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Reading List Recommendations for PHP, MySQL and JavaScript

From a technical perspective, books that try to teach and MySQL tend to be stronger and more accurate than other web development manuals: unlike browsers and HTML, servers are not forgiving of poorly written PHP. The complex nature of server-side languages also makes communicating their technicalities challenging. Obviously I’m trying to do the best I can in this blog, but if you wanted a traditional book, I would recommend that you read one from the list below.

PHP for the WebIn my experience, books on tend to be weaker; they’ll often take you through dozens of lines of code to create an effect that is now best left to , or (alternatively) a few lines of or another JavaScript framework.

The Peachpit series have been a favourite of mine for a long time; they are somewhat technically competent, well-written, and relatively inexpensive.

DOM ScriptingFor an introduction to PHP I would recommend that you start with PHP for the Web: Visual QuickStart Guide, a well-written and approachable book that steps you through installing Apache and PHP and starts with some simple scripts. If you want something more in-depth (and a book that covers the content of more of my classes, if you are taking them), I would suggest PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide.

For JavaScript, I recommend DOM Scripting: Web Design with JavaScript and the Document Object Model. I have yet to find a book that better explains the role of JavaScript in manipulating the DOM… but as always, if you have suggestions, they are very welcome in the comment section below.

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by JoelB in Goodbye, JQuery Validation: HTML5 Form Errors With CSS3

what i'm reading

A Storm of Swords: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Three
A Storm of Swords: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Three

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Californication: The Third Season
Californication: The Third Season

what i'm playing

Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition
Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition

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Dub FX
Dub FX

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