The 20 Best PHP Books To Master Your Skills in 2020

PHP is well known as a general-purpose scripting language
or open source scripting language that is used for the development
of websites, either static or dynamic. Being easy to learn and use,
fast performance, availability of online support, stability,
security, and the open source advantages of the language, it has
become a fascinating language for new and expert programmers.
However, learning this language needs a good starting,
continuation, and guidelines. So, we are here to provide a handful
list of PHP books to serve the purpose of learning PHP.

Best PHP Books To Master Your
Skills

This article will help the programmers either a starter or
expert to get some of the best PHP books available online. These
books will be perfect references to learn PHP as most of the books
are covering all possible things you need to know. Some of these
books are better for the newbies, and some are for the experts. Few
of these books work fine for both. We believe the contents
mentioned with the books and the short description will help you to
find a suitable book for you. 

1. PHP: A Beginner’s Guide

PHP: A Beginner’s Guide is one of the best PHP books to
learn PHP. The book gives a general idea about PHP programming^[1]
and gradually discusses the working procedure of
PHP and error handling. In the intro part, basic things of PHP like
variables, flow, arrays, etc. are highlighted. The working ground
with SQL is also an important discussion in this
book. 

Table of Contents

• Part I: Understanding PHP Basics

Introducing PHP Using Variables and
Operators Controlling Program Flow
Working Arrays Using Functions and
Classes

• Part II: Working with Data from Other Sources

Working with Files and Directories Working with
databases and SQL Working with XML
Working with Cookies, Sessions, and Headers

• Part III: Security and Troubleshooting

Handling Errors Securing PHP
Extending PHP

Download
Pdf^[2]

2. Advanced PHP Programming

The book takes the readers to an advanced level by
introducing one step ahead of topics. It talks about the style of
coding, error handling like experts, and implementation of PHP. The
book also includes session handling and profiling. Finally, you
will get the idea of expanding PHP like a professional
programmer.    

Table of Contents

• Implementation and Development Methodology

Coding Styles Object-Oriented Programming
Through Design Patterns Error handling
Implementing with PHP: Templates and the Web
Implementing with PHP: Standalone Scripts

• Caching

External Performance Tunings Data Component
Caching Computational Reuse

• Distributed Applications

Interacting with Databases User Authentication
and Session Security Session Handling
Building a Distributed Environment

• Performance

Application Benchmarks: Testing and Entire Application
Profiling Synthetic Benchmarks: Evaluating Code
Blocks and Functions

• Extensibility

PHP and Zend Engine Internals Extending PHP:
Part I Extending PHP: Part II Writing
SAPIs and Extending the Zend Engine 

Download
Pdf^[3]

3. Beginning PHP and MySQL

Like other PHP books, this book starts with an
introduction to PHP, followed by a way to configure the environment
to learn and implement  PHP. The basic studies like functions,
arrays, etc. are the next discussions that come after the
introduction. The book has not left the handling process of
different errors.  

Table of Contents

• Introducing PHP
• Configuring Your Environment
• PHP Basics, Functions, and Arrays
• Object-Oriented PHP
• Advanced OOP Features
• Error and Exception Handling
• Strings and Regular Expressions
• Working with the File Operating System 
• PEAR
• Data and Time
• Working with HTML Forms
• Authentication Your Users
• Handling File Uploads
• Networking
• PHP and LDAP
• Session Handlers
• Templating with Smarty
• Web Service
• And 18 More Chapters

Download Pdf
^[4]

4. Beginning PHP

If you want to learn and practice your learning, then this
book is a perfect book. Firstly you will get the orientation
discussion about PHP and learn the scripting. Chronologically the
basics about php will come to the discussion in its second phase.
You will be a master in PHP in the third phase as there are huge
scopes to practice your learning. In that, you can learn how to
write, develop, and execute PHP language in the proper
fashion.    

