I just wanted to say a huge thanks to Larry for writing the book "PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites" (I have the 4th edition).
To give a little history - I started using PHP about 10 years ago when I was asked to create a portal for some members of a small department that wanted to share information relating to health care. I initially looked at creating a static HTML site but soon came across PHPNuke. I know this particular CMS has had better days but for me 10 years ago it was revolutionary.
I managed to set up a website and installed PHPNuke (including the database on MySQL). I was hooked from that point.
However, I have become lazy over the years and although I have always wanted to create my own dynamic site, I have always stuck to using CMS/Portals (such as WordPress, Drupal, Joomla etc.) and never moved on.
Now, don't get me wrong - these PHP based scripts are excellent and I will continue to use them but I have always just amended code within an already written script and never actually created a site of my own (from scratch) - although I would consider myself an intermediate PHP programmer (I use C# and .Net at work). Even after reading numerous books on the subject I still felt as though I was missing the glue that held everything together. I understood everything about XHTML, CSS, PHP, MYSQL, SESSIONS, COOKIES etc but could never join all the dots to make something work - so I was stuck in a sort of "head knowledge" state.
That is changing now - thanks to the book above. This book is excellent and I am finally joining the dots and have a new found excitement for the language again.
Thanks Larry - I don't know what makes your book so different and usable - but it is - and it's working. I have already purchased the Advanced book on the subject for the next stage of my journey.
I look forward to updating you all on my progress.
Thanks again :-)
