book

PHP Crash Course

Name: PHP Crash Course
Author: Matt Smith
ISBN: 9781718502529

by Matt Smith

January 2025

Intermediate to advanced

728 pages

18h 40m

English

No Starch Press

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Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
About the Author and About the Technical Reviewers
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Who This Book Is ForWhy PHP?What You Will LearnOnline Resources
Part I: Language Fundamentals
1. PHP Program Basics
Two Methods to Run PHPThe Replit Online Coding EnvironmentA Local PHP InstallationTemplate Text vs. PHP CodeCommentsVariablesCreating VariablesUsing VariablesNaming VariablesConstantsOperators and OperandsArithmetic OperatorsCombined Arithmetic Assignment OperatorsIncrement and Decrement OperatorsSummaryExercises
2. Data Types
PHP Data TypesScalar Data TypesThe Special NULL TypeFunctions to Test for a Data TypeType JugglingNumeric ContextsString ContextsComparative ContextsLogical and Other ContextsType CastingSummaryExercises
3. Strings and String Functions
WhitespaceSingle-Quoted StringsJoining Strings: ConcatenationDouble-Quoted StringsHandling the Character After a Variable NameIncorporating Unicode CharactersHeredocsEscape SequencesIndentionNowdocsBuilt-in String FunctionsConverting to Upper- and LowercaseSearching and CountingExtracting and Replacing SubstringsTrimming WhitespaceRemoving All Unnecessary WhitespaceRepeating and PaddingSummaryExercises