Table of Contents

• Part I: Getting Up and Running with PHP

Introducing PHP Your First PHP Script

• Learning the Language

PHP Language Basics Decisions and Loops
Strings, Arrays, Functions, and Objects

• Using PHP in Practice

Handling HTML Forms with PHP Preserving State
With Query Strings, Cookies, and Sessions Working with
Files and Directories Introducing Databases and
SQL Retrieving Data from MySQL with PHP
Manipulating MySQL Data with PHP Making Your Job
Easier with PEAR PHP and the Outside World
Generating Images with PHP String Matching with
Regular Expression Working with XML
Writing High-Quality Code

Download
Pdf^[5]

5. Learn PHP 7

The concept of PHP 7 with a nice and meaningful
introduction declares the starting of this book. The book then
focuses on interfaces, modular programming, etc. A user interfaces
with security is an important discussion in the book. The dealings
with the authentication, handling with exceptions, and
troubleshooting the interfaces once it malfunctions are also well
covered in the book.   

Table of Contents

• An Introduction to PHP 7
• Interfaces, Platforms, Containers, and Three-Tier
  Programming
• Modular Programming
• Secured User Interface
• Handling and logging Exceptions
• Data Objects
• Authentication
• Multifunctional Interfaces

Download
Pdf^[6]

6. Learning PHP, MySQL &
JavaScript

To learn PHP as a beginner with a dream to become a pro,
you should choose this book. The book not only talks about PHP but
also discusses MySQL and JavaScript^[7]. This combo book
provides all the required information to introduce PHP. The good
site of the book is that it has a good way to practice PHP. All the
central portions, like functions, variables, arrays, etc. are well
covered in the book. The book also combines other languages and
relates those in a nice fashion.

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Dynamic Web Content
• Setting Up a Development Server and Introducing
  PHP
• Expression and Control Flow in PHP
• PHP Functions and Objects
• PHP Arrays
• Practical PHP and Introduction to MySQL
• Mastering MySQL
• Accessing MySQL Using PHP
• Form Handling
• Cookies, Sessions, and Authentication
• Exploring JavaScript
• JavaScript Functions, Objects, and Arrays
• JavaScript and PHP validation and Error
  Handling
• Using Ajax and Introduction to CSS
• Advanced CSS with CSS3
• Accessing CSS from JavaScript
• Introduction to jquery and Introduction to
  HTML
• The HTML5 Canvas
• HTML5 Audio and Video
• Other HTML5 Features 
• Bring it All Together

Download
Pdf^[8]

7. MySQL and PHP

The book is a bit different than other PHP books. The book
discusses PHP along with MySQL and some other improved topics. You
can learn native drivers of MySQL and some usual problems that you
may often encounter in PHP and MySQL. 

Table of Contents

• Introduction to MySQL PHP API
• Overview of the MySQL PHP drivers
• MySQL Improved Extension
• MySQL Functions
• Mysql_xdevapi
• Original MySQL API
• MySQL Native Driver
• Common Problems with MySQL and PHP

Download
Pdf^[9]

8. MySQL PHP Database
Applications

Do you know how to design databases with MySQL? How good
are you at controlling PHP structures? You may have consulted many
PHP books to learn PHP and MySQL, but this book will solve all your
problems where you can learn the said topics easily. Besides, all
basic ideas about PHP, functions, control structures, etc. are
there in the book in a nice fashion. Finally, you will come to know
about the use of the language in different simple and complicated
applications.

Table of Contents

• Part I: Working with MySQL

Database Design with MySQL The Structured Query
Language for Creating and Altering Tables Getting What
you Want with Select

• Part. II: Working with PHP

Getting Started with PHP- Variables Control
Structures PHP’s Built-in Functions
Writing Organized and Readable Code

• Part III: Simple Applications
• Part IV: Not So Simple Applications

Catalog Content Management System
Thread Discussion  Problem Tracking
System Shopping Cart

Download
Pdf^[10]

9. PHP 5 For Dummies

PHP 5 for Dummies perfectly introduces PHP 5 to the people
who do not understand or have less idea about it. Firstly you will
come to know about PHP, setting up the environment, and the way to
create a script. Gradually you will get to know how to use
variables and procedures or work by using data. Some usual
applications related to the language will come in discussion in the
fourth part, and finally, a total of twenty tips are there for
troubleshooting script and essential resources. 

