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Table of Contents
Today we’re looking at the best PHP books of this year.
🧠 Did you know? PHP is used by nearly 80% of all websites whose server-side programming language is known.
What is PHP?
PHP is an open source, server-side scripting language used for web development. It’s used to manage:
✅ dynamic content
✅ databases
✅ session tracking
PHP is generally considered an easier language to learn for programming newbies.
Do I need to learn PHP?
Over 244 million websites use PHP, making it the most widely used programming language on the web. So while some may claim it’s on the decline, there’s still plenty of demand for PHP developers.
That’s because in the corporate world, you’re going to have to tap into legacy code which is almost guaranteed to include PHP.
And you don’t want to be caught with your pants down if you don’t know how to handle the code. 👖
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.
TLDR: Best PHP Books
🔥 Best Overall 🔥
PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development
💥 Best for Newbies 💥
PHP: Learn PHP in One Day and Learn It Well
💸 Best Value 💸
PHP & MySQL in easy steps: Covers MySQL 8.0
Best PHP Books
Now let’s take a look at some of the best PHP books for this year.
1. PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development
PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development is the long-awaited book by author Jon Duckett.
You’ll learn all about PHP which was used to build sites like Facebook, WordPress and Wikipedia. Then you’ll learn how information is stored in the MySQL database.
Check out our comprehensive video review here:
➡️ In our opinion, PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development is one of the best PHP books of all time.
For starters, it’s got full-color pages packed with infographics and code examples.
In addition to learning PHP and working with databases, you’ll discover how to build your own applications from scratch.
In fact, you’ll learn techniques where you can:
✅ create articles and posts saved to a database
✅ upload images and files
✅ receive email notifications
✅ comment on posts
And much more.
Throughout the book, you’ll work on completing a content management system that contains social network features.
2. Learn PHP in One Day and Learn It Well
↘️ Ideal for: PHP newbies
↘️ Topics covered: form handling, security management, exception handling
Learn PHP in One Day and Learn it Well is a concise PHP reference.
💻 Need interactivity while learning PHP? Check out the course Learn PHP from Scratch on Educative.io.
➡️ We think Learn PHP in One Day and Learn It Well is one of the best PHP books for newbies.
Learn PHP in One Day and Learn it Well takes a hands-on approach to teaching you the basics of PHP.
You should have a basic knowledge of HTML and SQL before reading this book.
Giving you a broad exposure to PHP, you’ll learn about:
✅ HTML form handling
✅ security management
✅ object-oriented programming
✅ exception handling
And beyond.
At the end of the book, you’ll work on a project, building a mini-blog.
🔥 Geena’s Hot Take
There’s no miracle cure to taking the time and effort to learn a new programming language.
So are you really gonna learn all of PHP in one day? Probably not.
But you will learn the fundamentals in a timely fashion so you can start putting your programming skills to use right away.
So if you want to learn some valuable PHP skills in less time, Learn PHP in One Day and Learn it Well is a good place to start.
What developers are saying about Learn PHP in One Day:
This book is well written, contains a lot of practical info with examples, covers everything important…
– David E A., PHP Developer
3. PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps: Covers MySQL 8.0
↘️ Ideal for: programming newbies
↘️ Topics covered: PHP and MySQL fundamentals
PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps is a fully illustrated, easy to follow guide written in nontechnical terms. Throughout the book, you’ll explore how to produce data-driven web pages.
💻 Get your basics on with the video-based course PHP Fundamentals on Pluralsight.
➡️ We believe PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps is one of the best PHP books for developers on a budget.
PHP & MySQL in Easy Steps is newbie-friendly with no prior programming experience required.
In addition to learning how to write PHP server-side scripts, you’ll discover how to make MySQL database queries.
With ample examples, you’ll learn how to:
✅ retrieve session data
✅ provide a message board
✅ create an e-commerce shopping cart
And more.
4. PHP 8 Programming Tips, Tricks and Best Practices
↘️ Ideal for: PHP developers experienced in PHP 5 or above
↘️ Topics covered: features, enhancements, best practices
This book is a bit different than any other PHP book on our list.
That’s because it focuses on upgrading your existing PHP applications.
➡️ PHP 8 Programming Tips, Tricks and Best Practices is perhaps one of the best PHP books for successfully migrating to PHP 8.
You’ll start by getting a grip on all the new features in PHP 8.
In the process, you’ll learn how to identify code breaks and keep your code running.
You’ll also overcome backward compatibility issues.
