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MySQL Cookbook

Paul DuBois

O'Reilly, 2002

Stumped by a particular database problem - how to sort results by a particular day of the week, sorting hostnames in domain order, finding cumulative sums and running averages? Look no further. This is a collection of more than 300 ready-made solutions to common - and not so common - database problems. The queries are well headlined, each with a simple description of the problem, an outline of the answer, and then a detailed explanation with worked examples. All the files can downloaded from a companion web site, so you can actually see them in action yourself. What's nice about Paul DuBois' style is that he not only tells you how to achieve something, but explains why it works that way. As a result, even if he doesn't have the answer to your particular problem, there's a good chance he'll lead you in the right direction.

"MySQL Cookbook" is aimed at all levels from novice to advanced. It also covers both MySQL 3.23 (the current stable release) and MySQL 4.0, so it's not likely to go out of date in a hurry. The book does not teach the basics of MySQL, or such important topics as database administration and maintenance. For that you'll need another title, such as the Sams book, "MySQL", also by Paul DuBois. Perfect companions, both deserve a place on the bookshelf.

Dreamweaver MX: PHP Web Development

Gareth Downes-Powell, Tim Green et al

Glasshaus/Wrox, 2002

Whether you're already familiar with PHP and MySQL or a complete newcomer, this is a valuable project-based introduction to using them to build a database-driven web site with Dreamweaver MX. For newcomers, there are easy-to-follow instructions for installing PHP and MySQL on your local machine, together with coverage of the most popular graphical interfaces to MySQL. These are particularly useful for anyone apprehensive about setting up database tables from the standard MySQL command line, or who simply prefers a graphical interface for database management. Then, after a brief rundown of how to plan a dynamic website, the book dives into building a simple hotel reservation system.

This is where the book - and Dreamweaver MX - really come into their own. MX's new application development features make light work of building recordsets, and automating such features as repeat regions, inserting and updating records. The project takes you through all the most important routines necessary for building an online searchable database. Don't expect to be able to bid for the job of redeveloping the online booking service for an international chain on the strength of this book alone, but it should certainly give you a good start to developing dynamic websites using Dreamweaver MX, PHP and MySQL. Even hard-bitten hand coders will find this book will bring them rapidly up to speed on MX's application building interface; and can then make up their minds which method of coding best suits their purposes.

Although MX automates many tasks, it can't do absolutely everything for you, and it's necessary to dive under the hood and tweak the code from time to time. This book doesn't pretend to cover PHP syntax in great depth - that's scheduled for a follow-up volume - but all the basics are there, and there's an important chapter on debugging. There's also a chapter on Dreamweaver MX's Server Behaviour Builder, an impressive feature that lets you automate your own tasks.

If you would prefer to use ASP, then take a look at "Dynamic Dreamweaver MX" from the same publisher.

Note: The original publisher went into insolvency in March 2003. The book has been acquired by Wiley, and will be reissued under the Wrox imprint, so copies may be either in the original blue cover or in a new red one. The content is the same.