book

Learning PHP

by David Sklar

April 2016

Beginner

550 pages

9h 40m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Who This Book Is ForContents of This BookWhat’s Not in This BookOther ResourcesConventions Used in This BookProgramming ConventionsTypographical ConventionsUsing Code ExamplesSafari® Books OnlineComments and QuestionsAcknowledgments
PHP’s Place in the Web WorldWhat’s So Great About PHP?PHP Is Free (as in Money)PHP Is Free (as in Speech)PHP Is Cross-PlatformPHP Is Widely UsedPHP Hides Its ComplexityPHP Is Built for Web ProgrammingPHP in ActionBasic Rules of PHP ProgramsStart and End TagsWhitespace and Case-SensitivityCommentsChapter Summary
TextDefining Text StringsManipulating TextNumbersUsing Different Kinds of NumbersArithmetic OperatorsVariablesOperating on VariablesPutting Variables Inside StringsChapter SummaryExercises
Understanding true and falseMaking DecisionsBuilding Complicated DecisionsRepeating YourselfChapter SummaryExercises
Array BasicsCreating an ArrayChoosing a Good Array NameCreating a Numeric ArrayFinding the Size of an ArrayLooping Through ArraysModifying ArraysSorting ArraysUsing Multidimensional ArraysChapter SummaryExercises
Declaring and Calling FunctionsPassing Arguments to FunctionsReturning Values from FunctionsUnderstanding Variable ScopeEnforcing Rules on Arguments and Return ValuesRunning Code in Another FileChapter SummaryExercises
Object BasicsConstructorsIndicating a Problem with ExceptionsExtending an ObjectProperty and Method VisibilityNamespacesChapter SummaryExercises
Useful Server VariablesAccessing Form ParametersForm Processing with FunctionsValidating DataRequired ElementsNumeric or String ElementsNumber RangesEmail Addresses<select> MenusHTML and JavaScriptBeyond SyntaxDisplaying Default ValuesPutting It All TogetherChapter SummaryExercises
Organizing Data in a DatabaseConnecting to a Database ProgramCreating a TablePutting Data into the DatabaseInserting Form Data SafelyA Complete Data Insertion FormRetrieving Data from the DatabaseChanging the Format of Retrieved RowsRetrieving Form Data SafelyA Complete Data Retrieval FormChapter SummaryExercises
Understanding File PermissionsReading and Writing Entire FilesReading a FileWriting a FileReading and Writing Parts of FilesWorking with CSV FilesInspecting File PermissionsChecking for ErrorsSanitizing Externally Supplied FilenamesChapter SummaryExercises

Working with CookiesActivating SessionsStoring and Retrieving InformationConfiguring SessionsLogin and User IdentificationWhy setcookie() and session_start() Want to Be at the Top of the PageChapter SummaryExercises
Simple URL Access with File FunctionsComprehensive URL Access with cURLRetrieving URLs via GETRetrieving URLs via POSTUsing CookiesRetrieving HTTPS URLsServing API RequestsChapter SummaryExercises
Controlling Where Errors AppearFixing Parse ErrorsInspecting Program DataAdding Debug OutputUsing a DebuggerHandling Uncaught ExceptionsChapter SummaryExercises
Installing PHPUnit Writing a TestIsolating What You TestTest-Driven DevelopmentMore Information About TestingChapter SummaryExercises
Source ControlIssue TrackingEnvironments and DeploymentScaling EventuallyChapter Summary
Displaying the Date or TimeParsing a Date or TimeCalculating Dates and TimesWorking with TimezonesChapter Summary
Installing ComposerAdding a Package to Your ProgramFinding PackagesGetting More Information on ComposerChapter Summary
Swift MailerChapter Summary
LaravelSymfonyZend FrameworkChapter Summary
Writing Command-Line PHP ProgramsUsing PHP’s Built-in Web ServerRunning a PHP REPLChapter Summary
Manipulating TextSorting and ComparingLocalizing OutputChapter Summary
Using PHP with a Web-Hosting ProviderInstalling the PHP EngineInstalling on OS XInstalling on LinuxInstalling on WindowsModifying PHP Configuration DirectivesAppendix Summary
Chapter 2Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Exercise 5Chapter 3Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Chapter 4Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Chapter 5Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Exercise 5Chapter 6Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Chapter 7Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Exercise 5Chapter 8Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Chapter 9Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Exercise 5Chapter 10Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Chapter 11Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Chapter 12Exercise 1Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4Chapter 13Exercise 2Exercise 3Exercise 4

Overview

If you want to get started with PHP, this book is essential. Author David Sklar (PHP Cookbook) guides you through aspects of the language you need to build dynamic server-side websites. By exploring features of PHP 5.x and the exciting enhancements in the latest release, PHP 7, you’ll learn how to work with web servers, browsers, databases, and web services. End-of-chapter exercises help you make the lessons stick.

Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to build dynamic websites, a frontend developer ready to add server-side programs, or an experienced programmer who wants to get up to speed with this language, this gentle introduction also covers aspects of modern PHP, such as internationalization, using PHP from the command line, and package management.