Programming PHP, 2nd Edition

This authoritative guide to PHP 5, crafted by the creator of PHP and other experts, is essential for anyone looking to master the scripting language that powers over 19 million websites. PHP's popularity surpasses that of Microsoft's ASP .NET, appealing to programmers for its flexibility and speed, while designers appreciate its accessibility. The book covers all essentials clearly and concisely, pairing language syntax and programming techniques with numerous examples that demonstrate both correct usage and common idioms. It aims to elevate readers from novice to proficient PHP programmers. Key topics include the basics of PHP, such as data types, variables, operators, and flow control statements, as well as functions, strings, arrays, and objects. The book also addresses common web application techniques like form processing, session tracking, and cookies. It offers guidance on interacting with databases like MySQL and Oracle using PEAR DB and PDO libraries. Advanced topics include generating dynamic images, creating PDF files, parsing XML, secure scripting, error handling, performance tuning, and writing C language extensions for PHP. Additionally, it features a quick reference for core functions and standard extensions. Praised for its clarity and practical advice, this guide is ideal for both newcomers and those transitioning from other web technologies.