PHP and MySQL by Example Pap/Cdr Edition

I purchased this as the required textbook for a class on PHP / My SQL. I have suggested to the instructor that he find a different book for future classes.Some people may like the "By Example" format, but I don't. It tends to limit your ability to write code to what you've seen examples of. In many cases, the book doesn't delve into the nuts and bolts of different commands and functions for you to do much but blindly copy the authors' examples. And THAT'S when the problems start.As many other reviewers have noted, the book is riddled with typos and errors. For a new student, especially one without a deep programming background, these could be extremely frustrating. Is my code wrong? Or did I copy one of the authors' mistakes? I have done a fair amount of programming so I was able to catch a lot of the mistakes while reading.This does not include the many simple spelling errors that should have been caught by a spell-checker.The worst chapter of the book by far was Chapter 6 on String Functions. An alarming number of the "Format" sections (where the authors BRIEFLY explain the function and its arguments) and the code examples had some type of error(s) in them. My personal favorite is the "str_ireplace()" function. In the section header, it is spelled "stri_replace()". In the text of the section it is spelled "stri_replace()" and "str_ireplace()" in different places. Finally, to hedge their bets, the function is listed in the Index as "stri_ireplace()"! This is just one of MANY MANY examples.Also, the book is printed all in grayscale. The lack of color inhibits readability.The back cover of the book says that the book "illuminates every concept with tested code examples...". After reading (most) of the book, there is no way this is a completely accurate statement.A final complaint is the writing style. The authors sometimes repeat the same, or similar text, a maddening number of times as you are reading through a topic. They really would have benefited from a more critical editor.In summary, I don't like the format or the visual appearance of the book, I'm not wild about the "By Example" concept, and the book has too many errors to be taken seriously.

Although the book has many good features and is very helpful, it does not spend much time talking about integrating MySQL with PHP. Most of the example have little to do with QUARY which is the heart of using a database with PHP.

Ancient. Look for alternatives.

Worst PHP book by examples I have ever read. full of typo errors.

The CD only works on PC. I work on a MAC and couldn't access many of the files. That's just absurd.

Truthfully it was in a bit more scrappier condition than I anticipated but, hey it is better than buying it new either way.

Of the numerous books on php for beginners, I think this is the best I have perused.Good explanations of everything and good overviews to get the general picture. I would highly recommend PHP and MySQL by Example.

Thanks!

Content is really good, and gives you all the basics you need, but it also seems kinda old school (perhaps because PHP is old school?)