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Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL® and Apache All in One

 

Fourth Edition

 

Julie C. Meloni

 

Starter Kit

CD-ROM includes a complete starter kit for Windows®, Linux®, and Mac® OS X

 

In just a short time, you can learn how to use PHP, MySQL, and Apache together to create dynamic, interactive websites and applications using the three leading open-source web development technologies.

 

Using a straightforward, step-by-step approach, each lesson in this book builds on the previous ones, enabling you to learn the essentials of PHP scripting, MySQL databases, and the Apache web server from the ground up.

 

Regardless of whether you run Linux, Windows, or Mac OS X, the enclosed CD includes a complete starter kit that lets you install all the software you need to set up a stable environment for learning, testing, and production.

 

Learn how to?

• Install, configure, and set up the PHP scripting language, the MySQL database system, and the Apache Web server
• Get these technologies to work together to create a dynamic, database-backed website
• Interact with MySQL using PHP
• Work with forms and files
• Create a web-based discussion forum or mailing list
• Add a storefront and shopping cart to your site
• Optimize your MySQL databases
• Fine-tune the Apache server?s performance
• Restrict access to your applications
• Set up a secure web server

 

Julie C. Meloni is the technical director for i2i Interactive, a multimedia company located in Los Altos, California. She has been developing web-based applications since the early days of the web, and is the author of several books and articles on web-based programming languages and database topics, including Sams Teach Yourself MySQL in 24 Hours.

 

CD-ROM Includes

• A complete PHP, MySQL, and Apache starter kit for Windows®, Linux®, or Mac® OS X.

 

Category: Web Development

Covers: PHP 5.2, MySQL 5, Apache 2.2

User Level: Beginning

 

Three popular Web development tools, covered together in an easy-to-understand book. Carefully steps the reader through the basic installation and set-up of PHP, MySQL, and Apache. Shows the beginner how to combine these technologies to quickly create simple interactive Web applications. CD-ROM Starter Kit allows the reader to easily install a safe, foolproof learning environment for either a Windows- or Linux-based PC. Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL, and Apache in 24 Hours combines coverage of these three popular open-source Web development tools into one easy-to-understand book -- and it comes packaged with one easy-to-use Starter Kit CD for Windows or Linux. The book teaches the reader to install, configure and set up the PHP scripting language, the MySQL database system, and the Apache Web server. By the end of this book the reader will understand how these technologies work, and--more importantly-- how they can work together to create a dynamic Web site. After creating a simple Web site using these tools, the reader will be able to manage a simple mailing list, and to create an online address book, shopping cart, and storefront. The book also teaches the reader how to fine tune Apache and MySQL, and covers simple Web server security. Julie Meloni is the technical director for i2i Interactive, a multimedia company located in Campbell, CA. She has been developing Web-based applications since the early days of the Web, and is the author of several books and articles on Web-based programming languages and database topics, such as Sams Teach Yourself MySQL in 24 Hours.

Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL, and Apache in 24 Hours combines coverage of these three popular open-source Web development tools into one easy-to-understand book -- and it comes with one easy-to-use Starter Kit CD-ROM for Windows or Linux.

The book teaches the reader to install, configure and set up the PHP scripting language, the MySQL database system, and the Apache Web server.

By the end of this book the reader will understand how these technologies work, and -- more importantly -- how they can work together to create a dynamic Web site.

After creating a simple Web site using these tools, the reader will be able to manage a simple mailing list, and to create an online address book, shopping cart, and storefront.

The book also teaches the reader how to fine tune Apache and MySQL, and covers simple Web server security.

You own your own business. You have also created a website for your business that details the products or services that you offer, but it doesn’t allow potential customers to purchase anything online. Don’t risk losing business-learn to create a dynamic online environment using only three programs. PHP, MySQL and Apache are three popular open-source tools that can work together to help you create a dynamic website, such as an online shopping experience. Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL and Apache All in One is a complete reference manual for all three development tools. Learn how they work individually and more importantly, how they work together to create your dynamic website. Use the book and the included CD to create a simple website, as well as a mailing list, online address book, shopping cart and storefront. Open your website to limitless possibilities with Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL and Apache All in One.

A new edition of the best selling book that covers three popular open-source tools in one complete Starter Kit package. Revised and updated to reflect major changes in new versions of PHP, MySQL, and PHP 5. Carefully steps the reader through the basic set up of PHP, MySQL, and Apache, and shows how to combine these technologies to quickly create simple interactive Web applications. CD-ROM allows the reader to install a safe, foolproof learning environment for either a Windows or Linux-based PC.

