In just a short time, students can learn how to use PHP, MySQL, and Apache together to create dynamic, interactive websites and applications using the three leading open-source web development technologies. Using a straightforward, step-by-step approach, each lesson in this book builds on the previous ones, enabling readers to learn the essentials of PHP scripting, MySQL databases, and the Apache web server from the ground up.

Part I: Web Application Basics

CHAPTER 1: Understanding How the Web Works A Brief History of HTML and the World Wide Web Creating Web Content Understanding Web Content Delivery Selecting a Web Hosting Provider Testing with Multiple Web Browsers Creating a Sample File Using FTP to Transfer Files Understanding Where to Place Files on the Web Server CHAPTER 2: Structuring HTML and Using Cascading Style Sheets Getting Started with a Simple Web Page HTML Tags Every Web Page Must Have Using Hyperlinks in Web Pages Organizing a Page with Paragraphs and Line Breaks Organizing Your Content with Headings Understanding Semantic Elements How CSS Works A Basic Style Sheet A CSS Style Primer Using Style Classes Using Style IDs Internal Style Sheets and Inline Styles CHAPTER 3: Understanding the CSS Box Model and Positioning The CSS Box Model The Whole Scoop on Positioning Controlling the Way Things Stack Up Managing the Flow of Text Understanding Fixed Layouts Understanding Fluid Layouts Creating a Fixed/Fluid Hybrid Layout Considering a Responsive Web Design CHAPTER 4: Introducing JavaScript Learning Web Scripting Basics How JavaScript Fits into a Web Page Exploring JavaScript's Capabilities Basic JavaScript Language Concepts JavaScript Syntax Rules Using Comments Best Practices for JavaScript Understanding JSON Using the JavaScript Console to Debug JavaScript CHAPTER 5: Introducing PHP How PHP Works with a Web Server The Basics of PHP Scripts Code Blocks and Browser Output

Part II: Getting Started with Dynamic Websites CHAPTER 6: Understanding Dynamic Websites and HTML5 Applications Refresher on the Different Types of Scripting Displaying Random Content on the Client Side Understanding the Document Object Model Using window Objects Working with the document Object Accessing Browser History Working with the location Object More About the DOM Structure Working with DOM Nodes Creating Positionable Elements (Layers) Hiding and Showing Objects Modifying Text Within a Page Adding Text to a Page Changing Images Based on User Interaction Thinking Ahead to Developing HTML5 Applications CHAPTER 7: JavaScript Fundamentals: Variables, Strings, and Arrays Using Variables Understanding Expressions and Operators Data Types in JavaScript Converting Between Data Types Using String Objects Working with Substrings Using Numeric Arrays Using String Arrays Sorting a Numeric Array CHAPTER 8: JavaScript Fundamentals: Functions, Objects, and Flow Control Using Functions Introducing Objects Using Objects to Simplify Scripting Extending Built-in Objects Using the Math Object Working with Math Methods Working with Dates The if Statement Using Shorthand Conditional Expressions Testing Multiple Conditions with if and else Using Multiple Conditions with switch Using for Loops Using while Loops Using do…while Loops Working with Loops Looping Through Object Properties CHAPTER 9: Understanding JavaScript Event Handling Understanding Event Handlers Using Mouse Events Using Keyboard Events Using the load and unload Events CHAPTER 10: The Basics of Using jQuery Using Third-Party JavaScript Libraries jQuery Arrives on the Scene Preparing to Use jQuery Becoming Familiar with the $().ready Handler Selecting DOM and CSS Content Manipulating HTML Content Putting the Pieces Together to Create a jQuery Animation Handling Events with jQuery

Part III: Taking Your Web Applications to the Next Level CHAPTER 11: AJAX: Remote Scripting Introducing AJAX Using XMLHttpRequest Creating a Simple AJAX Library Creating an AJAX Quiz Using the Library Debugging AJAX-Based Applications Using jQuery's Built-in Functions for AJAX CHAPTER 12: PHP Fundamentals: Variables, Strings, and Arrays Variables Data Types Using Expressions and Operators Constants Understanding Arrays Creating Arrays Some Array-Related Constructs and Functions CHAPTER 13: PHP Fundamentals: Functions, Objects, and Flow Control Calling Functions Defining a Function Returning Values from User-Defined Functions Understanding Variable Scope Saving State Between Function Calls with the static Statement More About Arguments Testing for the Existence of a Function Creating an Object Object Inheritance Switching Flow Implementing Loops CHAPTER 14: Working with Cookies and User Sessions Introducing Cookies Setting a Cookie Deleting a Cookie Overview of Server-Side Sessions Working with Session Variables Destroying Sessions and Unsetting Session Variables Using Sessions in an Environment with Registered Users CHAPTER 15: Working with Web-Based Forms How HTML Forms Work Creating a Form Accepting Text Input Naming Each Piece of Form Data Labeling Each Piece of Form Data Grouping Form Elements Exploring Form Input Controls Using HTML5 Form Validation Submitting Form Data Accessing Form Elements with JavaScript Accessing Form Elements with PHP Using Hidden Fields to Save State in Dynamic Forms Sending Mail on Form Submission

Part IV: Integrating a Database into Your Applications CHAPTER 16: Understanding the Database Design Process The Importance of Good Database Design Types of Table Relationships Understanding Normalization Following the Design Process CHAPTER 17: Learning Basic SQL Commands Learning the MySQL Data Types Learning the Table-Creation Syntax Using the INSERT Statement Using the SELECT Statement Using WHERE in Your Queries Selecting from Multiple Tables Using the UPDATE Statement to Modify Records Using the REPLACE Statement Using the DELETE Statement Frequently Used String Functions in MySQL Using Date and Time Functions in MySQL CHAPTER 18: Interacting with MySQL Using PHP MySQL or MySQLi? Connecting to MySQL with PHP Working with MySQL Data

Part V: Getting Started with Application Development CHAPTER 19: Creating a Simple Discussion Forum Designing the Database Tables Creating an Include File for Common Functions Creating the Input Forms and Scripts Displaying the Topic List Displaying the Posts in a Topic Adding Posts to a Topic Modifying the Forum Display with JavaScript CHAPTER 20: Creating an Online Storefront Planning and Creating the Database Tables Displaying Categories of Items Displaying Items Using JavaScript with an Online Storefront CHAPTER 21: Creating a Simple Calendar Building a Simple Display Calendar Creating the Calendar in JavaScript CHAPTER 22: Managing Web Applications Understanding Some Best Practices in Web Application Development Writing Maintainable Code Implementing Version Control in Your Work Understanding the Value and Use of Code Frameworks

Appendixes APPENDIX A: Installation QuickStart Guide with XAMPP APPENDIX B: Installing and Configuring MySQL APPENDIX C: Installing and Configuring Apache APPENDIX D: Installing and Configuring PHP