PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide

Thanks for your interest in this book. Just to be clear, as of October 2011, this book, the fourth edition, is the most current version of my popular "PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide" book. This edition is more current than "PHP 6 and MySQL 5 for Dynamic Web Sites" (to make a long story short, PHP6 was in beta when I wrote that edition, and then PHP6 failed to happen, with most of its changes ending up in PHP5.3 and 5.4). The entire contents of this edition of the book were updated to correspond to version 5.3 of PHP and version 5.5 of MySQL. Approximately 50% of the material requires version 5 or later of PHP, mostly because the book only uses the Improved MySQL functions, added in PHP 5 and MySQL 4.1. Another 10% or so of the material requires version 5.3 of PHP, although in those instances, I do provide alternative code for earlier versions of the language.In terms of what's new, there are three entirely new chapters. Chapter 6: Database Design takes some material out of a couple of chapters in the previous edition, breaks it down into smaller steps, and creates a more cohesive discussion of every key facet of database design. Chapter 15: Introducing jQuery is entirely new, introducing JavaScript and the jQuery framework. The examples include form validation, event handling, and Ajax. Chapter 16: An OOP Primer is also entirely new, discussing the basics of object-oriented programming in PHP. The focus is really on basic ideas and syntax, using existing classes (OOP design and theory requires too many pages to fit into this book).In terms of revised content, every chapter now ends with a "Review and Pursue" section which asks questions that stress key points and provides prompts for how you can expand upon the information you just learned. A few chapters use new examples, mostly because I was bored with the existing ones. Chapter 7: Advanced SQL and MySQL has expanded coverage of JOINs, a new section on advanced selections, and more. In fact, updating and expanding the MySQL and SQL content was a key change in this edition. Chapter 11: Web Application Development is heavily rewritten, putting more emphasis on the use of JavaScript in the example application partially developed in that chapter. Chapter 13: Security Methods has two new security examples: using the Filter extension and validating file uploads by type. Finally, Appendix A: Installation has a new section on Apache server configuration. To save space, the Appendix is being made available for free online from the book's publisher, Peachpit Press.To address another common question, I consider this book to be more advanced than my "PHP for the Web: Visual QuickStart Guide". Both books cover some of the same material, but this book is for those with some previous programming experience, or those that are good at learning independently. In short, this book goes at a quicker pace and covers a lot more material. If you want something that is more deliberate, but not as big in scope, I would recommend the "PHP for the Web: Visual QuickStart Guide" instead.Finally, you can download all the scripts from my Web site. I also run a support forum where you can ask questions and get help. Secondary and supporting articles are also published on my Web site, and at the publisher's site. Thanks again for the interest in the book!