Kevin's Book is Released: Get Your Copy Today

[Dan_K]

Just recieved my book! Looks good!
Worth every penny!

-Dan

[Dan_K]

Does anybody know of a free host that suports PHP and SQL so i can practise?

-Dan

[Technosailor]

If you are on eithe Windows or Linux you can practice on your own machine! Follow Kev's instructions in Chapter 1 on setting both PHP and MySQL up. If you're running Windows, chances are you have access to Microsoft's Personal Web Server or IIS, however if you wish to install the Apache webserver for your own use, KEv's given instruction on doing that too!

Good luck.

Sketch

[Kevin Yank]

My sentiments exactly, Sketch.

-Kev.

[Dan_K]

I'm having problems connecting to a MySQL data base as described in pages 52-54.

My code (no password for security reasons)____________

<?php
mysql_connect("localhost", "daniel", "pass");
$dbcnx = mysql_connect("localhost", "daniel", "pass");
$dbcnx= @mysql_connect("localhost","daniel","pass");
if (!dbcnx) {
echo("can't connect to database server");
exit();
}
mysql_select_db("jokes", $dbcnx);

if(! @mysql_select_db("jokes") ) {
echo( "unable to locate jokes database");
exit ();
}
mysql_query(query, connection_id);
?>
______________________________________________________

File called connect.php

-Dan

[Dan_K]

I purchased using paypal how can i access the code archive?

-Dan

[Kevin Yank]

Dan,

The code you posted has a very obvious problem -- you're trying to connect to the MySQL server 3 times. You can't just blindly type the code from the book in; you need to read my explanations that appear between them. I began by showing this line:

mysql_connect("localhost", "daniel", "pass"); 

Then I explained that the mysql_connect function returned a connection ID that we needed, so the updated line would look like this:

$dbcnx = mysql_connect("localhost", "daniel", "pass"); 

And finally I explained that we could suppress the ugly PHP error and display our own more friendly one in the case of a connection error by using the @ sybmol and an if statement, making the final connection code:

$dbcnx= @mysql_connect("localhost","daniel","pass"); 
if (!dbcnx) { 
  echo("can't connect to database server"); 
  exit(); 
} 

You only need to type this last code fragment -- the first two were just steps on the way to this final code.

As for the code archive, drop me a line via email and I'll set you up.

[weirdbeardmt]

How many books have you now sold?

Or is that secret, like if you told me you'd have to kill me?

[Kevin Yank]

Maybe not kill you... but I might get you to clean my bathroom.

[Dan_K]

Thanks for clarifying that Kevin,

I've sent you an email.



-Dan

[Dan_K]

OK i'm really lost now i'm trying to connect to my localhost mySQL database heres my code:
_______________________________________________
<?php

$dbcnx= @mysql_connect("localhost","daniel","pass");
if (!dbcnx) {
echo("can't connect to database server");
exit();
}

mysql_select_db("jokes", $dbcnx);

$result = @mysql_query("select joketext from jokes");
if (!result) {
echo("<p>error performing query: " . mysql_error() . "<p>");
exit();
}
?>
_______________________________________________

All i get is a blank screen is my code right.

[Kevin Yank]

Looks fine to me. Where's the code to actually output someting on the page?

[TheOriginalH]

Thinks Kev's hit the nail on the head there. If you just run that script....and it works...the result would be a blank page...

[Dan_K]

Yeah i fixed it now, i'm starting to understand the code more.


-Dan

[martin]

Just a quick note to Kevin.

I'd just like to say a big thank you for your excellent book. This is by far the best book on PHP and MySQL I've read (and I have read it a couple of times now - I'm sad I know!)

Finally someone has shown an example of php being used in a (semi) realistic environment and the tricks of the trade. Congratulations and keep up the work. If you ever expand on the book then count me in!!

Again, well done!

[Kevin Yank]

Thanks for the kind words, Martin!

[Decoy1]

I am very close to buying this book, but I don't like the way the code is formatted. I find it hard to read when the braces don't match up.

[Kevin Yank]

I assume you mean the difference between this indenting style

if (condition) {
  // code here
}

and this one

if (condition)
{
  // code here
}

Both styles have their proponents, but the former was chosen for the book for its compactness, so as to be able to fit more code on a single page of the book.

I understand if you prefer the latter style (we've actually standardized on it here at SitePoint), but it hardly seems like a reason not to buy a book...

[Wavelan]

Just want to let anyone who doesnt have the book know that it is really good for beginners! Ive only read the first few chapters so far but ive learned more than trying to over the internet. Shipping was fast too.

Congrats Kevin!

[ALSLG]

I didn't buy the book - not yet -, but I will say that Kevin as a technical writer rocks and that his articles are among the best I've read so far.

Hey Kev, you're from Montreal, parles-tu français un peu?

Mike

[Dean Wilson]

Kevin, Just to let you know, your book has been shown in Intenet.au magazine on page 19.

Nice rap

[Kevin Yank]

Mais oui je parle Français, mais ça fait longtemps depuis que j'ai utilisé mon Francais à tous les jours. J'en ai perdu beaucoup durant les trois ans que j'ai habité en Australie.

[weirdbeardmt]

Originally posted by kyank
Mais oui je parle Français, mais ça fait longtemps depuis que j'ai utilisé mon Francais à tous les jours. J'en ai perdu beaucoup durant les trois ans que j'ai habité en Australie.

I think you're posting in the wrong thread here, Kev

[Kevin Yank]

No, I was answering ALSLG, who wrote:

Hey Kev, you're from Montreal, parles-tu français un peu?

[Trulent]

Is the book about basic php and MySQL or more advanced stuff or just mainly Basic MySQL?
I want to setup a site using php and MySQL with these features: Users submit content, admins delete, edit, or post content, Member login, Some pages require a password, and that's about it. Probably pretty basic stuff, but I don't know php or MySQL.
I'll probably get kev's book, but any other books I should look into buying?