HELP: book needed

All,

First, I am NOT a programmer. My degree is EE.

At 52, I am trying to learn PHP and eventually MySQL.

Think PHP is a good way to go. Historically, I am not a good learner by
just reading. I seem to need things like this:

Concept
Example
Problem to Code

So, knowing this, I need a good novice PHP book. Wrox press "Beginning"
series helped a lot when I tried to learn Java.

Any suggestions for an old guy trying to get up to speed?

Please post to group and:

rstoos@rochester.rr.com

Thanks,

Ralph

Hi Ralph,

I never used a book for learning PHP - there is a whole bunch of usefull
problem-to-code PHP tutorials on google. When you're getting the hang of
it, use php.net in the background for looking up commands (with examples
, user comments etc). PHP isn't too hard to learn, I'd advise you to do
some tutorials. If you really want to become a good PHP programmer buy a
book about object oriented programming - I think there are books about
OO-programming in PHP as well...

And for MySQL - this is 'just another' a database management system like
oracle and MS access, so you'd need a book about databases as well if
you want to master that... doesn't necessarily have to be about mysql -
its more important to master the basics about database design and
normalisation and stuff.

I never used a book, but maybe I was in advantage because I already did
some programming in Java and C++. If you are really looking for a book,
I think every PHP book will do - just to get you started, after that use
php.net. My advise is to step pretty quickly to OO-programming in PHP -
it isn't that hard to learn and you will be really thankfull if you
master it (saves a lot of typing and RSI-like sympthoms).

Or do it like I did: borrow some PHP book from the local library, and if
it's a good book consider buying it.

Good luck,

Harrie

Ralph H. Stoos Jr. wrote:
> All,
>
> First, I am NOT a programmer. My degree is EE.
>
> At 52, I am trying to learn PHP and eventually MySQL.
>
> Think PHP is a good way to go. Historically, I am not a good learner by
> just reading. I seem to need things like this:
>
> Concept
> Example
> Problem to Code
>
> So, knowing this, I need a good novice PHP book. Wrox press "Beginning"
> series helped a lot when I tried to learn Java.
>
> Any suggestions for an old guy trying to get up to speed?
>
> Please post to group and:
>
> rstoos@rochester.rr.com
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ralph

"Ralph H. Stoos Jr." <rstoos@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message
news:mZlyd.68051$Uf.61705@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
> All,
>
> First, I am NOT a programmer. My degree is EE.
>
> At 52, I am trying to learn PHP and eventually MySQL.

Hi Ralph,

Try "Web Database Applications with PHP & MySQL" from O'Reilly. It's not for
the complete novice know-nothing beginner to programming, but if you can get
your head round some basic principles this is a great book. If you've learnt
Java you should have no problems with this. I knew nothing about programming
or databases and I'm on the better side of 40 too, but I consider myself
fairly competent having been at it for a couple of years now. Read all about
it here

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...420555-5106347

Once you have this book under your belt go to www.php.net and www.mysql.com
for a greater explanation of the functions and features you will have learnt
in the book. After that, search the internet - the wealth of information out
there cannot ever be put into a book. Many forums as well as ngs like this
help beginners like me solve mind-numbing problem with proper explanations.
The book is just a start.

My main reason for wanting to learn php/mysql was that I am a web designer
and I was sick and tired of being reliant on our programmers every time I
wanted a small tweak done. I now do all those tweaks myself. QED :).

Good luck and

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Frank

"Ralph H. Stoos Jr." <rstoos@rochester.rr.com> writes:

> All,
>
> First, I am NOT a programmer. My degree is EE.
>
> At 52, I am trying to learn PHP and eventually MySQL.
>
> Think PHP is a good way to go. Historically, I am not a good learner
> by just reading. I seem to need things like this:
>
>
> Concept
> Example
> Problem to Code
>
> So, knowing this, I need a good novice PHP book. Wrox press
> "Beginning" series helped a lot when I tried to learn Java.
>
>
> Any suggestions for an old guy trying to get up to speed?
>
> Please post to group and:
>
> rstoos@rochester.rr.com
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ralph

Yes, we have some good books our staff likes on
these topics and that we recommend, Check here:
http://www.thebook.com/books.html

Hope this helps!

--
John
__________________________________________________ _________________
John Murtari Software Workshop Inc.
jmurtari@following domain 315.635-1968(x-211) "TheBook.Com" (TM)
http://thebook.com/