5 thoughts on “Learning PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Dynamic Websites”

1. Let me start out by saying that I originally gave this 4 stars because it doesn’t explain concepts for new developers to php. The books assumes that you have computer programming knowledge even though it states you don’t have to in the description, which luckily I have programming experience so I could understand the concepts but just gave a warning to new developers with no programming experience in my first review. I had to then take it down to 1 star because the book has no logical order in which it teaches you the concepts, gives examples and gives answers or follow-ups. Example: the book would show you an example of the concept(an actual hard code example), then explain the concepts, then tell you what happens when the code runs. Because of this style/order(or lack of it) it makes it hard to learn. There is useful information in this book but you can find far better books out there that have some form of logic and order to the construction of the material. I really have no idea how this book made it past his editor and publication company because O’Reily usually has great books. Do yourself a favor and save a lot of headaches and try a different book. I usually don’t write negative reviews(you can look in my review history) but this book is COMPLETELY nonsensical and has no logical order.
   Rating: 1 / 5

2. I’ve only gotten through the first two and a half chapters, but so far it’s a great introduction to the web technologies necessary to make a Web 2.0 site. The author has a great writing style for this kind of book–he is engaging and knowledgeable, while not speaking down at you too much.

   No programming knowledge is required, and the book does discuss basic concepts like variables, arrays, etc. But it does look like that is all covered in the first few chapters and that by the end you can create working, powerful websites.

   And when you’re done with this book, the author himself gives you a list of what books to go onto when you want to learn more about any of the technologies covered.

   Overall, a great book so far and a fine addition to the stellar O’Reilly series!
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. decent book. covers the basics of php, sql and javascript. goes into a great deal on security and logins, which is good. the author doesn’t get too wordy, and sticks with covering the main points instead of ranting about nonsense like some other books i’ve read from oreilly. this alone gives it 5 stars as you can actually learn something from it besides being bored to death reading paragraph after paragraph about the author’s grandmother and then trying to tie that into what the actual book is about… >_<

   i got this book hoping it would be php focused, and cover the interactions of php and mysql/javascript. unfortunately, what it covers is the basics of php, sql and javascript, trying to teach you each on its own. having already known sql and javascript, i skipped a lot of this book. also there’s some stuff on yui and html forms, which i find unnecessary. the templates section could have been longer… also, as a heads up, it just covers the sql language, instead of focusing on mysql specifics, which was a disappointment.

   good if you want to learn all three, not good if you just want it for php…
   Rating: 4 / 5

4. I’m a beginner at php, MySQL and javascript, but reading through this book and doing the examples simultaneously made learning fast and easy. The writing style is easy to understand and topics are repeated enough to refresh your memory through the chapters. I strongly recommend this book!
   Rating: 5 / 5

5. I own this book and found it an extremely interesting read. We conduct PHP trainings and have referred this book as a textbook to our students. Its an easy read for our students also.

   Niral Modi
   
   TOPS Technologies
   
   [...]
   Rating: 4 / 5