Table of Contents

• Part I: Say Hello to the PHP Scripting Language

Getting to Know PHP Setting Up the
Environment Creating Your First PHP Script

• Part II: Variables and Data

Using Variables in PHP Scripts Working with
Data Storing Data in Groups by Using Arrays

• Part III: Basics PHP Programming

Controlling the Flow of the Script Reusing PHP
Code Object-Oriented Programming Meets PHP

• Part IV: Common PHP Applications

The Basic of Web Applications Storing Data with
PHP PHP and Your Operating System PHP
Extensions

• Part V: The Part of Tens

Ten Things to Look for When Troubleshooting a Script
Ten PHOP Resources you can’t Live Without

Download
Pdf^[11]

10. PHP 5 Power Programming

The book is mainly written on PHP 5. If someone is new to
this language, then he can very well understand all about this
language and update it. The book has given huge importance to PEAR;
thereby, many related topics are there in the book. You will come
to know how to write PHP extensions and get proper knowledge about
PHP shell scripting. You can skillfully learn PHP by this
book.

Table of Contents

• What is New in PHP 5
• PHP 5 Basic Language
• PHP 5 OO Language
• PHP 5 Advanced OOP and Design Patterns
• How to Write a Web Application with PHP
• Databases with PHP 5
• Error Handling
• XML with PHP 5
• Mainstream Extensions
• Using PEAR
• Important PEAR Packages 
• Building PEAR Components
• Making the Move
• Performance
• An Introduction to Writing PHP Extensions
• PHP Shell Scripting 

Download
Pdf^[12]

11. PHP 6 MySQL Programming for the
Absolute Beginner

At the very outset of the book, you will get a tour of the
environment of learning PHP. If you want to learn the use of
variables and input, then this is one of the best PHP books. You
will come to know how to work with different files and how to write
programs, including objects. A touchup to MySQL is also in this
book. The book will conclude the discussion with data normalization
and building application named Three-Tiered Data
Application.    

Table of Contents

• Exploring the Environment
• Using Variables and Input
• Controlling Your Code with Conditions and
  Functions
• Loops and Arrays
• Better Arrays and Starting Handling
• Working with Files
• Writing Programs with Objects
• XML and Content Management Systems
• Using MySQL to Create Databases
• Connecting to Databases writing PHP
• Data Normalization
• Building a Three-Tiered Data Application

Download
Pdf^[13]

12. PHP Advanced and Object-Oriented
Programming

In the field of advanced PHP books, this book acts as a
very concise and comprehensive book to learn PHP. The main focus of
this book is to teach different advanced techniques of PHP. All
advanced topics of PHP like, database concepts, development of web,
OOP, and many more topics are highlighted in the book. It holds a
good number and standard quality examples of CMS with
OOP.  

Table of Contents

• Advanced PHP Techniques
• Developing Web Applications
• Advanced Database Concepts
• Basic Object-Oriented Programming
• Advanced OOP
• More Advanced Programming
• Design Patterns
• Using Existing Classes
• Example- CMS with OOP
• Networking with PHP
• PHP and the Server
• PHP’s Command-Line Interface
• XML and PHP
• Debugging, Testing, and Performance

Download Pdf
^[14]

13. PHP and MySQL Web
Development

This PHP book shows the use of both PHP and MySQL with
different parameters. So far, all the PHP books introduced
different aspects of PHP and MySQL, this time, PHP and MySQL Web
Development shows all the possible use of those aspects. You can
know how to reuse code and the way of writing functions. You will
get the idea and detailed studies of e-commerce, including
different security aspects. Finally, different advanced techniques
related to PHP and projects of both PHP and MySQL are narrated in
the last two parts.

