PHP and MySQL: From Novice to Ninja

Introduction

The book "PHP & MySQL: Novice to Ninja" (seventh edition, 2021) by Tom Butler and Kevin Yank is one of the most popular practical guides to web development using PHP with MySQL. Despite the fact that the site pythonlib.ru is dedicated to Python, this book deserves the attention of anyone who wants to understand how dynamic websites and databases work, as well as compare approaches of different languages. The authors are recognized experts: Kevin Yank was the editor-in-chief of SitePoint for many years, and Tom Butler is an experienced PHP developer and teacher. The book has been translated into Russian as "PHP и MySQL: с нуля до профи".

What the book is about

This is a comprehensive course that takes the reader from an absolute beginner to a level that allows them to create full-fledged web applications. The main focus is on the practical application of PHP and MySQL for developing dynamic websites. The book covers:

• PHP basics: syntax, variables, arrays, functions, control structures.
• Working with MySQL: creating databases, tables, writing queries (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE).
• PHP interaction with MySQL via PDO and MySQLi.
• Security: protection against SQL injection, XSS attacks, password hashing.
• Creating a complete project — a content management system (CMS) for a blog.
• Modern practices: MVC approach, working with forms, sessions, cookies.
• Deploying an application on a hosting server.

Who this book is for

The book is aimed at beginning web developers who are already familiar with the basics of HTML and CSS but have no experience in server-side programming. It will also be useful for those who want to systematize their knowledge of PHP and MySQL, moving from writing "scripts" to creating structured applications. Experienced developers in other languages (e.g., Python) will find in this book a quick way to master the PHP stack.

What the reader will learn

• How to set up a local development environment (XAMPP, MAMP, Docker).
• Basics of object-oriented programming in PHP.
• Principles of building secure web applications.
• Working with forms, data validation, file uploads.
• Creating and using custom functions and classes.
• Optimizing database queries.
• Developing a simple REST API.
• Basics of templating (without using third-party engines).

Strengths

Practical focus. Each chapter contains code examples that can be run immediately. At the end of the book, the reader creates a full-fledged project — a blog with the ability to add, edit, and delete articles.

Relevance. The seventh edition (2021) covers PHP 8, new language features (attributes, union types, named arguments), and modern security practices.

Clear language. The authors avoid excessive academicism, explaining complex concepts in simple terms with real-life examples.

Structure. The book is built on the principle of "from simple to complex." Each chapter builds on the previous one, allowing the reader not to lose the thread.

Community support. Additional materials, a forum, and updates are available on the SitePoint publisher's website.

Who it is recommended for

The book will be useful for:

• Beginners in web development who want to quickly start creating dynamic websites.
• Students and teachers of PHP courses.
• Developers in other languages (Python, Java, C#) who want to learn PHP for freelancing or work.
• Anyone who wants to understand how CMS (WordPress, Joomla) work from the inside.

If you are already an experienced PHP developer, the book may seem too basic, but as a reference on modern PHP 8 features, it is quite suitable.

Conclusion

"PHP and MySQL: From Novice to Ninja" is an excellent choice for those who want to master one of the most in-demand stacks in web development.