Ok, so im thinking of getting the Advanced PHP Programming by George Schlossnagle book, but do you know of anywhere that accepts paypal as a payment option?

Cheers :p

I'm a big fan of books published by Wrox in their Programmer to Programmer series. I started with Beginning PHP4 about 5 years ago and still look stuff up in it. I also have from them Beginning CSS and Professional AJAX, and wouldn't loan them out to anyone. These books can get pricey though, and when I don't feel like dropping 40 to 60 dollars (or more) on a book I get small "pocket reference" type books. Two books that are AWAYS on my desk right next to me are the PHP Phrasebook by Christian Wenz (also wrote a nice javascript phrasebook I keep on my shelf) and MySQL Crash Course by Ben Forta.

I started with Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using PHP & MySQL by Kevin Yank, its a sitepoint book. Personally speaking I thought this book was a superb introduction to PHP and shows you how to make a basic CMS. I also had and still use Beginning PHP and MySQL from Novice to Professional by Jason Gillmore, more in depth than the sitepoint book but its goal is to be a reference for beginners rather than showing you to to build something throughout the entire book as is the case with the sitepoint book. After reading this thread I think I will purchase the Advanced PHP Programming since I am looking to move forward.

I bought three or four including the Php cookbook when I started coding two years ago. Learned a Lot of basics and some technique. Since then I have just googled for examples of various routines. There's a wealth of information out there... and free!

I have:
Beginning PHP and MySQL 5
Upgrading to PHP 5
PHP 5
SQL

All pretty good books. Apart from 'PHP 5' and 'SQL' both lacked any depth.

I find that a lot of these so-called independent programming books lack a lot of detail. Whereas if you go for O'Reilly, etc. then you're going to get some quality books - usually.

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The man who comes back through the Door in the Wall will never be quite the same as the man who went out.

This one is well recomended in several places. I have just place an order for it. will let you know guys what i think when i finish it.

Matt

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http://www.mattvarone.com

Good choice, it's a great book, really opens your eyes to the ever growing list of subjects that are involved in advanced PHP development.

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Any fool can write code that a computer can understand. Good programmers write code that humans can understand.

Although it's a very involved book as it demands your devoted attention! You can't just take it for granted as it will swallow you whole.

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The man who comes back through the Door in the Wall will never be quite the same as the man who went out.

Glad to hear that Karl, im looking forward to give the next step in php, and this seemed a good way to start. its hard to find a well done guide on the internet, i usually end up felling like there's something more there that im missing so i hope this will give me more solid foundations and knowledge.

that sounds just about perfect for me :)

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http://www.mattvarone.com