4. Conditionals
Conditions Are True or Falseif Statementsif...else StatementsNested if...else Statementsif...elseif...else StatementsAlternative SyntaxLogical OperatorsNOTANDORXORswitch Statementsmatch StatementsThe Ternary OperatorThe Null-Coalescing OperatorSummaryExercises
5. Custom Functions
Separating Code into Multiple FilesReading in and Executing Another ScriptCreating Absolute FilepathsDeclaring and Calling a FunctionParameters vs. ArgumentsErrors from Incorrect Function CallsType JugglingFunctions Without Explicit Return ValuesReturning NULLExiting a Function EarlyCalling Functions from Within FunctionsFunctions with Multiple Return and Parameter TypesNullable TypesUnion TypesOptional ParametersPositional vs. Named ArgumentsSkipped ParametersPass-by-Value vs. Pass-by-ReferenceSummaryExercises
Part II: Working with Data
6. Loops
while Loopsdo...while LoopsBoolean Flagsbreak Statementsfor LoopsUsing the Counter in the LoopSkipping Loop StatementsHandling the Last Iteration DifferentlyAlternative Loop SyntaxAvoiding Infinite LoopsSummaryExercises
7. Simple Arrays
Creating an Array and Accessing Its ValuesUpdating an ArrayAppending an ElementAdding an Element with a Specific KeyAppending Multiple ElementsRemoving the Last ElementRetrieving Information About an ArrayLooping Through an ArrayUsing a foreach LoopAccessing Keys and ValuesImploding an ArrayFunctions with a Variable Number of ArgumentsArray Copies vs. Array ReferencesTreating Strings as Arrays of CharactersOther Array FunctionsSummaryExercises
8. Sophisticated Arrays
Declaring Array Keys ExplicitlyArrays with Strings as KeysMultidimensional ArraysMore Array OperationsRemoving Any Element from an ArrayCombining and Comparing ArraysDestructuring an Array into Multiple VariablesCallback Functions and ArraysSummaryExercises
9. Files and Directories
Reading a File into a StringConfirming That a File Exists“Touching” a FileEnsuring That a Directory ExistsWriting a String to a Text FileManaging Files and DirectoriesReading a File into an ArrayUsing Lower-Level File FunctionsProcessing Multiple FilesJSON and Other File TypesSummaryExercises
Part III: Programming Web Applications
10. Client/Server Communication and Web Development Basics
The HTTP Request-Response CycleResponse Status CodesAn Example GET RequestHow Servers OperateSimple Web Servers for File RetrievalDynamic Web Servers for Processing DataThe Routing ProcessTemplatingPHP TagsShort Echo TagsThe Model-View-Controller ArchitectureStructuring a PHP Web Development ProjectSummaryExercises
11. Creating and Processing Web Forms
Basic Client/Server Communication for Web FormsGET vs. POST RequestsA Simple ExampleThe filter_input() FunctionOther Ways to Send DataSending Noneditable Data Along with Form VariablesProcessing Mixed Query-String and POST VariablesOffering Multiple Submit ButtonsEncoding Data in HyperlinksOther Form Input TypesRadio ButtonsCheckboxesSingle-Selection ListsMultiple-Selection ListsSummaryExercises
12. Validating Form Data
Writing Custom Validation LogicManaging Multiple Validation ErrorsTesting for a Valid Zero ValueDisplaying and Validating Forms in a Single Postback ScriptSimple Validation LogicArray-Based Validation LogicSummaryExercises
13. Organizing A Web Application
Front Controllers and the MVC ArchitectureSeparating Display and Logic FilesCreating the Front ControllerWriting the Display ScriptsMoving Website Logic into FunctionsDesigning a Secure Folder StructureSimplifying the Front-Controller ScriptWriting the FunctionsGeneralizing the Front-Controller StructureDistinguishing Between Requested PagesBuilding a Multipage ApplicationSummaryExercises
Part IV: Storing User Data with Browser Sessions
14. Working with Sessions
A Web Browser SessionThe session_start() and session_id() FunctionsThe $_SESSION Superglobal ArrayUpdating a Stored ValueUnsetting a ValueDestroying the Session and Emptying the Session ArraySummaryExercises
15. Implementing A Shopping Cart
The Shopping Cart File StructureDefining the Product ListCreating the Products ArrayAdding CSSDisplaying the Star RatingsCreating the Template ScriptUpdating the Index ScriptDesigning the Shopping CartCreating the Front ControllerManaging the Product and Cart ArraysStreamlining the Index ScriptCreating a Header TemplateCreating the Cart Display TemplateInteracting with the SessionUpdating the Cart-Retrieval FunctionImplementing Cart-Manipulation FunctionsCreating the Empty Cart TemplateFinalizing the Front ControllerAdding Display FunctionsWriting the switch StatementSummaryExercises
16. Authentication and Authorization
A Simple Login FormCreating a Site with a Login FormDefining the File StructureCreating the Shared Page ContentDesigning the Page TemplatesDeveloping the Login FormWriting the Front ControllerImplementing the Logic FunctionsCreating the Error Page TemplateStoring Login Data with SessionsUpdating the Front ControllerWriting the Login FunctionUpdating the Header TemplateUpdating the Banking Page TemplateOffering a Logout FeatureAdding the Logout FunctionUpdating the Front ControllerDisplaying the Logout LinkDisplaying the Logged-in UsernameRetrieving the UsernameUpdating the Navigation BarUpdating the CSSSummaryExercises
Part V: Object-Oriented PHP
17. Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming
Classes and ObjectsCreating Relationships Between ObjectsEncapsulation and Information HidingSuperclasses, Inheritance, and OverridingThe Flow of Control for Object-Oriented SystemsAn Example Class DeclarationSummaryExercises
18. Declaring Classes and Creating Objects
Declaring a ClassCreating an ObjectPrivate Properties with Public Accessor MethodsGetting and Setting Private PropertiesScreening for Invalid DataOverriding Default Class Behavior with Magic MethodsInitializing Values with a Constructor MethodConverting Objects to StringsObject Variables as ReferencesHandling Missing ObjectsCustom Methods and Virtual AttributesSummaryExercises
