Books for Learning PHP

I want to build a web application with a backend database, and I think I want to try using PHP. I haven’t used PHP since 2005, when I was a freelance bioinformatics developer.

Since I am a book-oriented learner, I looked for good books that teach PHP. I want a book that will introduce me to PHP without having to teach me the basics of programming.

Building Secure PHP Applications

Building Secure PHP Applications: A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Your Web Applications from Threats
by Satej Kumar Sahu
Apress
418 pp.
November 18, 2024

This book is available in digital format. This book looks very useful to me.

An Introduction to PHP

An Introduction to PHP: Learn PHP 8 to Create Dynamic Websites
by Mark Simon
Apress
625 pp.
March 7, 2024

This book is available in digital form, and the source code is available from a git repository. The book is more basic than I want.

Learn PHP 8

Learn PHP 8: Using MySQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5
by Steve Prettyman
Apress
426 pp.
October 5, 2020

This book is a little old, and it’s too basic for my needs.

PHP & MySQL

PHP & MySQL: Server-side Web Development
by Jon Duckett
Wiley
668 pp.
January 12, 2022

This is book is highly recommended by users in the PHP subreddits on reddit.com as being a modern presentation of PHP rather than a revision of an old book with outdated code. I plan to order this book.

PHP 8 Basics

PHP 8 Basics: For Programming and Web Development
by Gunnard Engebreth, Satej Kumar Sahu
Apress
329 pp.
December 28, 2022

This book is more basic than I want.

PHP 8 Objects, Patterns, and Practice, Volume 1

PHP 8 Objects, Patterns, and Practice, Volume 1: Mastering OO Enhancements and Design Patterns
by Matt Zandstra
Apress
630 pp.
December 2, 2024

A digital version is available, and the source code is available from a git repository. This book looks very good.

PHP 8 Objects, Patterns, and Practice, Volume 2

PHP 8 Objects, Patterns, and Practice, Volume 2: Mastering Essential Development Tools
by Matt Zandstra
Apress
May 12, 2025

This book is not published yet.

PHP by Example

PHP by Example: A Practical Guide to Creating Web Applications with PHP
by Alex Vasilev
Apress
412 pp.
June 19, 2024

This book is available in digital format. This book looks more basic than I want.

PHP Cookbook

PHP Cookbook: Modern Code Solutions for Professional Developers
by Eric A. Mann
O’Reilly Media
431 pp.
May 2023

This book is probably useful for my needs.

PHP Crash Course

PHP Crash Course: The Complete, Modern, Hands-On Guide
by Mark Smith
No Starch Press
728 pp.
August 13, 2024

This book is available in digital format. This book looks more basic than I want.