PHP for Beginners: How to Master the Web's Most Popular Language in 2023
- The benefits and features of PHP - The popularity and demand of PHP H2: How to choose the best PHP book for beginners? - The criteria and factors to consider - The types and formats of PHP books - The sources and reviews of PHP books H2: Top 10 PHP books for beginners in 2023 - A table with the book title, author, rating, and link - A brief summary and review of each book H2: How to download PHP books for free? - The legal and ethical issues of downloading books - The best websites and platforms to download books - The steps and tips to download books safely and easily H2: Conclusion - A summary of the main points and takeaways - A call to action and a recommendation H2: FAQs - Five frequently asked questions and answers about PHP books # Article with HTML formatting PHP Best Book for Beginner PDF Download
If you are interested in learning PHP, one of the most popular and powerful programming languages in the web development world, you might be wondering what is the best book to start with. There are hundreds of PHP books available online, but not all of them are suitable for beginners or updated to the latest version of PHP. In this article, we will help you find the best PHP book for beginners in 2023, and show you how to download it for free in PDF format.
php best book for beginner pdf download
What is PHP and why learn it?
PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, which is a recursive acronym that reflects the dynamic nature of the language. PHP is a server-side scripting language that can be embedded in HTML and used to create dynamic and interactive web pages. PHP was created in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf, who initially wrote a set of CGI scripts in C to maintain his personal homepage. He later released the code as "Personal Home Page Tools" or PHP Tools, which evolved into PHP/FI (PHP/Form Interpreter) and then PHP 3, 4, 5, and 7.
PHP has many benefits and features that make it a great choice for web development. Some of them are:
PHP is easy to learn and use. It has a simple and expressive syntax that resembles natural languages like English. It also has many built-in functions and libraries that simplify common tasks such as database access, file handling, session management, email sending, etc.
PHP is flexible and powerful. It can be used to create any type of web application, from simple static websites to complex e-commerce platforms. It can also be integrated with other technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, JSON, AJAX, etc.
PHP is fast and efficient. It runs on a web server and executes faster than other scripting languages such as Perl or Python. It also has various caching mechanisms and optimization tools that improve its performance and scalability.
PHP is open source and free. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which means anyone can use, modify, and distribute it without any restrictions or fees. It also has a large and active community of developers who contribute to its development and support.
PHP is popular and in demand. It is used by millions of websites around the world, including some of the most visited ones such as Facebook, Wikipedia, WordPress, etc. It is also one of the most sought-after skills in the job market, with thousands of vacancies for PHP developers every year.
How to choose the best PHP book for beginners?
Choosing the best PHP book for beginners can be a challenging task, as there are many factors and criteria to consider. Some of them are:
The level of difficulty. You should look for a book that matches your current level of knowledge and experience with programming in general and PHP in particular. You should avoid books that are too advanced or too basic for you, as they might confuse you or bore you.
The scope and coverage. You should look for a book that covers the essential topics and concepts of PHP, such as syntax, variables, data types, operators, control structures, functions, arrays, strings, objects, classes, inheritance, etc. You should also look for a book that introduces you to some of the common applications and frameworks of PHP, such as web forms, databases, cookies, sessions, security, etc.
The style and format. You should look for a book that has a clear and concise writing style, with plenty of examples and exercises to illustrate and practice the concepts. You should also look for a book that has a logical and coherent structure, with chapters and sections that are well organized and easy to follow.
The quality and accuracy. You should look for a book that is updated to the latest version of PHP, which is PHP 7 as of 2023. You should also look for a book that is error-free and bug-free, with correct and consistent code and output.
The source and review. You should look for a book that is written by a reputable and experienced author or publisher, who has a good reputation and credibility in the PHP community. You should also look for a book that has positive and honest feedback and reviews from other readers and users, who can attest to its quality and usefulness.
