Product Description

PHP is an open-source, HTML-embedded scripting language that allows you to handle tasks such as processing form input and working with databases directly in your HTML pages, rather than through CGI scripts.

The PHP Pocket Reference is both a handy introduction to PHP syntax and structure and a quick reference to the vast array of functions provided by PHP. This small book acts as a perfect tutorial for learning the basics of developing Web applications with PHP.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69893 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-11
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
PHP is attracting a lot of attention as an open-source alternative to Microsoft's Active Server Page technology. PHP scripts run on the server, so there is no browser compatibility issue. It is most often used with the Apache Web server running on Unix, but there is a Windows version as well.

This slim quick reference is a handy companion for all PHP developers. The author, Rasmus Lerdorf, is the creator of PHP, and PHP Pocket Reference is truly authoritative. It does not assume any prior knowledge and explains basics like how to embed PHP script in HTML, how to use variables, which data types PHP supports, all the PHP operators, and control structures such as if statements and while loops. There are examples of form handling and integration with the MySQL database server, often used with PHP. The book continues with a comprehensive reference to all the PHP functions, organized by function type. Categories include ODBC, Oracle, Date and Time, Graphics, Encryption and XML.

PHP Pocket Reference is best suited to experienced programmers. One annoying feature is the lack of an index, although with only just over 100 pages it isn't too difficult to find what you are looking for.--Tim Anderson

Synopsis
This is an introduction to PHP syntax and structure, and a quick reference to the vast array of functions provided by PHP. The quick reference section organizes all the core functions of PHP alphabetically so you can find what you need easily; the slim size means you can keep it handy beside your keyboard for those times when you want to look up a function quickly without closing what you're doing. The book provides an overview of PHP and is intended to be a companion for O'Reilly's comprehensive book on PHP, "Programming PHP". The PHP Pocket Reference an indispensable (and inexpensive ) tool for any serious PHP coder.

About the Author
started the PHP Project back in 1995 and has been actively involved in PHP development ever since. Also involved in a number of other Open Source projects, Rasmus is a longtime Apache contributor and foundation member. He is the author of the first edition of the PHP Pocket Reference, and the co-author of Programming PHP.

Customer Reviews

Utterly useless for most people
I bought this book already knowing PHP but needing a quick reference to refer to for all the built-in functions (there's no way I can memorize them all!) so I could quickly look up the correct function to use. For that purpose this book is totally useless. Let us count the ways:

1. the function reference is not categorized (array functions, database functions etc) in any way, it's just a LOOONG list of all the functions in alphabetical order so you need to know the name of the function you're looking for before you even start looking.

2. No index, which could have made (1) slightly less of a problem.

3. Each function in the reference begins with the return type (string, int etc). Handy, but as these return types are all different lengths, and there's no padding to make the function names after them line up, you can't just scan down the page at the function names, you have to first find where the function name starts on the line. Slow slow slow. Would a bit of spacing really have hurt that much?

I get the feeling this book was thrown together in a very short time, with very little care and no thought put into its usability as a reference of any kind.

Stick to the online documentation if you're after the kind of quick reference this book should have been.

Could also be used to level your table !
The copy I bought is the 2nd Edition (covering PHP4) in paperback. I'm learning PHP and thought it would be useful, but the Function Reference section starts at page 34 through to 132, and as a previous reviewer has said, "There is no index". The list of functions are not sorted alphabetically either ! The good side is that the book wasn't expensive and I might find something useful in it eventually.

A great reference for the beginner
This book pitches you headlong into coding PHP. By the time you've finished the first two chapters, you'll be able to implement any of the thousands of function references that make up the rest of the title. A great sidearm for web developers, whatever your experience level, and another worthwhile product from O'Reilly Press. Thoroughly recommended.