Welcome to Dynamic Websites with PHP and MySQL taught by Prof. J. Walker, Spring 2010, Truman College Continuing Education. If you are enrolled in this class please check this website frequently for announcements and new information. This class meets for seven consecutive Wednesdays in Room 3178 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. beginning January 27th.
Course Information
What is PHP?
From Webopedia: PHP Hypertext Preprocessor is a server-side, HTML embedded scripting language used to create dynamic Web pages.
In an HTML document, PHP script (similar syntax to that of Perl or C ) is enclosed within special PHP tags.
Because PHP is embedded within tags, the author can jump between HTML and PHP (similar to ASP and Cold Fusion) instead of having to rely on heavy amounts of code to output HTML. And, because PHP is executed on the server, the client cannot view the PHP code.
PHP can perform any task any CGI program can do, but its strength lies in its compatibility with many types of databases. Also, PHP can talk across networks using IMAP, SNMP, NNTP, POP3, or HTTP.
PHP was created sometime in 1994 by Rasmus Lerdorf. During mid 1997, PHP development entered the hands of other contributers. Two of them, Zeev Suraski and Andi Gutmans, rewrote the parser from scratch to create PHP version 3 (PHP3). Today, PHP is shipped standard with a number of Web servers, including RedHat Linux.
What is MySQL
From Webopedia:
Pronounced “my ess cue el” (each letter separately) and not “my SEE kwill.” MySQL is an open source RDBMS that relies on SQL for processing the data in the database. MySQL provides APIs for the languages C, C++, Eiffel, Java, Perl, PHP and Python. In addition, OLE DB and ODBC providers exist for MySQL data connection in the Microsoft environment. A MySQL .NET Native Provider is also available, which allows native MySQL to .NET access without the need for OLE DB.
MySQL is most commonly used for Web applications and for embedded applications and has become a popular alternative to proprietary database systems because of its speed and reliability. MySQL can run on UNIX, Windows and Mac OS.
MySQL is developed, supported and marketed by MySQL AB. The database is available for free under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) or for a fee to those who do not wish to be bound by the terms of the GPL.
Course Catalog Description
Dynamic Websites with PHP and MySQL
Create a dynamic, data-driven website using PHP and MySQL. We will use the latest PHP programming techniques to produce projects that are progressively more complex throughout the course. Students enrolling in this class must have a background in HTML and CSS. No other programming experience is necessary.
Instructor
Prof J. Walker
jwalker@ccc.edu
Office: 3850
Phone: (773) 907-4698
Website: JustOnly.com/web/dynamicweb/
Recommended Textbook
While there are many, many excellent books written about PHP PHP 5 in easy steps by Mike McGrath (ISBN:0-7607-6331-3) is an excellent beginners book with clear descriptions and fully illustrated. A website with all of the code available for download is also available.
Also Recommended
I love having the PHP Phrasebook by Christian Wenz (ISBN:0-672-32817-8) on my bookshelf for a quick, easy-to-use reference for basic php functions. The examples are very useful.
For more recommendations please visit the Just Only Bookstore