Table of Contents

• Using PHP

PHP Crash Course Storing and Retrieving
Data Using Arrays Staring Manipulating
and Regular Expressions Reusing Code and Writing
Functions Object-Oriented PHP 

• Using MySQL

Designing Your Web Database Creating Your Web
Database Accessing Your MySQL Database from the Web
with PHP Advanced MySQL

• E-commerce and Security

Running an E-commerce Site E-commerce Security
Issues Implementing Authentication with PHP and
MySQL Implementing Secure Transaction with PHP and
MySQL

• Advanced PHP Techniques

Interacting with the File System and the Server
Using Network and Protocol functions Managing
the Date and Time Generating Images

• Building Practical PHP and MySQL Projects

Using PHP and MySQL for Large Projects
Debugging Building User Authentication and
Personalization Building a Shopping Cart
Building a Mailing List Manager

Download
Pdf^[15]

14. PHP Cookbook

PHP Cookbook is unlike other general level PHP books and
another level of guidance to learn PHP. In the book, different
operational parts of PHP, like setting, reading, and deleting
cookies, are well discussed. You can come to know how to use
session tracking. Side by side, you will come to know about
different settings and
configurations.    

Table of Contents

• Setting Cookies
• Reading Cookies Values
• Deleting Cookies
• Redirecting to a Different Location
• Using Session Tracking
• Storing Session in a Database
• Detecting Different Browsers
• Building a GET Query String
• Using HTTP Basic Authentication
• Using Cookies Authentication
• Flushing Output to the Browser
• Using a Custom Error Handler
• Logging Errors
• Eliminating “Headers Already Sent” Errors
• Logging Debugging Information 
• Reading Environment Variables
• Setting Environment Variables
• Reading Configuration Variables
• Setting Configuration Variables
• Profiling Code

Download
Pdf^[16]

15. PHP Hypertext Preprocessor

PHP Hypertext Processor teaches PHP in a very innovative
way. In three parts, the book discusses general PHP, higher-level
PHP, and then preferences. In the general part l, the book includes
environment, variables, constants, etc. The advanced section
discusses all the secondary and higher-level PHP studies like
predefined variables. There is a study of PHP with AJAX, MySQL, and
XML.   

Table of Contents

Part I: Learning PHP

Introduction Environment Setup
Syntax Overview Variable Types
Constants Operators Types

• Part II: Advanced PHP

Predefined Variables Regular Expression
Error and Exception Handling Bugs
Debugging Date and Time PHP and
MySQL PHP and AJAX PHP and XML
Object-Oriented Programming PHP for C
Developers PHP for PERL Developers

• Part 3: Function Reference 

Download
Pdf^[17]

16. PHP Programming

The concept of PHP and in-depth discussion is always a
requirement from all the PHP books, and this book provides so. The
book has covered everything, like from the installation to
different methods to integrate PHP. The basic contents of PHP are
obviously there in the book. The book also contains loop chemistry
with many others.   

Table of Contents

• What is PHP?
• Setup and Installation
• Beginning with “Hello World”
• Basics
• Commenting and Style
• Arrays and Control Structures
• The if Structures
• The Switch Structure
• The while Loop
• The do-while Loop
• The for Loop
• The forecast Loop
• Functions, Files, Mailing, Cookies, Sessions, and
  Databases
• MySQL
• PostgreSQL
• PHP Data Objects 
• Integration Methods (HTML Forms, etc.) 

Download
Pdf^[18]

17. PHP Tutorials: Programming with PHP
and MySQL

To learn PHP from the basic level, this book is an ideal
one. The beginning tells a lot about the book where it has kept
basic terms, meaning you will not get stuck up once you go through
the book and encounter a new term. Inside the book, there are basic
discussions about different topics of PHP. The book also discusses
MySQL and jQuery.     

