What PHP/MySQL book would be good as a textbook?

Question

I'm possibly teaching an undergraduate PHP/MySQL course in the Fall and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for good textbooks.

The books have to be geared towards a beginner/medium level (I'm assuming/hoping my students will have C++ and MsSQL classes prior to mine).

Topics I want to cover in PHP:

• Variables/Constants
• Conditionals
• Loops/Loop Control
• Functions
  • Strings
  • Arrays
  • Dates
  • Custom
• Form Data
• Session/Cookie/Server variables
• MySQL integration
  • Query/Error
  • Prepared Statements
  • MySQLi Class

In MySQL:

• Schema/Users/Tables/Columns/Rows
• Primary/Foreign/Constraints
• Data Types
• Queries
  • Select/Update/Insert/Delete/Truncate
  • Limit/Order By/Group By

Possibly deal with:

• Stored Procedures/Triggers
• Image Manipulation/Custom Classes

Answer 1

I don't know anyone who learned PHP from a book, just online tutorials or the PHP manual. I would say look on Amazon to find a book that covers the topics you want in your course.

Maybe like this. http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-PHP-MySQL-Novice-Professional/dp/1590598628/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236970221&sr=8-3

Answer 2

Programming PHP covers all the PHP topics and then some except for the MySQL integration. It has a chapter on databases, but it is fairly basic. I would supplement this with another, MySQL specific book.

Answer 3

I'd suggest something from Wrox (i.e. Beginning PHP5). Their writers use pretty much comprensible language and examples are pretty good.

Answer 4

I used PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Websites, from Larry Ullman and Peachpit. Not the most advanced book, but a good introduction to both. There have been a number of revisions to this book, I was using the second edition some years ago.

Answer 5

Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using PHP & MySQL by Kevin Yank of SitePoint is a good run up to building a MySQL database driven site.

Found it first back when it was first published on their site as a series of articles, it was a good read and provides a lot of jumping points to start coding. A nice intro and building ground for this once-was beginner.

Answer 6

Welling & Thomson's PHP and MySQL Web Development is the gold standard:

http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Development-Developers-Library/dp/0672329166/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236994701&sr=8-1

Answer 7

your content design is attract me.i like to study this book.thank for your preparing.

Answer 8

I'm learning using Head First's PHP and MySQL and have found it sound and useful.