Problem with mysqli
I like this book overall but with one major caveat. The versions of PHP and Mysql included on the cd-rom do not work together. Specifically, the version of PHP included on the CD-ROM does not include support for the mysqli family of commands. The book gives short shrift to any problems the user might have in this area. If you can’t get mysqli to work, you can’t run any of the code in the second half of the book. I figured out how to create an ODBC to a mysql database in php using the ODBC commands instead, but I would like to be able to use mysqli.

A starter kit perfect for learning, testing, and producing results
Learn how to use PHP, MySQL and Apache together to create fine interactive web sites using a step-by-step lesson plan perfect for supplementing classroom studies, or for individual learning with Julie C. Meloni’s SAMS Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL and Apache All in One. From installing the PHP scripting language and the MySQL database system to creating dynamic interactions between these programs, a cd for Mac, Linux or Windows offers up a starter kit perfect for learning, testing, and producing results.

good buy for beginners
this a good book for people with very little PHP, MySQL and Apache knowledge. some of the things about apache configuration file is not very clear. other than that it is excellent.

Solid addition to my book collection
This is a solid book if your looking for information on the relationship between Apache, MySQL, and PHP. This is not a beginner’s book, nor is it advanced. Rather its purpose is to explain how these three components work together, the combination of which is if not the most popular then close to the most popular basic framework used on the web. For example, all Wordpress blogs are based on the PHP, MySQL, and Apache setup. Plus, all three are free and can be easily setup on your own computer for development purposes.

If you’re looking for a singular focus on one or two of the three, then you’ll be disappointed. If you do not have any or very little experience with the web, then go buy a "for dummies" or an explicitly labeled "Beginners" book.

If you want to gain a solid knowledge on the Apache, MySQL, PHP framework, this book provides an excellent explanation with sufficient in-depth focus on each and how they relate to one another.

Simple, Detailed, Illustrative
"PHP, MySQL and Apache All in One" is a good way to begin learning those technologies. It is simple enough and has lots of visual examples, code examples, tables, figures, etc to break down bigger concepts into manageable ones. Also, its an easy read. I normally don’t rate anything perfectly, but I couldn’t think of any reason why I wouldn’t give it 5 stars. I must add though that I may be biased since I wasn’t a beginner to PHP or MySQL and used this textbook for a grad course.

php, php, and php
As a reasonably experienced Windows webmaster, this book was a waste of my money. The first 4 chapters (the installs and configs) were why I bought it (I already have a better php book). The small amount of space dedicated to troubleshooting installs is pretty much worthless. The author refers us to the web every time anything goes wrong. Thanks! 8^)

It IS a reasonable primer for those brand new to coding techniques, but do not assume that you will learn how to install and configure the web server and database, nor anything about their interoperability through this book. My title is more accurate...

Trouble at first then smooth sailing
Like some others who left reviews, I’m a complete beginner to coding, php, mysql, and apache. Given that, I found the installation utterly confusing and spent three days unable to get past chapter 4 where the real content is. A tip for others like me, skip the manual installation. The author cautions about using pre-configured instances of the software, but I found WAMP5 to be a life saver. It’s pre-configured and comes in an MSI file. However, as much as I hate to admit it, the struggles I faced in trying to follow the instructions did teach me a lot about the basic configuration, even if that wasn’t the author’s intent. Since then, I’ve found the content to be good and am gaining a fundamental understanding of the tools. I know this won’t be the end-all php, apache, mysql bible, but it’s a good place to start.

An advanced book & not for beginners
I am stuck on chapters three and four and can not continue with this book. I could not get Apache to work with PHP. In the "Troubleshooting" section of the book on page 58 the solution to getting Apache to work is this: To solve this problem, you need to stop the running server or change the Apache configuration to listen on a different port. Well, if you know how to do this, buy the book. If you don’t, you are forever suck and can’t continue with the rest of the book. I tried to change the ports and address as suggested in the book, but it didn’t work. Be sure to read "Who Should Read This Book" in the introduction section of the book. I probably don’t have the required experience to work the material in this book.

