thought this was a book on PHP. So why do I have to wade through: how to install Apache & other web servers, a pathetic HTML "refresher", a discussion on database "theory", an SQL lesson, etc.? Another chapter filled with incomplete coverage of the functions for connectivity to 7-8 different databases. Then a chapter that's source code for some bloated e-commerce example. All things considered, a worthless book. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or if you have lots of experience - please don't waste your time and money here.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best self help books I've ever seen!
Review: I'm the author of the best-selling guide to graduate school, so I know what I'm talking about when I rate a self-help book. Meloni's book is amazing! Clear, concise, everything a self-help book should be. After unsuccessful struggles with other PHP and MySQL books, which caused me to fear I would never learn, thank God I found "Fast and Easy Web Development." Within a day I was writing code and I worked through the entire book in 4 days. After that I never looked back. A year later I have created a highly complex, database intensive site that includes an onsite email system, shopping cart, and all the other staples of an e-commerce site. Make no mistake, her book is introductory, and I quickly moved on to Professional PHP and other more advanced books (I now own 9 PHP books and 4 MySQL books). Nonetheless, I would never have understood them were it not for Meloni. Her book is at just the right level for a beginner. The examples are clear, and nearly every time I was just thinking "but what about....", she answered my question. Even better, her examples were FUN to work through! Some of the other books I've got are valuable, but fun? I think not. I don't think the negative reviews of her book are fair. Her book is for beginners. So why are advanced programmers who found her book inadequate giving it 1 or 2 stars? That's like a medical doctor criticizing a book on first aid because it doesn't explain how to do heart surgery. People also bitched about typos in the book. But Meloni has a comprehensive listing of all typos on her web site at thickbook.com. So the first thing I did when I got her book was go to the site and correct the typos (there were actually very few). Also, when I was getting started, Meloni answered several emails I sent her to ask for help on problems when I was stuck. That's clearly above the call of duty. In short, if you're a beginning programmer, go with Meloni.
Rating:
Summary: I found this book very helpful...
Review: I am a PHP and programming newbie. I found this book to be a very solid and thorough introduction to PHP and database connectivity. Julie seems to focus on PHP and MySQL; but there are sections on using other databases. This book starts out with simple structure and goes into file management, databases, and session management. While not the most complex and detailed book, it gives the reader a primer on the basics and more advanced topics. From there, you will need to find a more advanced book on PHP. An excellent book! BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: anybody can follow this book
Review: if you have no confidence about breaking into programming and want a _lot_ of hand holding, this is the book for you.. but I thought I was that sort of person and even still got tired of the pointless repetition of stated procedure. i give it a 4 because you Will have a basic shopping cart built by the end of the book, along with some forms. the most important thing you'll learn is that accomplishing that is a lot simpler and easier than you had expected.
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