Offering a step-by-step walk through understanding the three key open source technologies that form the basis for most active web servers, this book demonstrates how to quickly create a professional-looking, functional site using Apache Web server, the MySQL database system, and the PHP scripting language. You’ll take an in-depth look at why the combination of PHP, MySQL, and Apache has become so popular: flawless interaction, flexibility, customization, and cost, as well as their ability to run on both Linux and Windows servers.


With this guide, you'll quickly learn why the combination of PHP, Apache, and MySQL is rapidly becoming the most popular way to develop dynamic web sites. It gives you the best possible foundation for understanding how the core components work separately and together, enabling you to take full advantage of everything they have to offer.

You'll discover how to utilize the key features of these technologies as you follow two projects to create complete web sites. These projects take you through the basics, such as writing PHP code, building a MySQL database, filling the database with data, and showing specific information to your visitors. You'll then incorporate some of the more complex topics of working with PHP, Apache, and MySQL as you progress step by step through the development of each site.

When you've finished this book, you'll have a thorough understanding of the core concepts you need to become an effective developer. Plus you'll be able to create a well-designed, dynamic web site using freely available tools.

What you will learn from this book

* Installation and configuration of PHP, Apache, and MySQL
* Ways to avoid errors and how to handle them when they occur
* Techniques for creating, altering, and working with image files
* Steps for building a content management system
* How to monitor your web site through activity logs and error logs
* Setting up e-mail lists and handling user registrations
* Tips for adding e-commerce capabilities
* How to connect to MySQL from PHP

Who this book is for

This book is for PHP beginners who have some experience with web site development concepts and a basic working knowledge of HTML and CSS.

Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.