Recommend a good book for PHP and mySQL
 

I have been struggling to learn PHP lately. I have a book that teaches PHP but it's really a piece-by-piece approach without explain how to create a REAL web application using PHP. Can anybody recommend a good PHP book that combines all aspects including database handling and so on and gives a tutorial kind of approach with lot of screenshots and examples?

Links to good newbie online tutorials also welcome. But I have the official PHP manual already so don't point me to that.

I've learned a lot from this link:

http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey...tutorial4.html

it's good for newbies, who not even know how to actually install PHP/MySQL/Apache. The code is old but should help you a lot and, when you get stuck, as I did a lot of times, LQ.org to the rescue :).

Good luck!

Thanks for that link. :) Can you also recommend any books? I prefer reading offline rather than stare at the computer screen. I have one book, but that doesn't go too deep into the MySQL aspect of things. What I want is a book that teaches MySQL (with reference for SQL statements, database administration and so on) as well as PHP and not just MySQL commands in PHP.

You are welcome :). I've heard that "PHP5 and MySQL Bible" is awesome, but it cost a lot and I never had cash for it with so many good games coming out all the time... talking about priorities.. lol :)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...186760-4900635

I will see if I can get a copy of that book at my local bookstore.

Little hint, search some reviews of that book on google first ;).

after found a good book dont forget

php manual
http://www.php.net/download-docs.php (html & chm)

mysql manual
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/ (html & pdf)
http://phlab.net/myman/download.php (chm)

I'm reading
Beginning PHP 5 and MySQL by W. Jason Gilmore
It covers PHP and MySQL. So far I have been pleased.

naflan