What's a good Book to Learn PHP?

[NastyNed]

To anyone interested...

What is the BEST book for a beginner to learn PHP? I've got HTML cold... I need to learn the server side of things now. Or is there a good site out there that can help?

Any good suggestions? Like, what would you consider to be the "Bible" of PHP?... or would that NOT be a good choice for beginners.

I'm all ears!

Thanks!

-Nasty Ned

[Adultnet]

get php bible its a good book.

[cambaby]

CORE PHP Programming

[Madhouse]

Dont know if this can help, but LVSonline has some php courses.. at only $25 if i remember correctly.

M

[Optic]

Check http://oreilly.com/

[sexsup]

http://www.php.net is what you need

[Radiate]

"php and mysql for dummies" the only book I've ever needed on the subject

[DateDoc]

LOL, i was just about to type that - PHP and mySQL For Dummies.

[heywood]

I started out with PHP for web professionals

It will show you how to make some basic sites, and get you started on php/mysql combos.

After that, I recommend This one which gets more complex. A way into this book, you will find that php.net becomes your best resource. After figuring out the basics, you just need to learn the functions. (PHP.NET).

I am still somewhat convinced that someone could learn the entire language from php.net, I just dont know anyone who has done it. The information is certainly there, though.

[JD]

CORE PHP programming or O'Rileys' book

[Radiate]

LOL, i was just about to type that - PHP and mySQL For Dummies.

great minds think alike

[Wizard-X]

Core PHP Programming 3rd edition, ISBN: 0-13-046346-9

This edition covers php 5, and one of the authors is the co-creator of the new php engine. Goes into a lot of depth and covers some advanced material that I have not seen in other scripting language books. There is some material on optimizing code/queries which you will need as well.

[aboutporno]

Most books are really bad or outdated. You could better read some books about application and database design. These techniques are always usefull. The basic syntax of PHP could be found on php.net like some others already said. That's not the hard part of the job.

[borked]

PHP and MySQL For Web Devlopment by Sams
I have been using that book in the class I give in my bioinformatics course and gets every single student well started so that they can go on to more difficult OO classes.
I think it's around $50 in the States, but just browse through it in Borders or somewhere and you'll see how well laid out and methodical it is - by Chapter 5 you'll be skipping the pages as you've already figured out the examples the authors are giving !

[Wizard-X]

I have been using that book in the class I give in my bioinformatics course and gets every single student well started so that they can go on to more difficult OO classes.

You didn't mention you teach bioinformatics classes. That's very respectable.

[boner 2.0]

http://www.php.net is what you need

I agree. No need for book. Same with MySQL use mysql.com doc

[borked]

You didn't mention you teach bioinformatics classes. That's very respectable.

ah oui, researchers in France affiliated with uni's usually give courses to first year grad students (edit, not really grad students... DEA, which is the first year between finishing their bachelors degree and being able to start a PhD)- it's not much about 12h/yr and it's quite enjoyable. Unpaid of course

[Fletch XXX]

http://www.php.net is what you need

^

excellent php resource

[lb_vee]

http://www.php.net is what you need

PHP.net is a great resource.