Finally, you’ll learn best practices while exploring what features have been deprecated or removed from PHP 8.
5. Programming PHP: Creating Dynamic Web Pages
↘️ Ideal for: PHP newbies
↘️ Topics covered: big picture, programming techniques, language syntax
Programming PHP highlights features covered in PHP 7.4.
➡️ Programming PHP is possibly one of the best PHP books for creating dynamic web pages.
You should have a working knowledge of HTML before reading Programming PHP.
Starting with a general overview of PHP, you’ll then tear into language syntax and programming techniques.
Some concepts you’ll cover include:
✅ data types
✅ flow control statements
✅ functions
You’ll also learn how to interact with relational databases like MySQL and NoSQL.
💻 Time to put this theory into practice with the course Building Web Applications in PHP on Coursera.
6. Learning PHP, MySQL & JavaScript
↘️ Ideal for: web designers
↘️ Topics covered: PHP, MySQL, JavaScript
Just when you thought you’d see PHP and JavaScript on the next episode of Jerry Springer in an epic catfight to win the Internet, they got along long enough so Robin Nixon could write this book.
➡️ Learning PHP, MySQL & JavaScript is arguably one of the best PHP books for hands-on developers.
Learning PHP, MySQL & JavaScript teaches you how to create interactive, data-driven websites. You’ll explore the world of dynamic programming using up-to-date technologies:
- PHP
- MySQL
- JavaScript
- CSS
- HTML5
- jQuery
- React
You’ll take what you’ve learned and build a fully functional social networking site.
7. PHP and MySQL Web Development
↘️ Ideal for: PHP newbies
↘️ Topics covered: PHP, MySQL, JavaScript
PHP and MySQL Web Development is a project-based book where you’ll build your PHP, MySQL and JavaScript skills. You’ll design and build multiple projects including web-based email and a shopping cart.
➡️ We believe PHP and MySQL Web Development is one of the best PHP books featuring PHP 7.
In addition to learning PHP and MySQL, you’ll learn how to use JavaScript in your applications to integrate front-end and back-end technologies.
What PHP developers are saying about PHP and MySQL Web Development:
This is the book that made my web development dreams a reality.
– Chuzymatics, Web Developer
8. Laravel: Up & Running: A Framework for Building Modern PHP Apps
↘️ Ideal for: experienced PHP developers
↘️ Topics covered: Laravel framework
Laravel: Up & Running teaches you how to use the popular PHP framework Laravel (It’s cool and hip… think of it like React but for PHP).
➡️ We think Laravel: Up & Running is one of the best PHP books covering a PHP framework.
Using concrete examples, this high-level overview of Laravel covers features such as:
✅ templating tools
✅ interfaces
✅ PHPUnit
And more.
Laravel: Up & Running focuses exclusively on the features of the rapid application development framework Laravel.
9. PHP and Algorithmic Thinking for the Complete Beginner
↘️ Ideal for: programming newbies
↘️ Topics covered: PHP fundamentals
PHP and Algorithmic Thinking for the Complete Beginner has a course structure where you’ll learn the fundamentals of PHP.
➡️ In our opinion, PHP and Algorithmic Thinking for the Complete Beginner is one of the best PHP books for students with no prior programming experience.
There are:
- 700 exercises
- 475 true/false questions
- 150 multiple choice questions
- 200 review questions
- crossword puzzles
You’ll find that you’ll learn PHP using algorithmic thinking. So instead of just learning the code, you’ll learn the process of coding.
10. Learn PHP 8: Using MySQL, JavaScript, CSS3, and HTML5
↘️ Ideal for: PHP newbies
↘️ Topics covered: PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, CSS, HTML
Learn PHP 8 will teach you the most popular PHP fundamentals alongside MySQL, JavaScript, CSS and HTML.
This includes:
- web applications
- modular programming
- databases
And beyond.
For each chapter, you’ll work on a small application using the algorithms you’ve learned.
With Learn PHP 8, you’ll learn by doing while completing coding examples and applications.
11. PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites
↘️ Ideal for: PHP newbies
↘️ Topics covered: PHP 7, MySQL, jQuery, object-oriented programming
PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites takes you on a programming journey.
PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites will teach you how to build database-driven web sites using PHP 7.
You’ll follow expert tips and step-by-step instructions to learn about issues like security and session management.
You’ll also dabble in jQuery and object-oriented programming.
