Customer comments on this selection.
 PHP & MYSQL FOR DUMMIES 3RD EDITION
I think this is a very good book to get if you want to learn how to make your website work with databases, (eg: make your website have a password system on it, or a cataloge of products.) Also I think PHP and MYSQL are the best ones to learn.
This book tells you exactly how to set up Apache, Mysql and PHP environment. It uses all the latest up to date PHP. I would say this is the book to get if you want to be able to create Web Database Applications and be a Web Developer.
On My Feet
This book really got me on my feet. I had never programmed with server side languages before and this book taught me everything I needed to know. Now, I'm a professional web developer and I make pretty good money.
Excellent Resource - Bought it Twice!
The title of this review says it all. I bought my first copy of this book in 2001 and when I lent it to a friend, I couldn't wait to get it back so I bought another copy. Although not for the novice (despite the name) this is a good resource for people who are not professional programmers. To get the maximum benefit from this book, you need a basic knowledge of programming in general, but with that capability you can follow the text to get where you want to go.
There are some good examples of how to use the concepts covered in the book, and the information can be used in order, or by need (the author even tells you that the book is designed this way).
From this text, I was able to build my first web application, just the way I wanted it and this is just a hobby for me. Highly recommended.
Great starter book...
I liked this book and it's great for starters. The book had minimal errors. You learn how to program complete projects. When you're done with the projects, you are off to the races coding your own projects. I e-mailed the author and recieved a reply! The author cares about her work and it shows in this book. Happy coding and welcome to the PHP world never to look back...
 Monkey see, monkey lost
I've read many Dummies books, and like the "Monkey read, Monkey see, Monkey do" approach. This monkey learns better when all the steps are clearly shown and executed in the text. Unfortunately, this book is more like "Monkey read, Monkey lost". For example, Chapter 4, "Building a Database". The author describes 2 sample databases then discusses the various operations (queries) that can be performed on the databases without detailed, step by step instructions along the way. With some trial and error, the steps can be deduced, but this can be very frustrating and may not always work.
p.s.: Janet Valade has written several beginner books on PHP/MySQL. Maybe, eventually, she will get it right. She is so close...
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