The The PHP Workshop

Book excerpt: Get to grips with the fundamentals of PHP programming and learn to build dynamic, testable PHP web applications with the help of real-world examples and hands-on projects Key FeaturesStart building modern and testable PHP web applicationsMaster the basic syntax and fundamental features of PHPImplement object-oriented programming to write modular, well-structured codeBook Description Do you want to build your own websites, but have never really been confident enough to turn your ideas into real projects? If your web development skills are a bit rusty, or if you've simply never programmed before, The PHP Workshop will show you how to build dynamic websites using PHP with the help of engaging examples and challenging activities. This PHP tutorial starts with an introduction to PHP, getting you set up with a productive development environment. You will write, execute, and troubleshoot your first PHP script using a built-in templating engine and server. Next, you'll learn about variables and data types, and see how conditions and loops help control the flow of a PHP program. Progressing through the chapters, you'll use HTTP methods to turn your PHP scripts into web apps, persist data by connecting to an external database, handle application errors, and improve functionality by using third-party packages. By the end of this Workshop, you'll be well-versed in web application development, and have the knowledge and skills to creatively tackle your own ambitious projects with PHP. What you will learnSet up a development environment and write your first PHP scriptsUse inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism and other OOP conceptsUse HTTP and understand the request-response cycle of an applicationPerform file operations and interact with external databasesDeal with application errors and handle exceptionsUse third-party libraries and manage dependenciesConnect your application to web services to allow for data exchangeWho this book is for This book on PHP for beginners will help you if you're just getting started with PHP. Although prior programming experience is not necessary, a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will help you grasp the concepts covered more easily.