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PHP @ Web Programming
Programming Shed : Programmer Store & Resources |
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PHP Index - PHP Book :
Foundation PHP for Flash
by Steve Webster Mass Market Paperback: 500 pages Dimensions (in inches): 1.02 x 8.86 x 7.38 Publisher: friends of Ed ISBN: 1903450160; 1st edition (September 2001) Written for the Flash developer who wants to do more, Steve Webster's Foundation PHP for Flash shows how to combine simple server-side scripts with Flash to create smarter, more versatile Web applications. With a truly engaging writing style and a sharp visual sense, this title will let any working Flash programmer make the transition to simple server-side scripting with PHP. While most programming books print source code as is, this one distinguishes itself with a keen visual presentation with graphics used to highlight sections of both Flash ActionScript and basic PHP. It also helps that Webster is a notably lively writer. A few guiding principles govern this text. First, all the interfaces are created in Flash and ActionScript, and the book walks you through the steps required to build these designs. After a basic tutorial of the PHP language, the author uses PHP to add additional functionality to Flash-powered Web applications, from managing user registration to searching news articles using regular expressions. This text provides one of the best (and most truly accessible) tutorials for understanding and using regular expressions. While most writers pass the buck to difficult online resources for regular expressions, the author takes the time to explain and demonstrate how regular expressions really work, with clear examples and a nicely patient presentation style. Later, the book zeros in on using the MySQL database package for storing and retrieving data from Flash applications. To this end, there's a quick introduction to programming with SQL and how to query and update data using PHP combined with MySQL. Later chapters present case studies of larger Flash applications that make use of techniques demonstrated earlier, like a customizable user poll, a simple event scheduler, plus a threaded discussion forum. With a winning writing style and a concise presentation that makes smart use of graphics, PHP for Flash will put simple PHP programming within reach of anyone who has a little previous familiarity with Flash. --Richard Dragan Topics covered: Overview of PHP 4 and scripting essentials, loading external data in Flash (a registration script), PHP language fundamentals (including variables, data types, arrays), using functions (calling conventions), string handling in PHP, in-depth tutorial on PHP regular expressions, using cookies, file I/O tutorial, introduction to the MySQL database platform, basic SQL syntax tutorial, using PHP and MySQL together (a simple content management system), case study for a user poll (including administration modules), event planner scheduler application, case study for a threaded discussion Web application, reference for installing PHP and MySQL, object-oriented programming essentials in PHP, and resources for PHP. www.edevcafe.com February 2002: Foundation PHP for Flash is one of the best books a web developer can own. www.pixelsurgeon.com: Overall an excellent introduction to putting dynamic content into your Flash movies and well worth the money. Book Description: Body by Flash - brains by PHP PHP is a powerful, easy-to-learn scripting language, used in around 7,000,000 domains. Multi-platform and open source, when partnered with Flash it can be used to create beautiful, engaging and reactive web experiences. When combined with the open source MySQL database solution, PHP is your fast track to supplying your Flash movies with real-time dynamic content: rich functionality, elegant simplicity, the beauty of Flash, with the brains of PHP. What this book covers: The Foundation series aims to take you through the basics and beyond, feeding you the information and the inspiration you need to create innovative, interactive web applications. By the midpoint of this book, you'll be comfortable enough with the PHP language to set your sights on database integration and high-end real-world applications. This book will guide you there with down-to-earth examples, practical tutorials and a designer-friendly approach. The basics of PHP as a scripting language, including the similarities and differences between PHP and ActionScript Dynamic Data and Flash The MySQL database option; sending your Flash movies oribital with fast and easy data handling Relevant and reusable platform-independent Flash and PHP case studies to accompany each step In depth breakout of three full-size applications to show you the way ahead The book is also supported by its own site at phpforflash.com, with free source files, additional articles and working demonstrations including further material on the reader support forum, which itself forms one of the self-build tutorials in the book. Who this book is for: This book provides a designer-focused angle on every aspect of PHP and MySQL, and has been written specifically for: Flash designers who want to add a dynamic edge to their web sites Designers who want a friendly and useful guide to incorporating PHP into a graphics rich website From the Publisher: PHP and Flash were made for one another. Sure, Flash can impress us solo, but to create a changing, adapting Flash web site, you need to add some power behind the scenes, and put simply, PHP is the free and easy way to do it. With a list of functions as long a piece of string, there's always going to be something there to add dynamic sparkle to your Flash sites, and this book is your diving board into the sea of possibilities server-side scripting offers. Foundation