Decent if you’re patient
This is good for those who have incredible amounts of patience and like solving problems. The setup alone took at least three hours and a lot of searching on Google. Many important steps are left out (such as how to add and use a database from the MySQL command line, how to configure PHP to support mysqli, and how to configure Apache properly to support PHP.) The PHP functions used in this book are the mysqli_* family and require special setup in the php.ini file. There are no instructions however to set this up. Without this you can’t write any SQL programs.

There are also numerous typos in the code. It’s obvious that none of the code in this book is actually tested to see if it works. There are simple things such as variable name inconsistencies and function typos that throw off the whole script. When you’re new to a progamming language these aren’t easy to spot.

Overall, however, there is still plenty you can take from this book. If you have the patience the problem solving will probably cement the concepts more solidly in your brain because you will be figuring them out for yourself.

Not helpful
One of the worst "beginner" books I’ve read for computer programming. The book frequently directs the reader to external web pages for critical tasks... and I’m thinking, "Gee. I bought the book to walk me through this". The code is poorly explained. The examples frequently didn’t work. Steps are omitted.

If you want to split your time between a book and online searches for manuals... this book is for you. If you want to get your $35 worth of a book and expect to have it be enough (not the end all, be all, but enough) of a beginning... go elsewhere.

Sams Teach Yourself PHP,MySQL and Apache All in One
I bought this book for my husband and here is his review.
Meloni is a teacher before she is an author. All the technical you
need,but the reading is so easy you don’t realize it untill you reach the end. Great for beginners.

Sams Teach Yourself PHP,MySQL and Apache All in One
I bought this book for my husband and here is his review.

Meloni is a teacher before she is an author. All the technical you

need,but the reading is so easy you don’t realize it untill you reach the end. Great for beginners.

Pretty good book - got my books database up
This book provides a good start for a big topic: PHP/MYSQL/Apache.

Luckily for me I have a fairly decent Linux background and this book strictly was used for its section on PHP and Mysql.

Examples were pretty good and I used the ones especially around page 371 as a good starting point. Watchout for your own typos - it took forever to find a missing { or " or ’. Ugh.

Look carefully at this book and compare to other books and make sure it matches your needs.

Pretty good book - got my books database up
This book provides a good start for a big topic_ PHP/MYSQL/Apache.

Luckily for me I have a fairly decent Linux background and this book strictly was used for its section on PHP and Mysql.

Examples were pretty good and I used the ones especially around page 371 as a good starting point. Watchout for your own typos - it took forever to find a missing { or " or ’. Ugh.

Look carefully at this book and compare to other books and make sure it matches your needs.

Get your website up and running quickly
This book was a great one when I was getting started a few years back. I re-read the latest edition and have to say they actually found a way to make a good thing better. The hands-on, leave nothing unexplained approach is by far the best way to learn and this book offers just that. I would have liked a few "big" projects towards the end of the book but overall I took away a lot of valuable information that I still use to this day.

Also if you are looking to quickly deploy a local testing machine without digging the web for a 100 different ways to accomplish that, this book is the answer. They explain how to install on Windows and Linux in a step-by-step approach.

My only note of concern to the reader is to check the website of the product you are installing rather than using the provided content so you are up to date with all security and feature changes.

Hot Garbage!!!
Do NOT buy this book. The biggest flaw this book has is the lack of organization and a poor understanding of it’s target audience’s needs. I purchased this book with the hope of finally understanding how to install and use these free software tools to create and maintain my own internet business. I spent the first day just trying to get the software to load properly. I couldn’t find the troubleshooting section in this book and it offered no online support. It did offer three different methods of installation on different OS but the sections just ran together with no clearly defined break between OS’s. The book store I bought it from wouldn’t take it back because there policy wouldn’t allow a refund on books that have the software envelope torn open. How are we supposed to know if the book is any good with out installing the software that comes with it? The two are designed to go with each other. All I can tell you is save yourself some trouble and buy a different book. Sam really dropped the ball on this one.

A lesson in frustration
Being a "glass half full" type of person, I’ll start with the positive - The CD makes the installation a breeze. Unfortunately, that’s about the only positive.

There are way too many typos in this book that leave you frustrated. Plus, this book makes too many assumptions, and as a result, skips steps that have left me clueless. I’d found myself going to bookstores to look at other books to help me fill in the blanks that this one left out. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone.

A very irritating book
These comments apply to edition 1.

This turned out to be the most irritating book I have ever had the
misfortune to open in 64 years of opening books. It is probably capable as far as it goes. It wades right in at the start by explaining where to download from, then how to install and create privileges. But NOWHERE AT ALL does it say what the purpose of these languages is. Nowhere.

