Beginning PHP5, Apache and MySQL Web Development

Projects in This Book 3
Brief Intro to PHP, Apache, MySQL, and Open Source 4
A Brief History of Open Source Initiatives 4
Why Open Source Rocks 4
How the Pieces of the AMP Module Work Together 5
Apache 6
PHP 6
MySQL 7
AMP Installers 8
Foxserv 8
PHPTriad 8
XAMPP 8
Configuring Your Apache Installation 8
Testing Your Installation 9
Customizing Your Installation 10
Adding PHP to the Equation 10
Document Root 11
Configuring Your PHP Installation 13
Testing Your Installation 13
Customizing Your Installation 14
Configuring PHP5 to Use MySQL 16
Configuring Your MySQL Installation 17
Testing Your Installation 17
Configuring Your Installation 19
The my.cnf File 21
Setting Up Users and Privileges 24
Where to Go for Help and Other Valuable Resources 25
Help within the Programs 25
Source Web Sites 25
Summary 26

Overview of PHP Structure and Syntax 30
How PHP Fits with HTML 30
The Rules of PHP Syntax 30
The Importance of Coding Practices 31
What Makes a Great Program? 32
Why Should You Care about What Your Code Looks Like? 32
Creating Your First Program 33
Using HTML to Spice Up Your Pages 34
Integrating HTML with PHP 34
Considerations with HTML Inside PHP 36
Using Constants and Variables to Add Functionality 37
Overview of Constants 37
Overview of Variables 38
Passing Variables between Pages 40
A Word about register_globals 41
Passing Variables through a URL 42
Special Characters in URLs 45
Passing Variables with Sessions 47
Passing Variables with Cookies 49
Passing Information with Forms 53
Fast Primer on Forms 53
Using if/else Arguments 57
Using if Statements 57
Operators 57
Special Syntax Considerations 58
Using if and else Together 59
Using Includes for Efficient Code 60
Using Functions for Efficient Code 62
All About Arrays 67
Array Syntax 67
Sorting Arrays 69
foreach Constructs 69
While You’re Here . . . 74
Alternate Syntax for PHP 78
Alternates to the <?php and ?> Tags 78
Alternates to the echo Command 78
Alternates to Logical Operators 79