PHP for Flash will part that sea, and escort you through at your own speed. This book is aimed at designers, and specifically Flash designers, although my main aim is to teach you PHP in a friendly and designer-focused way. For that reason I've assumed for the purpose of the case studies that you'll know the basics of Flash and will be learning PHP to improve your Flash sites, but whether you're a Flash master or a novice, I'll nevertheless fully explain the Flash that we use throughout the book. I believe in simplicity so here's what we'll cover in each chapter: The basics of a particular aspect of PHP scripting A powerful reusable and adaptable Flash-integrated case study The emphasis here is not on teaching you a ton of theory and then leaving you to figure out how to get some use from it, but rather to show you how PHP can make your life as a Flash designer better and easier. I'll show you from start to finish what PHP is all about and, more importantly, how to use in increasingly exciting web applications. Throughout each chapter we'll be working through simple code examples, working towards building everything your site could possible need, from registration and login movies, to a full Flash forum - a grand total of 12 full sample applications. About the Author: Steve Webster is a Freelance Web Developer and has several years' experience with Macromedia Flash along with scripting & back-end development. A keen programmer since the age of 8 (and the good old days of the Sinclair Spectrum 48k), he has studied for an HND in Software Engineering. He is also a moderator in, among others, the Scripting & Backend forum at the excellent FlashKit site at flashkit.com, where he spends the majority of his time providing support and helping others with their projects. Steve lives in Bristol, England with his girlfriend Nicki and a teddy bear (and co-author) called Boris the Monkey. Customer Reviews Reviewer: Todd Dominey from Atlanta, GA United States The premise of "PHP for Flash" is very, very exciting -- creating dynamic front-ends for the server side applications PHP and MySQL that makes simple HTML look awfully dull. To empower Flash with these open source technologies is unlike anything you've tried before -- it's a jolt of energy that gives new life to how you look at Flash, and gives fresh new ideas for your work. That said, "PHP for Flash" does an excellent job of gearing it's perspective toward Flash developers with little to no experience in PHP. You're expected to know a little ActionScript, and if you do, PHP is very easy to pick up. They're very, very close in style and function. Each chapter contains a project that integrates a simple Flash movie with PHP, whether it's a mailing list, an email form, a forum, a message board, a login/password app, etc. But let's be clear about this book's purpose >> This is NOT a book to pick up if you're looking for new creative ideas in Flash. It IS a great book if you already have ideas, and want to empower them with everything PHP has to offer. It may sound odd, but "PHP for Flash" is not a recommended book if you want to learn PHP, or even Flash and/or ActionScript. Other books, like "PHP and MySQL Web Development" and Colin Moock's "ActionScript: The Definitive Guide" are much better suited for a more well-rounded study of the aforementioned. "PHP for Flash" is quite valuable however, for it fills the void between the two -- the glue that marries PHP and ActionScript together. You may know ActionScript, or even PHP, but unless you know how to create a manager between the two that both Flash and PHP can understand, you're lost. This book gives great information about how Flash passes variables to PHP, and vice-versa, that you can't find in any other book. That alone makes "PHP for Flash" essential to making PHP and Flash work together. And one more thing >> I mentioned MySQL earlier. The first chapter in the book shows a pretty powerful example of Flash married with PHP/MySQL. But MySQL isn't picked up again until the last two chapters of the book. Everything inbetween is PHP and Flash only. That's great for novices, for you can get your feet wet with PHP first, and then see later how the addition of MySQL can really take you projects higher. If you want to make your Flash sites more intuitive, intelligent, and responsive to user input, by all means pick this up. Reviewer: Tiago Janz from Lisboa, Portugal When i bought this book I knew nothing about php or mySql, now I have a big project in hands almost completed with an interface that can monitor all parts of all my sites. The book its well written and quite easy to follow, if u want to understand how to have some real functionality to your site this is the book u MUST buy. Thanks Steve by the great job. Reviewer: Rick Wiederecht from Farmingville, Long Island ,New York United States This book is a GREAT way to join PHP/MySQL and Flash. It has helped me tremendously. I highly recommend it... But better than that... I had a problem with some code of a small project I was working on, and it just wasn't working.. I tried the Flash message boards, and a few people tried to help, but the code still wasn't working..I decided, what the heck? I'll try emailing the author of this great book for help. I emailed him my PHP code, my objective, my Flash Actionscript code. and a url to view. Within 10 minutes, he replied with a clear precise answer to the problem! Not only that, he was very friendly, and offered help if I need it in the future! WOW! That is customer satisfaction! BUY THE BOOK! I can't say enough good things about it or about the author! Thanks Steve! Reviewer: Ana from Rome, Italy Fantastic, well-written, clear explanations, full of humour...A must for Flash design-programmers. |
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