PHP: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE | Beginner's Guide

PHP: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE

Authors: Vikram Vaswani

Published: October 2008

eISBN: 9780071549028 0071549021 | ISBN: 9780071549011

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part I: Understanding PHP Basics

1 Introducing PHP

History

Unique Features

Basic Development Concepts

Creating Your First PHP Script

Try This 1-1: Mixing PHP with HTML

Sample Applications

Summary

2 Using Variables and Operators

Storing Data in Variables

Understanding PHP’s Data Types

Setting and Checking Variable Data Types

Using Constants

Manipulating Variables with Operators

Try This 2-1: Building a Dollars-to-Euros Converter

Handling Form Input

Try This 2-2: Building an Interactive HTML Color Sampler

Summary

3 Controlling Program Flow

Writing Simple Conditional Statements

Try This 3-1: Testing Odd and Even Numbers

Writing More Complex Conditional Statements

Try This 3-2: Assigning Boy Scouts to Tents

Repeating Actions with Loops

Try This 3-3: Building a Factorial Calculator

Working with String and Numeric Functions

Try This 3-4: Processing a Member Registration Form

Summary

4 Working with Arrays

Storing Data in Arrays

Processing Arrays with Loops and Iterators

Try This 4-1: Averaging the Grades of a Class

Using Arrays with Forms

Try This 4-2: Selecting Pizza Toppings

Working with Array Functions

Try This 4-3: Checking Prime Numbers

Working with Dates and Times

Try This 4-4: Building an Age Calculator

Summary

5 Using Functions and Classes

Creating User-Defined Functions

Try This 5-1: Calculating GCF and LCM

Creating Classes

Try This 5-2: Encrypting and Decrypting Text

Using Advanced OOP Concepts

Try This 5-3: Generating Form Selection Lists

Summary

Part II: Working with Data from Other Sources

6 Working with Files and Directories

Reading Files

Writing Files

Try This 6-1: Reading and Writing Configuration Files

Processing Directories

Performing Other File and Directory Operations

Try This 6-2: Creating a Photo Gallery

Summary

7 Working with Databases and SQL

Introducing Databases and SQL

Try This 7-1: Creating and Populating a Database

Using PHP’s MySQLi Extension

Adding or Modifying Data

Handling Errors

Try This 7-2: Adding Employees to a Database

Using PHP’s SQLite Extension

Try This 7-3: Creating a Personal To-Do List

Using PHP’s PDO Extension

Try This 7-4: Building a Login Form

Summary

8 Working with XML

Introducing XML

Try This 8-1: Creating an XML Document

Using PHP’s SimpleXML Extension

Try This 8-2: Converting XML to SQL

Try This 8-3: Reading RSS Feeds

Using PHP’s DOM Extension

Try This 8-4: Recursively Processing an XML Document Tree

Try This 8-5: Reading and Writing XML Configuration Files

Summary

9 Working with Cookies, Sessions, and Headers

Working with Cookies

Try This 9-1: Saving and Restoring User Preferences

Working with Sessions

Try This 9-2: Tracking Previous Visits to a Page

Using HTTP Headers

Try This 9-3: Building a Better Login Form

Summary

Part III: Security and Troubleshooting

10 Handling Errors

Handling Script Errors

Try This 10-1: Generating a Clean Error Page

Using Exceptions

Try This 10-2: Validating Form Input

Logging Errors

Debugging Errors

Summary

11 Securing PHP

Sanitizing Input and Output

Securing Data

Validating User Input

Try This 11-1: Validating Form Input

Configuring PHP Security

Summary

12 Extending PHP

Using PEAR

Try This 12-1: Accessing POP3 Mailboxes with PEAR

Using PECL

Try This 12-2: Creating Zip Archives with PECL

Summary

Part IV: Appendixes

A: Installing and Configuring Required Software

Obtaining the Software

Installing and Configuring the Software

Testing the Software

Performing Post-Installation Steps

Summary

B: Answers to Self Test

Index