19. Inheritance
Inheritance as GeneralizationCreating Objects from SubclassesUsing Multiple Levels of InheritanceProtected VisibilityAbstract ClassesOverriding Inherited MethodsAugmenting Inherited BehaviorPreventing Subclassing and OverridingDeclaring a Class finalDeclaring a Method finalSummaryExercises
20. Managing Classes and Namespaces with Composer
NamespacesDeclaring a Class’s NamespaceUsing a Namespaced ClassReferencing Namespaces in Class DeclarationsComposerInstalling and Testing ComposerCreating the composer.json Configuration FileCreating an AutoloaderAdding Third-Party Libraries to a ProjectWhere to Find PHP LibrariesSummaryExercises
21. Efficient Template Design with Twig
The Twig Templating LibraryHow Twig WorksA Simple ExampleManipulating Objects and Arrays in Twig TemplatesTwig Control StructuresCreating a Multipage Website with TwigThe File Structure and DependenciesThe Application ClassThe Twig TemplatesTwig Features to Improve EfficiencyImproved Page Styling with CSSSummaryExercises
22. Structuring an Object-Oriented Web Application
Separating Display and Front-Controller LogicUsing Multiple Controller ClassesSharing Controller Features Through InheritanceSummaryExercises
23. Error Handling with Exceptions
The Basics of ExceptionsThrowing an ExceptionCatching an ExceptionEnding with a finally StatementUsing Multiple Exception ClassesOther Built-in Exception ClassesCustom Exception ClassesCall-Stack BubblingSummaryExercises
24. Logging Events, Messages, and Transactions
Built-in PHP Resources for LoggingPredefined Constants for Severity LevelsLogging FunctionsThe Monolog Logging LibraryOrganizing Logs with ChannelsManaging Logs According to SeverityLogging ExceptionsLogging to the CloudSummaryExercises
25. Static Methods, Properties, and Enumerations
Storing Class-Wide InformationStatic Properties vs. Class ConstantsUtility Classes with Static MembersSharing Resources Across an ApplicationSaving Resources with the Singleton PatternEnumerationsBacked EnumsAn Array of All CasesSummaryExercises
26. Abstract Methods, Interfaces, and Traits
From Inheritance to InterfacesInheriting a Fully Implemented Method from a SuperclassInheriting an Abstract MethodRequiring Method Implementations with InterfacesReal-World Applications of InterfacesCaching Approach 1: Using an ArrayCaching Approach 2: Using a JSON FileCaching Approach 3: Creating a Cacheable InterfaceTraitsDeclaring TraitsInserting TraitsResolving Trait ConflictsWhat to Use When?SummaryExercises
Part VI: Database-Driven Application Development
27. Introduction to Databases
Relational Database BasicsDatabase Management SystemsStructured Query LanguageDatabases and Web Application ArchitectureObject-Oriented ProgrammingThe Model-View-Controller PatternSummaryExercises
28. Database Programming with the PDO Library
The PDO LibraryA Simple Database-Driven Web ApplicationSetting Up the Database SchemaWriting the PHP ClassesSwitching from MySQL to SQLiteA Multipage Database-Driven Web ApplicationManaging the Product InformationImplementing the Controller LogicDesigning the TemplatesSummaryExercises
29. Programming CRUD Operations
Deleting DataDeleting Everything from a TableDeleting Individual Items by IDCreating New Database EntriesAdding Products Through a Web FormHighlighting the Newly Created ProductUpdating a Database EntryAvoiding Double Form Submission with RedirectsSummaryExercises
30. ORM Libraries and Database Security
Simplifying Database Code with an ORM LibraryAdding an ORM Library to a ProjectMoving Database Credentials to a .env FileRelegating Product Operations to the ORM LibraryAdding a New Database TableSecurity Best PracticesStoring Hashed PasswordsVerifying Hashed Passwords at LoginSecuring Database CredentialsThe Doctrine ORM LibraryRemoving the Previous ORM LibraryAdding DoctrineVerifying That Doctrine Is WorkingCreating Database TablesAdding Records to a TableIntegrating Doctrine into the Application CodeCreating Foreign-Key RelationshipsSummaryExercises
31. Working with Dates and Times
The ISO 8601 StandardCreating Dates and TimesFormatting the Date-Time InformationUsing DateTimeImmutable vs. DateTimeManipulating Dates and TimesUsing Date-Time IntervalsLooping at Regular IntervalsTime ZonesDaylight Saving TimeEpochs and Unix TimeDate-Time Information in a Web ApplicationThe Application ClassThe Supporting ClassesThe TemplatesMySQL DatesSummaryExercises
Appendix A: Installing PHP
macOSLinuxWindowsAMP Installations
Appendix B: Database Setup
MySQLmacOS and WindowsLinuxSQLiteConfirming the MySQL and SQLite Extensions
Appendix C: Replit Configuration
Changing the PHP VersionAdding the Composer ToolUsing the SQLite Database SystemServing Pages from the public Directory
Index

Content preview from PHP Crash Course

B DATABASE SETUP

Part VI of this book outlined how to use PHP to interact with MySQL and SQLite databases. This appendix covers how to make sure these database management systems are set up on your local computer.

MySQL

MySQL is available in various editions. For the purposes of this book, the free MySQL Community Server is sufficient. We’ll discuss how to install it for your chosen operating system.

macOS and Windows

To install MySQL Community Server on macOS or Windows, visit https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/. The website should detect the operating system you’re using, so you just need to download the latest version of the appropriate ...

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PHP Crash Course: Learn PHP in 90 Minutes

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PHP Crash Course

by Matt Smith

B DATABASE SETUP