What Next (with the ultimate goal of pHp/mySQL)?

wiswif · January 15th, 2011, 07:07 PM

Hello wrox,
I just completed "Beginning JavaScript 4th Edition," and preceded it with "Beginning HTML, XHTML, CSS and JavaScript". Though I am by no means an expert in any of the above, I feel I command XHTML and CSS pretty well, feel much better about JavaScript after the aforementioned refreshers, and have a passing familiarity with pHp (though it has been a long, long while since I've done anything with it).

I have many books in the WROX series waiting to be read; I am simply at a loss as to where I should go next. I was wondering if anyone could advise me--keeping in mind that my TRUE interest and ultimate goal is database manipulation and management, which has always equated with pHp and MySQL in my mind. I have the following books ready to go:

"Beginning XML"
"Professional Ajax"
"JavaScript and CSS Development with JQuery"
"JavaScript for Web Developers"
"JavaScript Frameworks"

All of which are WROX and, to my knowledge, all the latest editions (with the possible exception of Hunter's "Beginning XML"... it is copyrighted 2000 and was gifted to me used). Am I ready for pHp / MySQL? If not, is there a particular path I should take to it? I'm willing to buy more books...

Don't know if this is the right place for this post, but I couldn't find anywhere better, so I'm taking a shot. Any advice anyone could offer would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Thanks kindly.

jminatel · January 18th, 2011, 03:37 PM

Of the books you've listed that you already own, the next logical step is probably JavaScript for Web Developers. It may be a little bit of a stretch for you as it takes more of a CS approach and treats JavaScript as a "real" language so without a ton of programming background, you'll need to apply yourself.

The other books you list are all good for side knowledge, but aren't directly on the path from where you are to where you want to be. Outside of these, the next logical book for you to try would be:
Beginning PHP 5.3:
http://www.wrox.com/WileyCDA/WroxTit...470413964.html
or
Beginning PHP5, Apache, and MySQL Web Development
http://www.wrox.com/WileyCDA/WroxTit...764579665.html

Hope this helps!

jmcpeak · January 24th, 2011, 10:27 AM

And to add to Jim's post, JavaScript isn't a requirement of PHP/MySQL. Many programming concepts will be the same (as with most languages), but the two languages serve different purposes. If you feel you have a good grasp on HTML and programming basics, then you're ready for PHP.

wiswif · January 25th, 2011, 06:28 PM

Thank you gentlemen; this was precisely the direction I was seeking. I look forward to entering the world of pHp and MySQL--and hopefully, with some study, finally making some of my conceptualizations a reality.

Many thanks again!
wiswif