The combination of PHP and MySQL is the most convenient approach to dynamic,
database-driven web design, holding its own in the face of challenges from integrated
frameworks—such as Ruby on Rails—that are harder to learn. Due to its open source
roots (unlike the competing Microsoft .NET framework), it is free to implement and is
therefore an extremely popular option for web development.
Any would-be developer on a Unix/Linux or even a Windows/Apache platform will
need to master these technologies. At the same time, JavaScript is important, as it provides
in-browser dynamic functionality and, through Ajax, hidden communication
with the web server to create seamless interfaces. In conjunction with CSS, these technologies
integrate to provide a formidable array of powerful web-development tools.
If you're familiar with HTML, using the information in Learning PHP, MySQL, JavaScript and CSS, you will quickly learn how to build interactive, data-driven websites with the powerful combination of PHP, MySQL, JavaScript and CSS - the top technologies for creating modern sites. This hands-on guide explains each technology separately, shows you how to combine them, and introduces valuable web programming concepts such as objects, XHTML, cookies, and session management.
Carefully paced for non-programmers, this second edition of the top-selling guide to web development now also provides an extensive introduction to CSS, and benefits from reader questions and suggestions about the first edition, making the new edition even easier to follow and more information-packed than ever.
Plus, to ensure your have understood all the main points, you'll practice what you've learned with review questions at the end of each chapter, and there's even a sample social networking platform built with the elements introduced in this book.
Learning PHP, MySQL, JavaScript and CSS will enable you to:
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Understand PHP up to an intermediate level, including the basics of object-oriented programming
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Master MySQL, from database structure to complex queries
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Create web pages with PHP and MySQL by integrating forms and other HTML features
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Learn about JavaScript, from functions and event handling to accessing the Document Object Model
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Pick up the basics of CSS (and CSS3) and learn how to use it to create compelling and dynamic web pages.
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Find out how to manipulate CSS properties directly from JavaScript
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Make Ajax calls and turn your website into a highly interactive environment
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Upload and manipulate files and images, validate user input, and secure your applications
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Bring all these technologies together to create a social networking site