Learning PHP is usually the first step into web programming. Its importance needs no explanation, but to give you an idea, some of the world’s most popular platforms rely on PHP in their technology stack. Businesses looking to build scalable web solutions often leverage professional Web App Development Services powered by PHP and related technologies. It is undoubtedly one of the most popular programming languages, and anyone planning to enter the world of web development should consider learning it.
If you are starting to learn PHP, there is an ocean of learning materials, but we can help save your time by finding the right material for you. We have selected some of the best PHP coding books that will transform you from a complete novice to a skilled professional in no time.
Key Takeaways:
Before listing the top PHP books for learning, here’s a little orientation on PHP itself.
Introduced by Rasmus Lerdorf, it stands for Hypertext Pre-processor.
It is an open-source, server-side scripting language that is easy to learn and can run on different operating systems such as Windows, LINUX, UNIX, and more. PHP can create static as well as dynamic websites and web applications. It not only connects the form data but also creates, reads, writes, closes, and deletes files on the server.
Learning PHP programming or developing PHP applications is not difficult. There are plenty of tutorials and detailed courses that can provide you a lot of useful insight on PHP. Also, there are several print books that you can purchase to learn about the programming language.
Here are a few of the best books that will broaden your knowledge of PHP programming.
Author: Rasmus Lerdorf
Programming PHP is an excellent resource for beginners. It works quite well for them as it covers all the concepts rather than minute details, which helps build up a strong foundation. It is a 540-page-long book especially recommended for people who are new to backend coding. The first chapter of the book covers all the basics of server-side code. This introductory book comes in handy in your pocket and is a great investment if you want a detailed introduction to the PHP language
Author: Josh Lockhart
If you are looking for a detailed beginner book, unlike the typical ones, Modern PHP is the right one for you. It covers everything with great detail, whether they are namespaces, objects, classes, or security concerns. If you know how to Google your questions correctly, then Modern PHP is looking to up your game right away. It is a definite yes for beginners. Besides, intermediate-level coders can also make the most of it because there are many topics in the book that go deeper than the level of beginners.
If you want to build a custom SaaS app or just edit a WordPress framework, this book is the right pick for you as it will help you learn whatever you need and give you in-depth information on everything you need to learn.
Author: Antonio Lopez
PHP 7 is the latest version of the PHP language, which is all set to improve speed and performance on all servers. PHP 7 is only about restructuring the backend and how objects, classes, and memory are handled, and does not have any major changes code-wise.
With this book, you can dive into the world of PHP 7 and get a grip on all the concepts and coding techniques. Not to forget, it is a beginner’s book and shouldn’t be a choice for semi-experienced coders. There are exercises given which are simple to follow. Learning PHP 7 will make learning fun for the programmers.
Author: Alan Forbes
For a lighter introduction to PHP, Joy of PHP Programming is the apt choice. As the name best describes it, the book is for absolute beginners to catch up quickly. Alan Forbes’ book has a very practical stance for learning PHP. It starts with some basic HTML and goes step-by-step as to how PHP actually works with a series of close-knit and fun-filled exercises.
The book provides great information on PHP and MYSQL. After completing the book, one can read, write, and modify PHP scripts and can make one’s own dynamic websites.
Author: Kevin Yank
This book will give a solid foundation on both PHP and MYSQL in the most convenient and readable manner. In this book, you can learn and explore some important and useful PHP elements such as regular expression/session management. It is highly recommended for beginners. Moreover, PHP & MYSQL contains an excellent chapter on structured programming.
This book is really good for beginners because it’s well-written, engaging, and covers the basics of PHP and MYSQL.
Author: Lynn Beighley & Michael Morrison
Head First PHP & MYSQL is the ultimate learning guide to building dynamic and database-driven websites. It is an 800-page-long book and contains wide-ranging topics, basic and advanced, on PHP and MYSQL coding such as form validation, cookies, database queries, file I/O operations, content management, and more. It is undoubtedly one of the best books for beginners.
Author: Robin Nixon
This book is the second edition of the top-selling guide to web development. This latest edition is easier to follow and has a large amount of information.
You can practice whatever you learn from this book with the review questions given at the end of each chapter. The book also describes a sample social networking platform built with the help of elements introduced in the book.
Author: Luke Welling & Laura Thompson
The book is a complete guide on how to make use of the PHP tools to create interactive and effective web applications. Every chapter in the book explains PHP from the beginning to the end and instantly moves over to MySQL. It explains the basics of the PHP language and how to set up a MySQL database. It also tells how PHP interacts with the database.
The book also contains excellent examples that demonstrate common PHP tasks. This book is, simply put, a crash course in PHP.
Author: Brett McLaughlin
This book will take you to the next level in PHP programming. Reading this book will help you learn content management, database creation, and interaction with users.
The book’s step-by-step tutorials will broaden your knowledge of server-side programming
Author: Vikram Vaswani
PHP: A Beginner’s Guide will help you understand how to write basic PHP programs with more advanced features such as MYSQL database integration, XML input, and third-party extensions.
Although it works well for beginners, I personally think it is also appropriate for intermediate-level learners because it covers sufficient information on software installations, language syntax, flow control routines, data structures, and built-in functions.
The right PHP book or guide can make learning easier and help you build your skills more quickly. From beginner-friendly introductions to advanced development techniques, these books provide valuable knowledge for every stage of the learning process. Connect with Arpatech today to discuss your PHP development requirements and project goals.
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