There are also different types of PHP books available online, such as:
Printed books. These are physical books that you can buy from bookstores or online shops. They have the advantage of being durable and portable, but they have the disadvantage of being expensive and outdated.
E-books. These are digital books that you can download from websites or platforms. They have the advantage of being cheap and updated, but they have the disadvantage of being dependent on devices and internet access.
PDF books. These are e-books that are formatted in PDF (Portable Document Format), which is a universal file format that can be viewed on any device or software. They have the advantage of being easy to read and print, but they have the disadvantage of being hard to edit and modify.
Top 10 PHP books for beginners in 2023
Based on the criteria and factors mentioned above, we have selected the top 10 PHP books for beginners in 2023. Here is a table with the book title, author, rating, and link:
Book Title Author Rating Link --- --- --- --- PHP & MySQL: The Missing Manual Brett McLaughlin 4.5/5 https://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Missing-Manual-Second/dp/1449325572 Learning PHP: A Gentle Introduction to the Web's Most Popular Language David Sklar 4.4/5 https://www.amazon.com/Learning-PHP-Gentle-Introduction-Popular/dp/1491933577 PHP: The Complete Reference Steven Holzner 4.3/5 https://www.amazon.com/PHP-Complete-Reference-Steven-Holzner/dp/0071508546 Head First PHP & MySQL: A Brain-Friendly Guide Lynn Beighley & Michael Morrison 4.2/5 https://www.amazon.com/Head-First-PHP-MySQL-Brain-Friendly/dp/0596006306 PHP for Absolute Beginners Jason Lengstorf & Thomas Blom Hansen 4.1/5 https://www.amazon.com/PHP-Absolute-Beginners-Jason-Lengstorf/dp/1430268158 PHP Cookbook: Solutions & Examples for PHP Programmers David Sklar & Adam Trachtenberg 4/5 https://www.amazon.com/PHP-Cookbook-Solutions-Examples-Programmers/dp/144936375X Modern PHP: New Features and Good Practices Josh Lockhart 3.9/5 https://www.amazon.com/Modern-PHP-Features-Good-Practices/dp/1491905018 PHP & MySQL For Dummies Janet Valade 3.8/5 https://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Dummies-Janet-Valade/dp/0470527587 Learning PHP 7: A Pain-Free Introduction to Building Interactive Web Sites Antonio Lopez 3.7/5 https://www.amazon.com/Learning-PHP-Pain-Free-Introduction-Interactive/dp/1491933577 Here is a brief summary and review of each book:
PHP & MySQL: The Missing Manual. This book is a comprehensive and practical guide to building dynamic and database-driven websites using PHP and MySQL. It covers the basics of PHP syntax and programming, as well as the advanced topics of object-oriented programming, security, testing, debugging, etc. It also teaches you how to use MySQL to store and manipulate data, and how to use PHP to interact with MySQL. The book is full of examples and exercises that help you learn by doing. It also includes a reference section that summarizes the most important PHP and MySQL functions and features.
Learning PHP: A Gentle Introduction to the Web's Most Popular Language. This book is a gentle and friendly introduction to PHP for beginners who have some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS. It covers the essential concepts and skills of PHP, such as variables, data types, operators, control structures, functions, arrays, strings, etc. It also introduces you to some of the common applications and frameworks of PHP, such as web forms, databases, cookies, sessions, security, etc. The book is easy to read and understand, with clear explanations and examples. It also includes quizzes and exercises that test your knowledge and reinforce your learning.
PHP: The Complete Reference. This book is a comprehensive and authoritative reference for PHP programmers of all levels. It covers the core features and functions of PHP, as well as the latest developments and innovations in PHP 7. It also covers the best practices and techniques for developing high-quality and secure web applications using PHP. The book is well-organized and well-written, with detailed descriptions and examples. It also includes appendices that provide useful information on topics such as regular expressions, XML processing, web services, etc.
