PHP Fundamentals
A Practical Introduction to Modern PHP for Web Development
What's Included:
Key Highlights
- Modern PHP best practices
- Security-first development approach
- Hands-on examples and exercises
- Database integration with MySQL
- Clean, maintainable PHP code
Overview
A hands-on introduction to modern PHP for web development. Learn PHP fundamentals, database integration, and security best practices step by step.
The Problem
Many PHP beginners struggle with outdated tutorials, insecure coding practices, and fragmented learning resources that do not reflect modern PHP development.
The Solution
This book teaches PHP fundamentals using modern syntax, security-first practices, and real-world examples, providing a solid foundation for professional PHP development.
About This Book
Learn Modern PHP the Right Way
PHP Fundamentals is a practical, beginner-friendly introduction to modern PHP development, designed for anyone who wants to build dynamic, database-driven websites. PHP powers over 75% of websites on the internet, including WordPress, Facebook, and countless custom web applications.
This book focuses on current PHP best practices, clean code principles, and real-world usage—going beyond outdated tutorials and legacy approaches that still plague many PHP resources.
What You Will Learn
- How PHP works in modern web applications and server environments
- PHP syntax, variables, data types, and operators
- Functions, control structures, loops, and arrays
- Object-oriented programming fundamentals in PHP
- Handling forms, sessions, and user input securely
- Working with MySQL and PostgreSQL databases using PDO
- Input validation, output escaping, and security basics
- Debugging, error handling, and logging techniques
- Writing clean, maintainable, and testable PHP code
- Modern PHP features: namespaces, autoloading, and Composer basics
Who Is This Book For?
This book is designed for beginners who want to learn PHP properly from the start, as well as self-taught developers looking to fill gaps in their knowledge. It is ideal for:
- Complete beginners starting their web development journey
- Frontend developers learning backend programming
- WordPress users who want to understand PHP code
- Students building their first web applications
- Anyone transitioning to PHP from other programming languages
Why This Book?
The book concludes with a complete PHP web application project, helping you connect theory with real-world development. You will write real code from chapter one and build practical skills throughout.
Prerequisites
Basic understanding of HTML is helpful. No prior programming experience is required.
Author: Petr Novák
Who Is This Book For?
- Beginner web developers
- HTML/CSS developers moving to backend
- WordPress users wanting real PHP knowledge
- Students learning server-side programming
- Junior developers adding PHP to their stack
Who Is This Book NOT For?
- Advanced PHP developers
- Framework-only learners (Laravel-only focus)
- Developers looking for legacy PHP 5 tutorials
Table of Contents
- What PHP Is and Where It Fits
- Setting Up a PHP Development Environment
- PHP Syntax and Variables
- Data Types and Operators
- Control Structures
- Functions in PHP
- Scope, Includes, and Files
- Arrays and Data Handling
- Strings and Form Data
- Handling Forms with PHP
- Working with Sessions and Cookies
- PHP and MySQL Basics
- Secure Database Access
- Errors, Debugging, and Logging
- PHP Security Fundamentals
- Writing Clean PHP Code
- Modern PHP Features
- Building a Simple PHP Web Application
- Learning Path After PHP Fundamentals
Requirements
- Basic HTML knowledge recommended
- Basic programming concepts helpful but not required
- A computer capable of running PHP locally
