Building Blocks : Coder's Hand Book - PHP: Coder's Hand Book - PHP

Building Blocks is an educational series that is guided by the practice of Dr. Lael A. Alexander in order to encourage elemental literacy in American Students.

Global Institute of Science and Technology

Tulsa, Oklahoma Published by Penguin & Rook LLC

Book Title: Building Blocks 

Subtitle (optional): A Beginner’s Guide to Php

Author: Dr. Lael A. Alexander

Publisher Information: Penguin & Rook LLC

Edition: First Edition

Date of Publication: March 17, 2024

Copyright Page

•          Copyright Statement:

Copyright © 2024 by Dr. Lael A. Alexander.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author or publisher.

•          ISBN: TBD

•          Publisher Information: Penguin & Rook LLC

•          Disclaimer:

The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this book. However, the book is provided as is without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice for specific use cases.

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Dedication

For those who dream of a decentralized future where technology empowers everyone equally.

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Contents

Dedication ...................................................................... 5

Preface for PHP Book ................................................... 9

Introduction for PHP Book ........................................ 10

Notes from the Author on PHP .................................. 10

Chapter 1: Introduction to PHP and Databases .......... 11

Understanding PHP .................................................... 11

Importance of Databases in Web Development ....... 13

Overview of PHP Database Interaction .................... 15

Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Environment ................... 18

Installing PHP ............................................................. 18

Choosing a Database Management System .............. 19

Configuring Your Development Environment ......... 21

Chapter 3: Basics of SQL ............................................... 24

Introduction to SQL ................................................... 24

Common SQL Commands ......................................... 26

Understanding Data Types ......................................... 27

Chapter 4: Connecting PHP to a Database .................. 30

Using MySQLi ............................................................. 30

Using PDO ................................................................... 32

Error Handling in Database Connections ................ 33Chapter 5: Performing CRUD Operations ................... 36

Creating Data .............................................................. 36

Reading Data ............................................................... 38

Updating Data ............................................................. 40

Deleting Data ............................................................... 42

Chapter 6: Advanced SQL Queries ............................... 44

Joining Tables .............................................................. 44

Using Subqueries ......................................................... 45

Aggregate Functions ................................................... 47

Chapter 7: Securing Your Database ............................. 50

Understanding SQL Injection .................................... 50

Best Practices for Data Security ................................ 52

User Authentication and Authorization .................... 54

Chapter 8: Working with PHP Frameworks ............... 57

Overview of PHP Frameworks .................................. 57

Using Laravel for Database Interaction .................... 59

Using CodeIgniter for Simplified Development ....... 61

Chapter 9: Debugging and Testing................................ 64

Common Database Errors.......................................... 64

Debugging Techniques in PHP .................................. 66

Writing Tests for Database Interactions ................... 68

Chapter 10: Real-World Applications .......................... 71

Building a Simple Web Application .......................... 71

Integrating Third-Party APIs .................................... 73

Page | 7

Case Studies of Successful PHP Database Projects . 75

Chapter 11: Future Trends in PHP and Databases ..... 78

Emerging Technologies in Web Development .......... 78

The Role of Cloud Databases ..................................... 80

Continuous Learning and Resources ........................ 82

Chapter 12: Conclusion and Next Steps ....................... 85

Recap of Key Concepts ............................................... 85

Building a Portfolio ..................................................... 86

Resources for Continued Learning ........................... 89

Understanding API's .................................................. 91

Hotkeys and Commands in Development

Environments .............................................................. 94

PHP: Common Commands and Snippets ................. 95

Preface for PHP Book

For decades, PHP has been the backbone of web development, powering millions of websites and applications, including some of the most popular content management systems like WordPress. Its ease of use, flexibility, and robust community support have made it a reliable choice for developers of all skill levels.

This book takes you on a journey through PHP’s evolution from a simple scripting language to a powerful tool for building dynamic, database-driven applications. Whether you’re looking to build APIs, integrate PHP with modern front-end frameworks, or use PHP in blockchain systems, this book will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to do so.

Introduction for PHP Book

PHP is a server-side scripting language designed to create dynamic web pages and applications. In this book, you’ll learn how to harness PHP’s capabilities to interact with databases, create secure APIs, and build web applications that are efficient and scalable. Starting with the basics, this book gradually introduces advanced topics, including PHP frameworks like Laravel and integrating PHP with modern technologies.

The practical examples in this book are geared toward real-world applications, helping you not only learn the syntax and tools but also how to apply them effectively.

Notes from the Author on PHP

PHP may seem like a legacy tool to some, but its adaptability makes it a vital part of many modern tech stacks. I’ve used PHP to connect traditional web systems to blockchain and other innovative technologies. My goal with this book is to showcase how PHP can still shine in modern development, particularly for backend logic and data-driven systems.

Chapter 1: Introduction to PHP and Databases

Understanding PHP

PHP, which stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, is a widely-used open-source scripting language that is particularly suited