Quality books for learning PHP classes/OOP

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the9ulaire
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Quality books for learning PHP classes/OOP

Post by the9ulaire »

Hello all,

I've been programming with PHP since summer of '07 and I really want to take my skills far beyond where I am. I'd like to learn how to work with classes and OOP in PHP. I'm not great at reading about things, rather I like lots of coding examples to work through to see how things work. With that in mind, what are some books you'd recommend for me?

Thanks!
Luke
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RobertGonzalez
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Re: Quality books for learning PHP classes/OOP

Post by RobertGonzalez »

Search Amazon for anything relating PHP and OOP. There are lots of resources available.
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flying_circus
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Re: Quality books for learning PHP classes/OOP

Post by flying_circus »

I've posted it before and I'll post it again. Do NOT buy Professional PHP 5 by wrox. I feel pretty strongly about this and dont want to see anyone throw their money away. You can skim it at your local book store as the concepts are OK, but the sample code is complete rubbish. Steer clear, there have to be many other better books out there, because there likely aren't many worse... :banghead:
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Chris Corbyn
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Re: Quality books for learning PHP classes/OOP

Post by Chris Corbyn »

PHP in Action.

I haven't read it but I've heard nothing but praise for it.
matthijs
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Re: Quality books for learning PHP classes/OOP

Post by matthijs »

PHP in Action is definitely very good.

Others I like:
- PHP architects guide to design patterns
The only book I know that shows the code in TDD fashion. It's focus is on the design patterns them selves. If you don't know design patterns yet, that's a bit difficult.
- PHP5 Objects Patterns and practice
A good book as well. But I find the code examples in this book difficult to understand. Maybe it's the author's coding style or the examples he's chosen, but in comparison I found the code in PHP in Action much, much easier to understand. Even though they discuss exactly the same patterns.
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RobertGonzalez
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Re: Quality books for learning PHP classes/OOP

Post by RobertGonzalez »

Those are Matt Zandstra's and Jason Sweat's books, are they not? I have both of them and they are very good. I wish Zandstra's offered a little more TDD, but both are great books.
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seodevhead
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Re: Quality books for learning PHP classes/OOP

Post by seodevhead »

I personally think Larry Ullman is KING when it comes to PHP books. They are VERY easy to read and cover real-world stuff. Written by a guy who taught himself php for others who wish to do the same!
koen.h
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Re: Quality books for learning PHP classes/OOP

Post by koen.h »

A comment on PHP Objects, Pattens and Practice as well as PHP in action, both mentioned here.

I wish both authors would practice their principles in ordering chapters and examples, ie decoupling one chapter from the other. I hate it when I want to review a pattern and it starts by refactoring an example used 4 chapters before. I don't know if PHP architects guide to PHP patterns is better in this respect.
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