Head First PHP & MySQL: A Brain-Friendly Guide. This book is a fun and engaging way to learn PHP and MySQL for beginners who want to create dynamic and interactive web pages. It uses a unique and innovative approach that combines visuals, humor, stories, puzzles, games, etc. to stimulate your brain and make learning enjoyable and effective. It covers the fundamental topics and concepts of PHP and MySQL, as well as some of the advanced topics such as object-oriented programming, security, validation, etc. The book is full of challenges and exercises that help you apply what you learn and solve real-world problems.
PHP for Absolute Beginners. This book is a simple and straightforward introduction to PHP for beginners who have no prior experience with programming or web development. It covers the basic topics and concepts of PHP, such as syntax, variables, data types, operators, control structures, functions, arrays, strings, etc. It also covers some of the common applications and frameworks of PHP, such as web forms, databases, cookies, sessions, security, etc. The book is clear and concise, with easy-to-follow examples and exercises. It also includes a glossary and a reference section that explain the key terms and features of PHP.
PHP Cookbook: Solutions & Examples for PHP Programmers. This book is a collection of solutions and examples for PHP programmers who want to solve specific problems or learn new techniques using PHP. It covers a wide range of topics and scenarios related to web development using PHP, such as data manipulation, validation, authentication, caching, testing, debugging, etc. The book is organized by categories and subcategories, with each recipe containing a problem statement, a solution code, an explanation, and a discussion. The book is practical and useful, with code snippets that can be easily adapted and reused.
Modern PHP: New Features and Good Practices. This book is a guide to the new features and good practices of PHP 7 for experienced PHP programmers who want to improve their skills and knowledge using the latest version of PHP. It covers the new features and enhancements of PHP 7 such as scalar type declarations, return type declarations, null coalescing operator, spaceship operator, generator delegation, anonymous classes, etc. It also covers the best practices and techniques for developing modern and professional web applications using PHP 7 such as dependency injection, interfaces, traits, namespaces, autoloading, PSR standards, composer, etc. The book is informative and insightful, with clear explanations and examples.
PHP & MySQL For Dummies. This book is a friendly and easy-to-understand introduction to PHP and MySQL for beginners who want to create dynamic and database-driven websites. It covers the basics of PHP syntax and programming, as well as the basics of MySQL database design and management. It also covers some of the common applications and frameworks of PHP and MySQL such as web forms, cookies, sessions, security, etc. The book is written in a humorous and conversational style, with tips, tricks, and warnings that help you avoid common pitfalls and mistakes. It also includes quizzes and exercises that help you check your understanding and practice your skills.
Learning PHP 7: A Pain-Free Introduction to Building Interactive Web Sites. This book is a pain-free introduction to PHP 7 for beginners who have some familiarity with HTML and CSS. It covers the essential topics and concepts of PHP 7 such as syntax, variables, data types, operators, control structures, functions, arrays, strings, objects, classes, inheritance, etc. It also covers some of the common applications and frameworks of PHP 7 such as web forms, databases, cookies, sessions, security, etc. The book is written in a clear and simple language, with plenty of examples and exercises that help you learn by doing. It also includes a reference section that summarizes the most important PHP 7 functions and features.
PHP in Action: Objects, Design, Agility. This book is a guide to object-oriented programming, design patterns, and agile development using PHP for intermediate to advanced PHP programmers who want to take their skills and knowledge to the next level. It covers the core principles and practices of object-oriented programming such as encapsulation, polymorphism, inheritance, abstraction, etc. It also covers the most common and useful design patterns such as singleton, factory, observer, strategy, etc. It also covers the agile development methodologies such as test-driven development, refactoring, continuous integration, etc. The book is well-written and well-structured, with real-world examples and case studies that illustrate and demonstrate the concepts and techniques.
How to download PHP books for free?
If you want to download PHP books for free in PDF format, you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues involved. Downloading books without the permission or consent of the author or publisher is considered piracy and copyright infringement, which can have serious consequences such as fines or lawsuits. You should also be careful of the quality and security of the books you download, as some of them might be outdated, inaccurate, or infected with malware.
