Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: This was my first PHP/MySQL book
Comment: I purchased this book because I needed to use PHP and MySQL for a project at work. I never had any exposure to either before reading this book. By using this book and the w3schools website I was able to successful build a meager database and have a fully functioning php front end. It was very pleasing to see the project come to fruition and I have this book to thank for that. I used it mainly as a reference book. For example, I knew exactly what I wanted to do so I would search this book for an example of that and adapt the code to my situation. I didn't use this book to "learn PHP." I think you need to have a project to do in order to best use this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Bible for Web Programming!
Comment: First off let me address a common review, that the book is too advanced for beginners. Plain and simple, it is not beginning programming, it's beginning PHP and MySQL. To even know what these applications are, you should have some programming background anyhow.
That said, even if you don't have any prior experience, the book does a great job of introducing you to the key concepts, and is flooded with examples, the best way to learn.
This book has become my programming bible, but it maintains a great balance. It has everything you could ever wish to look up later (and you will), but still follows a nice rhetoric and flow for someone looking for a tutorial-esque book. Some of the examples he wrote are key frameworks in my website! I actually used his book as my main source to build my website from the ground up. Even if it doesn't have something, it arms you with enough knowledge to know the right questions to ask. Which leads me to the greatest part of all... he backs his product!
I battled a bug for over 4 months that I was unable to solve from searching anywhere on the Internet. It's then I remembered that he listed his E-Mail address in the book and challenged readers to contact him if they needed help! Not expecting a response, I was shocked when he speedily replied that day, and solved my problem finally to boot!
To sum up: Not necessarily for beginners period, great for programmers beginning PHP and MySQL, the only book you should have to buy, and a very supportive author.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Great amount of depth, not so much context
Comment: This is a great reference book. It delves very deep into both PHP and MySQL. One thing I found lacking was some context. Practical examples so that I can see what I've learned being implemented in real world applications.
Other books that do not get so deep often include these types of exercises and I find them extremely helpful to gain a true understanding of the material.
In my opinion, if this book included excerises, case studies, etc.. it would be perfect.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Definitive text on the subject
Comment: There are a good many texts on this subject, but not definitive like this one. A lot of technical writers have a tendency to get so bogged down with details they leave the readers behind and frustrated. What Jason does is present the material in a fresh and CONCISE fashion. He doesn't spend paragraph after paragraph beating a subject to death or flinging out stale descriptors; he simply breaks it down into the basic components and tags on "nuggets of wisdom" that help you avoid pitfalls as he builds on the material. Right from the beginning, he engages us with the why and what of programming PHP against a MySQL backend, and then he's off and running. No long-winded chapters, just straightforward information. This is what all technical books should strive to achieve.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not good, Not Bad.
Comment: it's thick really. And can't blame the accuracy as technology changes . There are errors i found , and couldn't resolve. If only he has a support forum , it'll be better . This book expects you to have some knowledge in PHP. And like some say, it's implementation to a website and turorial is little or near to zero.Should include more samples of cases. you have to figure out your own. it's more like a textbook than a self-learn book. It's good for reference. I suggest who is really new ,in PHP - look for other that is easier to read ,and more novice-like.This book should help in your advance to professional stage.
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