Rating: 
Summary: Clear, conversational, makes PHP look easy.
Review: I wasn't going to review this book until I read Robert Peters' review. It is factually incorrect. I had to respond. I can only guess that Robert got a copy of the FIRST edition, which apparently ... This second edition is great.First, Robert suggests that the book is "just a fat manual that lists functions" -- like a reference. Part 2 of the book is indeed titled "Functional Reference" and consists of 450 pages of functions (with sample code for most functions, organized into logical sections, like "Image Functions" and "Database Functions"). However, the book has THREE other parts, consisting of 300 more pages! Part 1 is titled "An Introduction To PHP" (7 chapters, about 120 pages). It teaches the fundamentals of programming, has tons of screenshots and sample code, and is written in a conversational style that makes it easy to understand the technical stuff. The author's explanation of variables (page 16) is good, and he also covers loops, functions, arrays, etc. If Robert's other criticism of the book, that "it won't teach you how to use the language" is true, then what is all of Part 1 for? Part 3 is titled "Algorithms" (5 chapters, about 100 pages). It steps you through real-world examples, and while none of the examples are huge (like "here's a complete e-commerce shopping cart solution"), they are all practical and can be combined to create what is needed. For instance, modify the discussion forum sample on pages 635-641, combine it with the code samples for session handling, and you could allow users to enter and store "preferences" for your Web site, or you could allow users to append comments to articles, like ZDnet does. Part 4 is titled "Software Engineering" (3 chapters, 80 pages). It addresses one of the big controversies with server-parsed HTML, and that is: "gasp, you've combined code with HTML!" The author talks about why it is an issue, and outlines different ways to embed PHP in HTML. I don't like his conclusion (turn everything into PHP and use "print" to output HTML), but I must admit I am elated to see someone discussing the issue. In conclusion, Robert's other criticisms of the book -- that it doesn't show how to "build dynamic web sites" and that the book doesn't explain how to use functions "within the context of a script" -- just shows he didn't bother to actually read it. Almost EVERY function has a code sample. And almost ALL the database examples are used precisely for building dynamic Web sites. Perhaps Robert thinks "dynamic Web sites" is the same as "Dynamic HTML" -- if so, he should get a book on JavaScript and leave Core PHP Programming to those of us who are ready to learn about database-driven sites. Because as far as I'm concerned, this book is great for learning and using PHP. Better than the PHP Bible.
Rating: 
Summary: Another B(c)ORE PHP book
Review: Tepid once again, basically a simple rehash of stuff you can get for free elsewhere. The Wrox and New Riders PHP books are much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Misleading Title
Review: I'm an beginning PHP user. From the title, I expected a how to book that would include tutorials on how to "build dynamic web sites." Surprise! It's just a fat manual that lists functions, etc., but is not explanatory about how to use them within the context of a script. This may be a great reference for a PHP programmer, but it won't teach you how to use the language.
Rating:
Summary: Best php book i've ever see
Review: this book contains several subjects of php and it's really best book source for me. the book's cd-rom material is really amazing. it's contains a lot of real-life runnable examples. otherWay, some subjects is well wrote at the book. such as 'how you can use php in your real applications?' or 'what is advantages of php' like as... you must read this book in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: Pass on This One
Review: I don't know about you, but when I read some of these reviews I tend to get the suspicion someone with a vested interest writes alot of these reveiws - giving themselves 5-stars in the process. Anyway, my advice is skip this book and get yourself Professional PHP programming from Wrox press. Another good one is Web Application Development with PHP4.
Rating:
Summary: May not be the best reference out there
Review: After having this book for a week, I have found several shortcomings with its content. The coverage of some topics is not as thorough as it should be. It covers the basics, but as soon as you face a challenge, you're pretty much on your own. Also, I have found several instances where the index of the book only gets you close to a topic. It might not be on the page that the index says it is on (for example, the File function is listed in the index on page 134, but actually appears on page 133). HTTP vars don't even appear in the index (and aren't covered too well in the online help that comes with PHP). The CD in the book includes PHP version 4.0.0, which has been superceded already, as well as the examples in the book, most of which are only a handful of lines long each. The publishers should have saved money by having a web site for the book that could stay up-to-date. Overall, I was quite disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Reference Book
Review: Overall a great book, especially for general reference on PHP. The only thing that could have been better was the coverage on Objects. It was only 7 pages long.
Rating:
Summary: Great PHP Reference (Not for Beginners)
Review: This book provides an excellent reference material. If you are looking for a book to teach you PHP, this isn't it. I would recommend the PHP Bible for introductory material. However, if you have programming experience and feel comfortable in scripting languages such as ASP and JSP this book will provide you with the most commonly used functions, their syntax, and what they do.
Rating:
Summary: Tepid, just Tepid
Review: Very very minimal addition to online documention. There are alot better PHP books out there.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: Leon Atkinson has done it again and better. Core PHP programming(second edition) has hundreds of useful working examples and covers the new 4.0 version of PHP. This is a must have resource.
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