book recommendation for a newbie?

I want to learn PHP, but have zero programming experience. Can anyone recommend a good book that assumes no previous knowledge?

thanks

 

I think this book would be a good one to begin with.

 

I wouldnt read books, unless you liek doing so. I hate reading, and the idea of reading a 750 page book based off of only information would kill me.

I myself learned from w3schools.com. They cover the basics you need, and you can advance your skills from there. I also used them to learn alot of css, which is very helpful when used with php.

I am able to create fully modifyable webpages with unique features, without having any trouble at all.

My newest project is www.bizlinked.com which I am still working on, and www.boardingscene.com member pages, which I turned into a myspace type with the help of a few plugins.

 

I purchased some books a few years ago on php & mysql but to be honest, l found myself bored. A couple of years later, I started learning it when I wanted to use it for something useful. It really helps being interested in what you're coding and also knowing that in the end you'll have something useful to look at and use. I'd highly recommend php.net and google.com for answers to problems and example code.

 

Woodside - thanks for the link. That looks like the kind of thing I need!

Cyk_47, ryan_uk - I do like reading, although tech manuals aren't exactly my idea of a fun read! I'm only interested in that kind of thing if I can learn something of practical value, which I why I was looking for a 'how to' manual, than than something that's more theoretical.
I'll check out the sites you both mentioned too - it hadn't really occurred to me to look for tutorial type stuff online

Thanks for the replies - very useful

 

I went from LAMP n00b to almost expert in a few months thanks to the PHP Bible. Later picked up some ideas from the Visual Guide or whatever it's called.

PHP Bible may seem daunting due to it's size but it's only that thick because they do such a good job at explaining code line by line.

Highly recommended.

 

I'm the same. I read a lot but any technical book I've purchased... is just gathering dust.

My first project was a quality management database (for work). I worked with someone else in making it. It was funny because he'd comment his code in Spanish.... which I barely understand a word of... and then I'd have to debug it.

Hasta luego, amigos & amigas.

 

I like the Quickstart Guides. They are geared towards newbies. Do a search on Amazon for Quickstart PHP.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/03...104-8179027-9099927?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

 

hm i guess i did the same when i coded for someone in australia - didnt really think about it

 

Thanks for all the replies - I've no excuse for not getting started now!

 

Good luck, sapphire!

 

BOOK ? no recommendation !!!
better dont waste money ...

the best one is
http://www.php.net
http://www.php.net/docs.php

 

like most other people here, i say forget about books.
from my experience, the easiest way to learn a programming language is the same as the easiest to learn a people language: immerse yourself in it.

think of an idea you want to make and do it in PHP. work throught it, read tutorials, google, look through the docs and hang out in #php IRC channels on efnet, freenode, or quakenet.

good luck!