PHP 4: A Beginner's Guide

Get up and running quickly with PHP 4 using this introductory resource

Use this book to learn the basics of working PHP 4 -- one of todays most popular, cross-platform open-source scripting languages. Youll start out by creating basic PHP programs and move toward more advanced topics such as writing conditional statements, using strings, creating functions, inputting arrays, and more. Follow along with sample programs as they progress in complexity, so you wont miss a step along the way. In no time, youll be able to use PHP as a Web development tool for e-commerce and intranet applications or for handling other tasks including network management and database administration. Informative and remarkably easy-to-follow, this instructive guide will help you master this powerful and reliable scripting language.

This Beginners Guide is Designed for Easy Learning:

• Modules -- Each concept is divided into logical modules (chapters), ideal for individualized learning
  
• Goals -- Each module opens with the specific skills youll have by the end of the module
  
• Ask the Experts -- Q;A sections throughout are filled with extra information and interesting commentary
  
• 1-Minute Drills -- Quick self-assessment sections to check your progress
  
• Annotated Syntax -- Example code annotated with commentary that points to the particular technique illustrated
  
• Projects -- Exercises contained in each module show how to apply what you are learning
  
• Mastery Checks -- End-of-module reviews that test your knowledge using short-answer, multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and simple coding questions
  

Contents          

   PART 1 Writing Basic PHP Programs
    1 Creating PHP Programs
    2 PHP Building Blocks
    3 Creating HTML Forms
    4 Accessing Data
    5 Working with Scalar Values
   PART 2 Writing More Advanced PHP Programs
    6 Writing Conditional Statements
    7 Using Functions
    8 Using Arrays
    9 Using Strings
   PART 3 Working with Stored Data
    10 Using Cookies
    11 Working with Files and Directories
    12 Sending and Receiving E-mail
    13 Relational Database and SQL Primer
   PART 4 Using Advanced PHP Facilities
    14 Accessing Relational Databases
    15 Using Classes and Objects
    16 Using Application Templates
    17 Debugging PHP Scripts
   PART V Appendixes
    A Answers to Mastery Checks
    B Installing PHP
    C PHP Resources
    D Unix Essentials
    E Escapes
    F ASCII
    G PHP Operators
    H Security
    I PHP Functions