Before you can start building your database-driven web presence, you must first ensure that you have the right tools for the job. In this first chapter, Kev will tell you where to obtain the two essential components you'll need: the PHP scripting language and the MySQL database management system. He'll also step you through the set-up procedures on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, and show you how to test that PHP is operational on your web server. You'll even get to write your first PHP-driven web page.

This classic, hands-on guide to learning all the tools, principles and techniques needed to build a fully functional database-driven web site using PHP and MySQL has been revised for its fourth edition. It remains essential reading for the budding developer.

Is HTML 5 really too far away to worry about? Bruce Lawson doesn't think so -- you can start using HTML 5's new structural elements right away.

Did you realize that if you know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript then you know enough to create your own desktop applications using Adobe AIR? In this article I’ll demonstrate just how easy it is to create your own desktop app, complete with custom window design using nothing but CSS and jQuery.

The Yahoo User Interface library has established itself as one of the key JavaScript libraries to use enhancing the user experience on a web page. In this article, Ara previews what's around the corner for the next version: YUI 3.

Have you ever been frustrated at a client for not taking your design advice? Perhaps you should analyze the process that you follow. Here, Paul lays out a seven-step approach for delivering truly collaborative design that keeps everyone happy.

Flex 4, codenamed Gumbo, is the latest version of Adobe’s popular Rich Internet Application (RIA) framework, and developers can now get their hands on the beta! Andrew Muller offers us a taste of what's new in Flex 4.

Does your web host offer all the features you need? Akash Mehta puts six developer-friendly web hosts through their paces. Which reigns supreme?

The Internet landscape has changed over the past few years, and the rules of online marketing have changed with it. In this excerpt from his latest book, Brandon spells out how to create and distribute an effective press release.

Wireframing has become an essential part of the web design process. While every web designer has a preference, no tool has yet to dominate the industry. In this article Alex takes a close look at a simple and inexpensive tool called Balsamiq Mockups. Will it suit everyone? Will it help your productivity? Will it add sparkle to your mockups? Read on to find out.

With ColdFusion and Flex, it's easy to produce nifty Rich Internet Applications. In this article, Kai Koenig gives us the solid grounding needed to build a well architected RIA. Plus, take our quiz and score a free copy of Getting Started with Flex!

Beginner web designers, especially those who come from a print background, often neglect to consider certain aspects of the Web that are unique to the medium. Matt spells out the stuff that every designer should know before they build their first site.

Ever wanted to combine the rich user interface of Flex with the reliable server-side processing that PHP provides? You can! In this tutorial, Lennart demonstrates how to turn a PHP app into a slick, Flex-driven widget.

Displaying non-standard fonts on the Web has always meant either relying on Flash or sacrificing the accessibility of your page. Is utilizing the canvas element the answer we've been looking for?

In this tutorial, Jack demonstrates how to create a small Flex widget to display a set of location-based Flickr photos, and embed it so that it doesn't interfere with your web page content.

Itching to get started with iPhone development? In this tutorial, Stoyan Stefanov introduces us to some tips and tricks you can use to kickstart your journey to building web apps for the iPhone.

The sophistication of modern ecommerce solutions has improved to the point that you can set up and run an online store with minimal fuss. This ease of use is a boon to small and medium-sized merchants. In this article Vikram shows you how easy it is to setup an online shop using the OXID eShop software.

In recent years the number of wireframing and prototyping tools available has exploded. But where should you start when choosing the right resource to help document and design your web site? Gary Barber comes to the rescue with this list of 16 useful prototyping tools, and the pros and cons associated with each.

In his new book, Sexy Web Design, Elliot Jay Stocks shares the methods he uses to create stunning web interfaces—and one of the most important steps is to do some research. In this sample from the book, Elliot explores different ways to gather inspiration and cool ideas for your next project.

Legal eagle, Chris Gatewood explains how to eliminate your working life of bad payers. He provides a six-step checklist when devising a standard service agreement, plus some extra tips for countering any objections. Now you can clear your client list of deadbeat debtors forever!

So many web sites have contributed to the advancement of CSS, it's quite a tricky task to produce a shortlist, as Tim Wright discovered. Some are indisputable and at the forefront of everyone's minds, while others are less conspicuous but no less deserving in Tim's Hall of Fame.

If you've ever wondered about the best approach for multi-window applications, Jonathan Snook has some words of wisdom. In this article he looks at the options available when creating an Adobe AIR application. Answer the quiz to win a copy of Adobe CS4 Web Premium and Flex Builder Pro 3!

Joomla is one of the most popular open source content management systems that exist today. In this step by step tutorial, Andrew demonstrates how easy it is to get started.

Have trouble remembering your right outer joins from your left? In this sample chapter from the SitePoint book, Simply SQL, Rudy makes the inner workings of the SQL FROM clause easy to understand, including joins, subqueries, and views.

The AIR 1.5 update to Adobe's flagship RIA platform is here, and with it a host of new features to supercharge your development. In this article we'll look at the fantastic new debugging system, available in the Aptana IDE. The first 200 people to complete the quiz at the end will receive a free book!

Image replacement -- it's a vital tool for any serious web designer, yet many techniques go to ground when images are turned off. In his article, Paul Young puts forward a new JavaScript-based method for image replacement to work around this pitfall.

In this article, Kai demonstrates how to enable two-way communication between Flash and JavaScript. Complete the quiz at the end to be in the running to win a free copy of Adobe CS4 Web Premium and Flex Builder 3 Pro.

Toying with the idea of building your first web site? Or are you tired of being asked to build sites for family and friends? With this excerpt from SitePoint's latest book, even complete beginners can begin to build a complete, standards-compliant web site from scratch!

In this article, Andrew explains some of the technologies that make up the Flash Platform, and how you can use them to build RIAs. The first 200 people to complete the quiz at the end will receive a free book!

Halla Kolbeinsdottir looks at what's happening in the mobile web industry, and explores a free online tool that makes it possible for anyone to create their own personalized, standards-compliant web site that works across all mobile phones. Now, you can impress your friends with your own mobile web site. That's exciting!