Learn PHP programming the quick and easy way! With PHP for the Web: Visual QuickStart Guide readers can start from the beginning to get a tour of the programming language, or look up specific tasks to learn just what they need to know. This task-based visual reference guide uses step-by-step instructions and plenty of screenshots to teach beginning and intermediate users this popular open-source scripting language. Author Larry Ullman guides readers through the ins and outs of both PHP 5 and PHP 7, and offers more efficient ways to tackle common needs. Both beginning users, who want a thorough introduction to the technology, and more intermediate users, who are looking for a convenient reference, will find what they need here--in straightforward language and through readily accessible examples. Easy visual approach uses demonstrations and real-world examples to guide you through dynamic web development using PHP and show you what to do step by step. Concise steps and explanations let you get up and running in no time. Essential reference guide keeps you coming back again and again. Whether you’re a programming newbie or an experienced veteran learning PHP for the first time, this book will teach you all you need to know, including the latest changes in PHP and more efficient ways to tackle common needs.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Chapter 1 Getting Started with PHP Basic HTML Syntax Basic PHP Syntax Using SFTP Testing Your Script Sending Text to the Browser Using the PHP Manual Sending HTML to the Browser Adding Comments to Scripts Basic Debugging Steps Review and Pursue Chapter 2 Variables What Are Variables? Variable Syntax Types of Variables Variable Values Understanding Quotation Marks Review and Pursue Chapter 3 HTML Forms and PHP Creating a Simple Form Choosing a Form Method Receiving Form Data in PHP Displaying Errors Error Reporting Manually Sending Data to a Page Review and Pursue Chapter 4 Using Numbers Creating the Form Performing Arithmetic Formatting Numbers Understanding Precedence Incrementing and Decrementing a Number Review and Pursue Chapter 5 Using Strings Creating the HTML Form Concatenating Strings Handling Newlines HTML and PHP Encoding and Decoding Strings Finding Substrings Replacing Parts of a String Review and Pursue Chapter 6 Control Structures Creating the HTML Form The if Conditional Validation Functions Using else More Operators Using elseif The Switch Conditional The for Loop Review and Pursue Chapter 7 Using Arrays What Is an Array? Creating an Array Adding Items to an Array Accessing Array Elements Creating Multidimensional Arrays Sorting Arrays Transforming Between Strings and Arrays Creating an Array from a Form Review and Pursue Chapter 8 Creating Web Applications Creating Templates Using External Files Using Constants Working with the Date and Time Handling HTML Forms with PHP, Revisited Making Forms Sticky Sending Email Output Buffering Manipulating HTTP Headers Review and Pursue Chapter 9 Cookies and Sessions What Are Cookies? Creating Cookies Reading from Cookies Adding Parameters to a Cookie Deleting a Cookie What Are Sessions? Creating a Session Accessing Session Variables Deleting a Session Review and Pursue Chapter 10 Creating Functions Creating and Using Simple Functions Creating and Calling Functions That Take Arguments Setting Default Argument Values Creating and Using Functions That Return a Value Understanding Variable Scope Review and Pursue Chapter 11 Files and Directories File Permissions Writing to Files Locking Files Reading from Files Handling File Uploads Navigating Directories Creating Directories Reading Files Incrementally Review and Pursue Chapter 12 Intro to Databases Introduction to SQL Connecting to MySQL MySQL Error Handling Creating a Table Inserting Data into a Database Securing Query Data Retrieving Data from a Database Deleting Data in a Database Updating Data in a Database Review and Pursue Chapter 13 Putting It All Together Getting Started Connecting to the Database Writing the User-Defined Function Creating the Template Logging In Logging Out Adding Quotes Listing Quotes Editing Quotes Deleting Quotes Creating the Home Page Review and Pursue Appendix A Installation and Configuration Appendix B Resources and Next Steps Index