However, there are some legitimate and safe ways to download PHP books for free in PDF format. Some of them are:
Open source books. These are books that are released under an open source license such as GPL or Creative Commons, which allows anyone to use, modify, and distribute them freely. Some examples of open source PHP books are Practical PHP Programming by Paul Hudson (https://www.tuxradar.com/practicalphp) and PHP 5 Power Programming by Andi Gutmans et al. (https://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/013147149X/downloads/013147149X_book.pdf).
Free samples or chapters. These are parts of books that are offered for free by the author or publisher as a way to promote or preview the book. Some examples of free samples or chapters of PHP books are Learning PHP 7 by Antonio Lopez (https://www.packtpub.com/free-ebook/learning-php-7/9781785880544) and Head First PHP & MySQL by Lynn Beighley & Michael Morrison (https://www.headfirstlabs.com/books/hfphp/).
Free e-book platforms or websites. These are platforms or websites that offer free e-books in various formats including PDF. Some examples of free e-book platforms or websites for PHP books are PDF Drive (https://www.pdfdrive.com/search?q=php&pagecount=&pubyear=&searchin=&em=) and Free-Ebooks.net (https://www.free-ebooks.net/search/php).
To download PHP books for free in PDF format from these sources, you need to follow these steps:
Find the book you want to download from the source you prefer.
Click on the link or button that says "Download" or "Read Online".
Select the format you want to download (PDF in this case).
Save the file to your device or open it with your preferred software.
Some tips to download books safely and easily are:
Check the file size and extension before downloading. A PDF file should have a .pdf extension and a reasonable file size (not too big or too small).
Conclusion
In this article, we have helped you find the best PHP book for beginners in 2023, and showed you how to download it for free in PDF format. We have covered the following topics:
What is PHP and why learn it?
How to choose the best PHP book for beginners?
Top 10 PHP books for beginners in 2023.
How to download PHP books for free?
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article and learned something useful and interesting. PHP is a great language to learn and use for web development, and there are many books that can help you master it. Whether you prefer printed books, e-books, or PDF books, you can find the one that suits your needs and preferences. Happy reading and coding!
If you have any questions or comments about this article, feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you and help you out. Also, if you liked this article, please share it with your friends and colleagues who might be interested in learning PHP. Thank you for your time and attention.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about PHP books:
Q: What is the best way to learn PHP?A: There is no one best way to learn PHP, as different people have different learning styles and preferences. However, some of the common and effective ways to learn PHP are: reading books, watching videos, taking courses, doing tutorials, practicing exercises, joining forums, etc.
Q: How long does it take to learn PHP?A: It depends on many factors such as your prior knowledge and experience with programming and web development, your learning pace and style, your goals and expectations, etc. However, a general estimate is that it takes about 6 months to a year to learn the basics of PHP and be able to create simple web applications.
Q: What are some of the best resources to learn PHP?A: There are many resources available online and offline to learn PHP. Some of them are: books (such as the ones we have reviewed in this article), websites (such as https://www.php.net/, https://www.w3schools.com/php/, https://www.tutorialspoint.com/php/, etc.), videos (such as https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4cUxeGkcC9gksOX3Kd9KPo-O68ncT05o, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0eyrZgxdwhwBToawjm9faF1ixePexft-, etc.), courses (such as https://www.udemy.com/course/php-for-beginners-how-to-build-an-ecommerce-store/, https://www.coursera.org/specializations/php-mysql-web-development, etc.), tutorials (such as https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-php, https://www.learn-php.org/, etc.), exercises (such as https://www.w3resource.com/php-exercises/, https://exercism.io/tracks/php, etc.), forums (such as https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/php, https://www.reddit.com/r/PHP/, etc.).
Q: What are some of the best IDEs or editors for PHP?A: An IDE (Integrated Development Environme