12. Murach’s PHP and MySQL
↘️ Ideal for: PHP newbies
↘️ Topics covered: PHP, MySQL, MVC, Apache
Murach’s PHP and MySQL teaches you PHP 7 alongside MySQL while showcasing the Model View Controller (MVC) and Apache.
You’ll start building applications immediately as you explore working with:
✅ form data
✅ arrays
✅ sessions
✅ cookies
✅ exceptions
And beyond.
You’ll also learn how to create a database while accessing and maintaining its data.
Murach’s PHP and MySQL covers day-to-day skills you’ll use in PHP.
13. PHP 8 Quick Scripting Reference
↘️ Ideal for: experienced PHP programmers
↘️ Topics covered: PHP 8, object-oriented features, constructs
PHP 8 Quick Scripting Reference is a code-rich guide. You won’t find samples or stories, just the meat. 🥩
➡️ We believe PHP 8 Quick Scripting Reference is one of the best PHP books for experienced PHP developers.
While exploring new features in PHP 8, you’ll also dive into:
✅ reusable code
✅ object-oriented features
✅ variable testing
✅ error handling
And much more.
PHP 8 Quick Scripting Reference is a handy pocket guide for experienced PHP programmers.
14. Learning PHP: A Gentle Introduction to the Web’s Most Popular Language
↘️ Ideal for: PHP newbies
↘️ Topics covered: PHP 7, web forms, databases, APIs
Learning PHP touts itself as “a gentle introduction to the web’s most popular language.”
With Learning PHP, you’ll learn how to work with:
- web servers
- browsers
- databases
- web services
In addition, you’ll learn how to build and validate web forms. You’ll also learn how to work with APIs and PHP web application frameworks.
15. The Joy of PHP
↘️ Ideal for: programming newbies
↘️ Topics covered: HTML, PHP, MySQL
The Joy of PHP starts off with some basic HTML so complete newbies can learn the ropes of programming. As you progress, you’ll build a web site for a used car dealership, modifying features as you learn new concepts in PHP and MySQL. 🚗
This book is not intended to teach you all of PHP. Rather, you’ll go from a complete newbie to being able to read, write and modify PHP scripts… and program interactive web applications.
💥 The Joy of PHP uses one large project to help teach you the fundamentals of PHP.
Best PHP Books: Conclusion
Now let’s recap our findings.
Today we looked at the best PHP books including:
🔥 Best Overall 🔥
PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development
💥 Best for Newbies 💥
PHP: Learn PHP in One Day and Learn It Well
💸 Best Value 💸
PHP & MySQL in easy steps: Covers MySQL 8.0
No matter if you’re on a budget or a newbie: we think these are the best PHP books for aspiring PHP developers.
Readers of Best PHP Books are also reading:
- 6 Best PHP Courses
- PHP Interview with Joshua Otwell
- What’s the Best PHP Hosting This Year? Our Top 3 Picks
What is PHP?
PHP is an open source, server-side scripting language used for web development. It’s used to manage dynamic content, databases, and session tracking. PHP is generally considered an easier language to learn for programming newbies. Learn more about PHP in today’s post.
What are the best PHP books?
Overall, we think PHP & MySQL by Jon Duckett is the best PHP book. For newbies, we liked PHP: Learn PHP in One Day and Learn it Well. And for best value, we chose PHP & MySQL in easy steps: Covers MySQL 8.0. Learn more about these and other PHP books in today’s article.
Do I need to learn PHP this year?
Over 244 million websites use PHP, making it the most widely used programming language on the web. So while some may claim it’s on the decline, there’s still plenty of demand for PHP developers. That’s because in the corporate world, you’re going to have to tap into legacy code which is almost guaranteed to include PHP. And you don’t want to be caught with your pants down if you don’t know how to handle the code. Learn PHP with the books we’ve featured in today’s post.
Is the book Programming PHP: Creating Dynamic Web Pages worth it?
We think so. Programming PHP highlights features covered in PHP 7.4. Starting with a general overview of PHP, you’ll then tear into language syntax and programming techniques. You’ll also learn how to interact with relational databases like MySQL and NoSQL. You should have a working knowledge of HTML before reading Programming PHP. Learn more about Programming PHP in today’s article.
Is Learn PHP in One Day and Learn It Well worth it?
We think Learn PHP in One Day and Learn it Well is one of the best PHP books for newbies. It’s a concise PHP reference. You should have a basic knowledge of HTML and SQL before reading this book. You can learn more about this and other PHP books in today’s post.