What do they do? No idea.

There is also a suggestion, but I’m not sure; it’s kind of a hint; that these programs should be installed on a server and not on a *standard* desktop machine (whatever that is). But absolutely no explanation or elaboration.

[...]

Brian

Errors galore
This book is full of errors from the very first page. You will spend a lot of very frustrating time trying to get the stuff installed because the paths in her commands are usually incorrect. Save your money!

Great Book for Beginners
I love this book. When I initially purchased this book I had a pretty good handle on PHP already, but with the examples and carefully crafted explanations this book became a great asset. This book is great at explaining the fundamentals of PHP, MySQL and Apache system configurations, scripting and much more. The book comes with a CD that is loaded with example scripts that you can use as foundations to build more complex scripts.

Great Book
I needed to develop a dynamic, database-backed website and thanks to this book it was a very enjoyable experience.

Although I had no prior experience with PhP and MySQL (I have just general programming background and working knowledge of MS Access), the book is very clearly written and helped me to develop online database of structural software located at bridgeart.net/software_database within a couple of months.

For complete beginners, it might require some effort to set up Apache, MySQL and PHP, but it should be achiveable through some additional online reading and research.

Good for PHP & MySQL amateurs
If you are relatively new to php and mysql, this book is probably the one that you need to kickstart your engine.

Do not expect this book to teach you more than the basics. I have been able to use most of the stuff in this book for a small school as well as a personal project.

A good book to start with for my case, I have been able to improve the php codes as I progress and the chapter on the building blocks of php and mysql & php interaction are exceptionally useful

typos and errata sheets
The book has several sections where there is a huge gap between steps that cost me a lot of time. Even using the errata sheet from www.thickbook.com, there were errors in the author’s source code. I would like to see more detailed explanations of what the code is doing, instead of just summarizing what it does.

Almost everything you need to get started with PHP
Before reading this book I had plenty of experience with HTML and had studied SQL and C in school (but hadn’t used it for ages). I found this book gave me everything I needed to get started. I did find some mistakes in the examples but they were minor and obvious. If you have any prior experience with programming you should be fine going through this book. If you already know PHP but want to know more about Apache or MySQL there are probably better books out there. I also had a little bit of difficulty getting the installation right but once i had it right I was away and now I am programming database driven sites with ease. All thanks to SAMS.

Just awful!
I have never written a book review on Amazon before, but this book was so bad I figured I owed it to other buyers to tell them about it. The simple fact is that is poorly written. I have been a Coldfusion programmer for many years and have been blessed by well written books from Ben Forta. This author consistently took simple concepts and made them difficult. The examples were horrible. Instead of just showing simple the new concept could do, she made each new concept a review of the entire book. There were many things introduced that has no examples at all. I have never swore at a book more!

Great for a start
I wasn’t new to programming, having coded in C for years. However, I wasn’t too familiar with database based programming or even web-based programming. This book gives you a very good start into these areas. I could finish it in fact in less than 10 hrs. This book is most useful to novices who have no prior knowledge of programming of any sort and have to start off with php. This is just an introductory book. It isn’t adequate for advanced programming, but that’s not the objective of the book

All in all, worth investing!

Very Poorly Written Book--Simple Concepts Made Difficult!
I should have known not to buy this book after having read "Sam’s Teach Yourself Flash MX Actionscript in 24 hours"--also poorly written. The main problem with this book as well as the sam’s flash book is that it leaves HUGE gaps in its explanations which force the reader to supplement the lessons with the Internet. For example, the beginning of the book says that no prior knowledge is necessary except for an understanding of HTML; in the intro chapters, it introduces you to databases in general, explaining what they’re for. The next chapter on databases (besides the one on how to install mysql) however ("learning basic sql commands") is prefaced by saying:

"...This is a very hands-on hour, and it assumes that you are able to issue queries through the MySQL monitor on Windows or Linux/Unix. Alternatively, if you use a GUI to MySQL, this hour assumes you know the methods for issuing queries through those interfaces."

What is that!? It goes from explaining what a db is to magically expecting you to know about issuing mysql queries without anything in between? I’m sorry, but this makes no sense whatsoever.

I’m sorry I cannot recommend another book, but perhaps you’d have better luck with ANY OTHER MYSQL,PHP, or APACHE book!