As someone who is teaching myself programming in PHP/MySQL, I am seeking advice from the dnray community. Here are some resources I've been using for my personal study: "PHP 8 for Dummies," "PHP/MySQL for Beginners" by Andy Harris, and "MySQL Complete Guide" by Paul Dubois. My question is whether these are the right books to be using.



Sometimes, it seems like authors are only writing to make a profit, rather than provide useful information. Although experienced programmers may have no trouble understanding everything in a book, it would be helpful to find a text that clearly explains how a specific site works through examples, rather than just providing generic descriptions.

If anyone has any advice or can recommend interactive video courses on the subject, I would greatly appreciate it.

If you're delving into OOP for PHP8, I recommend checking out "PHP 8 for Professionals" by authors Ed Leckie-Thompson, Hyao Aide-Goodman, Alec Cove, and Stephen D. Nowitzki - it's the best PHP book I've come across so far.

When it comes to studying effectively, I suggest getting a lot of hands-on practice and working on your own ideas. You could also consider showing your work to more experienced developers who are willing to offer guidance and suggestions.

At the outset, I recommend installing XAMPP or Denver (or even better, a virtual machine with Linux/Unix, as it will be useful in the long run). Once you've mastered the basics and completed the "Hello World" exercise, move on to mastering the general syntax - including loops, functions, variables, and includes. Next, try working with any engine or platform - for example, the punbb forum engine helped me gain a deeper understanding of functional programming and clean database queries. Starting with basic tasks like changing the appearance of the main page or adding a login block can be helpful.

Once you feel comfortable with the chosen engine, you can move on to working with frameworks. Personally, I found CodeIgniter to be a useful tool for learning about OOP, routing, ORM, MVC, HMVC, and caching.

I highly recommend Paul Hudson's "PHP in a Nutshell" - it's an extremely clear and useful book, more akin to a textbook than a reference guide. Additionally, "Professional Programming in PHP" (also known as "Advanced PHP Programming") by George Schlossnagle is a complex yet valuable resource - while not appropriate for beginners, there are sections that even novice programmers can benefit from.

In general, the best way to learn is through practical tasks - try creating a simple but functional website on a topic that interests you, and you'll encounter tasks and questions that will help you learn along the way.

Lastly, don't overlook the php.net website - it's important to consult the original source when learning about specific functions and language intricacies, as books can be outdated or contain errors. Additionally, consider testing functions and examples in Denver or XAMPP, as this experience can serve as a valuable supplement to your learning.

Hello this is Gulshan Negi
Well, nowadays there are lots of resources available over the internet that you can choose to learn any programming language easily. One thing that you need to remember is to stay patient and persistent in your learning journey, as mastering PHP and MySQL takes time and practice. By following the steps below, you can build a solid foundation in PHP and MySQL development and become a skilled developer over time.
1. Start with the basics
2. Learn from reputable sources
3. Practice with exercises and projects
4. Join online communities
5. Attend workshops and conferences
6. Build a portfolio
7. Join courses
8. Books

I hope it will help you.
Thanks

In web programming, there are fundamental disciplines that anyone involved with the World Wide Web must learn. PHP and MySQL are two of these essential components, which virtually all of the internet is built on. Even if you don't want to learn them, it's important to understand their significance:

Anyone familiar with web programming knows that PHP and MySQL are the dominant languages in web development. While the prevalence of engines has slightly diminished their importance, most content management systems (CMS) are still built using them.

Learning PHP and MySQL can seem challenging, but it offers many benefits. Programmers with a strong grasp of these languages are in high demand and command decent salaries. Additionally, remote work opportunities and cost savings make these skills even more valuable.

Despite the prevalence of CMS tools, understanding PHP and MySQL remains important for web developers. Even the most fault-tolerant engines can be affected by human error, and correcting programming mistakes often requires hiring an expert. Being able to fix code issues on your own saves time and money.

If you're interested in learning PHP, there are many online courses available. Dynamic websites rely on PHP to generate content in response to user requests, making it a key skill for any web programmer. However, learning PHP can be more than just a practical skill - it can also be a creative and rewarding hobby.

"PHP 8 for Dummies" is decent for beginners. It breaks down concepts into manageable chunks, which is very important when you're just starting out. Yet, I agree that it can sometimes gloss over the finer details or practical applications. The same goes for "PHP/MySQL for Beginners" by Andy Harris; it's a solid introduction but may leave you wanting more depth.

"MySQL Complete Guide" by Paul Dubois is more comprehensive, and it delves deeper into database management. That might be useful as you progress. I suggest focusing more on practical application as you learn. Building small projects using PHP and MySQL can help reinforce the concepts you are learning through the books.

In terms of interactive video courses, platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Codecademy offer courses specifically geared towards PHP and MySQL. Look for those that include hands-on projects, as they often provide a better learning experience. One popular course on Udemy, for instance, provides a step-by-step example of how to build a complete web application, which might be exactly what you're looking for.

Another thing to consider is subscribing to sites like YouTube where many developers post tutorials that walk through real-world applications. This way, you can see how specific concepts are applied in practice.

Don't forget to engage with communities like Stack Overflow, or even Reddit groups focused on programming. These can be great places to ask questions and get guidance when you're stuck. It's important to find the right blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, so keep experimenting with different resources until you find what clicks for you.

You're on the right track with the resources you're using, but I'd like to offer some additional advice and recommendations. While "PHP 8 for Dummies" and "PHP/MySQL for Beginners" by Andy Harris are great introductory books, they might not provide the in-depth, hands-on examples you're looking for. "MySQL Complete Guide" by Paul Dubois is a comprehensive resource, but it might be more focused on MySQL than PHP.

To gain a deeper understanding of how a specific site works, I recommend exploring online resources like PHP.net, W3Schools, and Stack Overflow. These websites offer a wealth of information, including tutorials, examples, and forums where you can ask questions and get feedback from experienced developers.

As for interactive video courses, I suggest checking out Udemy, Coursera, and edX. These platforms offer a wide range of courses on PHP, MySQL, and web development, often with hands-on projects and exercises. Some popular courses include "PHP for Beginners" by Traversy Media, "MySQL Fundamentals" by DataCamp, and "Web Development Bootcamp" by Colt Steele.

Additionally, you might want to consider exploring open-source projects on GitHub or Bitbucket to see how real-world applications are built and maintained. This will give you a chance to learn from experienced developers and gain practical experience.