Using MySQL from PHP, Part 2
One of PHP's prime benefits is its close integration with databases, especially MySQL. Having explained the basics of MySQL, John Coggeshall turns his attention to demonstrating how to use MySQL from PHP. This week, learn how to count results, handle errors, and handle picky details. Mar. 18, 2004

Using MySQL from PHP
One of PHP's prime benefits is its close integration with databases, especially MySQL. Having explained the basics of MySQL, John Coggeshall turns his attention to demonstrating how to use MySQL from PHP. Feb. 19, 2004

MySQL Crash Course, Part 3
Almost every serious web application uses a relational database to store its data. At some point, you'll have to learn how to use them. John Coggeshall explains how to make the most of the SQL SELECT statement across multiple tables. Jan. 29, 2004

MySQL Crash Course, Part 2
Almost every serious web application uses a relational database to store its data. At some point, you'll have to learn how to use it. John Coggeshall explains how to change tables, select only the data you want, and delete rows from MySQL. Jan. 8, 2004

MySQL Crash Course
Almost every serious web application uses a relational database to store its data. At some point, you'll have to learn how to use them. John Coggeshall explains the basics of relational databases with MySQL. Dec. 23, 2003

PHP Security, Part 3
A malicious user will likely start his attack by using your system in ways you never anticipated. Your system logs are an oft-neglected defense tool. John Coggeshall shows how PHP's error logging and reporting functions can help you secure your applications. Oct. 9, 2003

PHP Security, Part 2
If you have users, you'll undoubtedly have bad guys trying to break things. As a developer, it's your responsibility to make sure your code is secure. John Coggeshall explains how system calls from PHP can be exploited -- and how to make them secure. Aug. 28, 2003

PHP Security, Part 1
If you have users, you'll undoubtedly have bad guys trying to break things. As a PHP developer, it's your responsibility to make sure your code is secure. John Coggeshall demonstrates one common PHP error that can leave you vulnerable, and he explains how to think like a bad guy to prevent these mistakes in the first place. Jul. 31, 2003

Common Style Mistakes, Part 2
Writing code well means balancing expressiveness with elegance. Remember, you're writing code that must be maintained. In the second of a series on PHP Paranoia, John Coggeshall gives three tips to write code that's easier to understand. Jul. 10, 2003

Common Style Mistakes, Part 1
Programming securely is more than working down a list of checkboxes. You must adopt a security mindset. In the first of a series called PHP Paranoia, John Coggeshall explains several PHP style mistakes that make writing solid code more difficult. May. 29, 2003

Working with Forms in PHP, Part 2
If you're doing any serious work with PHP, you'll eventually have to deal with file uploads. John Coggeshall explains how to process HTTP file uploads with PHP 4.3. May. 1, 2003

Working with Forms in PHP, Part 1
PHP is handy for templating and displaying dynamic data, but you're missing its full power until you handle user data. John Coggeshall explains how PHP 4.3 handles form submissions securely and sanely. Mar. 13, 2003

Working with Permissions in PHP, Part 2
Having explained the Unix security model in his last column, John Coggeshall explains the permissions functions in PHP and how to use them. Feb. 20, 2003

Working with Permissions in PHP, Part 1
The last series of PHP Foundations explained the basics of files and directories. If you're making your files public, though, you need some security. PHP follows the Unix model of user, group, and world permissions. John Coggeshall explains the Unix permission model. Feb. 6, 2003

Working with Files in PHP, Part 3
You've got files down. You can create, delete, rewind, and append with abandon. But where do you put them? In Part 3 of "Working with Files in PHP," John Coggeshall explains how to work with directories. Jan. 9, 2003

Working with Files in PHP, Part Two
The Web was once a purely-text medium, but no longer. Now it's spiced with images, movies, and sounds. What's a PHP programmer to do? With the return of John Coggeshall and in the second part of his series on working with files in PHP, he covers binary files. Dec. 12, 2002

Working with Files in PHP
John Coggeshall covers the fundamentals of reading and writing text files in PHP. Oct. 3, 2002

Advanced PHP References
John Coggeshall discusses the concept of returning a reference from a function, followed by using references within objects. Sep. 12, 2002

PHP References
PHP References are similar to C-style pointers. John Coggeshall explains how to get started using them. Aug. 16, 2002

Introduction to PHP Objects, Part 2
John Coggeshall discusses PHP objects in more detail, including some of their more powerful features, such as inheritance and using objects as data-storage containers. Aug. 1, 2002

Introduction to PHP Objects, Part 1
John Coggeshall introduces the basics of object-oriented programming with PHP. Jul. 18, 2002

Multiple File PHP Scripts
To promote the idea of reusing common functions within your PHP scripts, it is often necessary to be able to separate PHP code into multiple files. Jun. 20, 2002

Control Structures Revisited
A look at two new variations of the if(), while(), and for() statements as well as an introduction to a completely new structure, switch(). Aug. 23, 2001

Introduction to Functions: Part 2
John Coggeshall tackles some of the more difficult topics dealing with functions, including variable scope, static variables, and return values.  Aug. 9, 2001

An Introduction to Functions, Part 1
Functions allow you to re-use code to repeatedly perform a procedure. John Coggeshall introduces PHP functions. Jul. 12, 2001

Arrays in PHP: Part 2
John Coggeshall introduces associative and multidimensional arrays. Although arrays can be complex and difficult concepts, this tutorial makes them easy to understand. Jun. 21, 2001

Arrays in PHP: Part 1
John Coggeshall introduces the array, a PHP variable type that allows you to organize data more efficiently. He explains how arrays work and the fundamentals of using them. Jun. 7, 2001

Advanced PHP Variables and Functions
John Coggeshall explains how to use dynamic function and variable names, as well as variable-length argument lists passed to functions. May. 17, 2001

Embedding PHP in HTML
Extend your knowledge of embedded PHP by learning how it can be used to control the flow of a web page. John Coggeshall explains conditionals and repetition-control structures. May. 3, 2001

Advanced Control Structures
John Coggeshall introduces advanced control structures and techniques, including multi-conditional "if" statements and an introduction to the "for" statement.  Apr. 19, 2001

Basic Control Structures
John Coggeshall covers the basics of program control structures, including conditional statements and looping using the if and while statements in PHP.  Apr. 5, 2001

Variable Manipulation and Output
John Coggeshall covers basic variable manipulation and output, including math operators and strings.  Mar. 22, 2001

Basic PHP Syntax
John Coggeshall covers basic PHP syntax, including variable usage, variable types, and how to print variables to the web browser. Mar. 8, 2001

An Introduction to PHP
John Coggeshall reviews the history of PHP and tells beginners how to get started with this versatile scripting language. Feb. 22, 2001