What is the best
a) PHP book?
b) MySQL book?
c) AJAX book?
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M$7 Answers
PHP:
http://www.amazon.com/MySQL-PHP-Database-Applications-Greenspan/dp/0764535374
MySQL:
http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596009762/
Ajax:
http://www.amazon.com/Ajax-Design-Patterns-Michael-Mahemoff/dp/0596101805/ref=pd_ts_b_17?ie=UTF8&s=books
(recommending an Ajax book is a bit tougher because it's still a bit new but this one is on my shelf)
Here is a somewhat non-direct answer:
1)
The thing that really makes most programming books great is their explanations and the way that the language is crafted. Since you've used each language for a few years, you likely know the basic constructs of programming (conditions, loops, arrays, functions, classes, etc) so you won't really benefit from what makes a programming book "the best".
2)
Traditionally however, the O'Reilly books have been outstanding. Industry experts are chosen to write these books and these pro's usually have a unique ability to describe things in easy to understand ways.
3)
I sugguest that you sign up for the Safari Bookshelf.
http://my.safaribooksonline.com/
In short, there is a HUGE selection of tech and programming books available. Why buy one when you can buy a whole warehouse full?
4)
Last, the best book that I own is my own. Well, it's not really a book so much as my personal repository of code snipits, classes, and references that I've carefully collected and maintained over the years.
I can't underestimate how valuable maintaining a code repository is. It's like a secret superpower that I was taught by a programmer much better than I.
This program here is a bit expensive but it does a nice job of forming a library: http://www.highdots.com/source-code-library/
Personally, I use a PHP program that I made for a school project. It's just a simple php/mysql database app but has evolved into a quick, dirty and functional copy-and-paste with comment code repository.
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M$
Track the "php", "mysql" and "ajax" (or probably jquery, yui or whatever your poison) tags on sites like delicious.com and programming.reddit.com to keep up to date on what's happening in those areas.
In terms of books I would recommend avoiding reference and how-to type guides and picking up the odd highly specific book where you're paying for a brain-dump from the author, not some generic dumbed-down introductory text.
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M$
I buy lots of programming books but find find that the O'Reilly Cookbooks are the ones that are the most help for me. They give solid examples of things I will use frequently in programming.
Ajax is a method, not a language in itself. Pick up a book on one of the javascript toolkits and you'll get more out of it. Personally, I love jQuery.
Opinion, ymmv.
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M$
1. PHP and MySQL by Example (Paperback)
by Ellie Quigley
http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Example-Ellie-Quigley/dp/0131875086
2.Web Database Applications with PHP and MySQL, Second Edition
Building Effective Database-Driven Web Sites
By Hugh E. Williams, David Lane
http://www.buy.com/prod/web-database-applications-with-php-mysql/q/loc/106/35210435.html
3.Build Your Own AJAX Web Applications
By Matthew Eernisse
http://www.sitepoint.com/books/ajax1/
4. AJAX and PHP: Building Responsive Web Applications (Paperback)
by Cristian Darie
http://www.amazon.com/AJAX-PHP-Building-Responsive-Applications/dp/1904811825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244672540&sr=1-1
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M$
Goodluck!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I have found the Deitel resource centers extremely helpful when reviewing various technology subjects. Well organized links to all types of resources, including book lists.
I also like the training at Lynda.com. A portion of each tutorial is free. Subscription is avaiable for $25 a month. So I see it as a good place to brush up or learn new things a couple of times a year.
Sue
Deitel Ajax Resource Center: http://www.deitel.com/ResourceCenters/Programming/Ajax/tabid/159/Default.as...
Deitel PHP Resource Center: http://www.deitel.com/ResourceCenters/Programming/PHP/tabid/800/Default.asp...
Deitel MySQL Resource Center: http://www.deitel.com/ResourceCenters/Software/MySQL/tabid/935/Default.aspx
Lynda Ajax Essentials: http://www.lynda.com/home/DisplayCourse.aspx?lpk2=480
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M$
Yeah, I think that one of the next big moves is going to be for offline storage available of webapps too.
Google Gears is in the right direction... but there really are a lot of scenarios where having data stored both in the cloud, on the client, and even in-between make sense to me.
I'd hug up to the AJAX book. It's very trendy to store and retrieve data without refreshing the entire page. But Safari 4 uses user stored databases too so being able to couple AJAX and SQL will be a valuable asset in the months to come.