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PHP and MySQL Web Development?
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<em>PHP and MySQL</em> by Welling and Thomson is one of the best I've ever used. The old version was one of the first programming books that made sense to me.
Wow. Thanks for the list. Yep, that's pretty much what I had in mind - and I suppose I'm doing this to learn and to have a working system at the end of all of this. As for my knowledge, I'm NOT very smart in PHP or MySQL. I've been reading a book called PHP and MySQL Web Development it's long, but I hope to be familiar with the language as I take my time with it throughout my life.
Note: I am not a paid developer, but I have been using PHP in my life with my own projects for about 12 years.
> What books would you recommend me from which I'd start learning PHP?
To learn PHP I used PHP and MySQL Web Development. Get the 4th edition. The new 5th edition has had a lot removed from it. This book was my first programming book where everything 'clicked' because it walked me through the creation of a website, from start to finish.
> How well does PHP pair with JavaScript (i.e. how much is PHP used alongside JavaScript when writing code for a freelance job)?
They're independent of each other, but if you plan on getting into web development, I would say that JavaScript is a must. It's certainly possible to integrate the two to suit your needs.
> What other things should I learn in order to start writing PHP code for freelance jobs?
You seem worried about UI, so I would recommend learning Bootstrap. It handles a lot of the UI for you, and once you get a grip of 12 column design and adding icons beside your links (my personal preference), then your websites will have a lot of polish.
Since web design isn't your thing (yet) go and pick up a template. I used this one for my latest project: Skote. You can then rip it apart, learn how to generate the info you want and integrate it with the template front end.
I second what /u/treerabbit23 has said. Learning Laravel is next on my project list. I probably should have learned it a while ago. I usually use my own framework that I've built, but it's probably easier to use something that someone else maintains.
Best of luck!
I would suggest you reading some well written PHP books, although this is a bit old fashioned.
This is a damn good resource when you've got the basics down.. to start with I'd suggest PHP and MySQL Web Development http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Web-Development-4th/dp/0672329166 , or another 1200 - 1500 page tome.. The more practice you get with syntax and control flow the more you'll feel like a pig in shit when writing your own scripts. The 'Head-First' series has an amazing PHP introductory book if you're more of a visual learner. http://www.headfirstlabs.com/books/hfphp/
I recommend this book and Lynda.com videos. Check your local community college for classes as well. Surround yourself with options and find out what works best for you.
If you're looking for a general reference as well as OOP in PHP then I would recommend PHP and MYSQL Web Development.
PHP and MySQL Web Development (4th Edition) A really comprehensive book.
> I know some people have a hate on for this site (W3C schools)
I definitely have a hate on for that site.
I'd highly recommend this book. If you can't afford it at the moment, it's on thepiratebay. Support the authors though if you can.
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