Table of Contents

• Basic Programming Terms
• Introduction to PHP, Variables in PHP, and Forms and
  PHP
• Arrays and Loops
• Basic PHP Structures
• Functions, Posting Forms, and An Email Form
• JavaScript Submit
• SQL and MySQL
• The Staff Table and Database Access
• Using PHP and MySQL
• Further PHP and MySQL
• OpenCart Installation
• Error Handling and Debugging
• Sessions and Cookies
• Modifying Records and File Handling
• Regular Expressions and Data Validation
• PHP Security and PHP Code Scripting
• Introduction to jQuery
• Htaccess and php.ini files

Download
Pdf^[19]

18. PHP and MySQL Bible

This is an all in one book to learn PHP and MySQL thus got
the title of the bible. In the first part, general ideas about PHP
and MySQL, scripting, syntax, variables, number handling are
discussed. The second part of the book brings MySQL talks and
related all things you need to know about MySQL like installing,
language, relation with PHP, etc. The book has an elaborate
discussion of both PHP and MySQL gotchas. 

Table of Contents

• Part I: Introducing PHP

Why PHP and MySQL Server-Side Scripting
Overview Getting Started with PHP
Learning PHP Syntax and Variables Learning PHP
Control Structures and Functions Passing Information
with PHP and Learning PHP String handling Learning
Arrays, Learning PHP Number Handling, and PHP Gotchas

• Part II: MySQL Database Integration

Introduction Database and MySQL Installing
MySQL Learning Structured Query Language 
Leaning Database Administration and Design
Integrating PHP and MySQL Performing Database
Queries, Integrating Web Forms and Databases Improving
Database Efficiency MySQL Gotchas

• Part III: More PHP

Introducing Object-Oriented PHP Advanced Arrays
Functions Examining Regular Expressions, and Working
with the File System Working with Cookies and
Sessions Learning PHP Types

Download
Pdf^[20]

19. Professional PHP
Programming

At the very outset of the book, the book clears how and
where to download, how to install, and how to configure PHP. In the
second part, the book teaches different important elements related
to language like variables, operators, arrays, etc. Then you get
the lesson to apply PHP on the practical ground with detailed
teaching of all the fields related. Unlike other PHP books, this
book gives some samples of Applications and discusses advanced
topics like version migration.

Table of Contents

• Variables and Data Types
• Operators, Expressions and Statements 
• Functions, Arrays, Objects, and OOP
• String Manipulation and Regular Expressions
• Non-relational Databases
• SQL DBMS Engines
• Using LDAP
• Serving XML documents’Grap[hics contents
  Creation
• Graphic Content Creation
• PHP Connectivity
• Sending Emails, Cookies and Error Handling and
  Debugging
• Security Issues and Magic with Quotes
• Templates
• A Shopping Cart Application
• An OO Site
• Version Migration
• When Should I avoid Regular Expression
  Function

Download
Pdf^[21]

20. Programming PHP

This O’Reilly collection of PHP books is a deliberate book
where all the teachings are nicely set. The introduction contains
the basic idea and the evolution of PHP. This book has put due
importance on the history of PHP. In the Language part, data types,
lexical structure, variable, and other essential language
components are discussed. The string part teaches quoting strings
constraints, encoding and escaping, comparing strings, etc. in a
broadway. The rest of the book is each with web services,
debugging, etc. which are essential teaching of PHP.

Table of Contents

• Introduction to PHP
• Language Basics
• Functions, Strings, Arrays, and Objects
• Web Techniques, Databases, and Graphics
• PDF
• XML
• Security
• Application Techniques
• PHP on Disparate Platforms
• Web Services
• Debugging PHP
• Dates and Times

Download
Pdf^[22]

Closing Thoughts

All the PHP books mentioned so far are full of information
and innovative in their way of teaching, answering all questions to work in the PHP
framework^[23]. We hope you could find
the appropriate book for you, and the book is just with you, as we
have provided. If any bright idea or suggestion lies in you, please
let us know and allow us to improve our work. The utility of the
readers of this article will make our effort a successful
one. 

Finally, I believe you liked the article, and you are
highly positive to appreciate our effort by sharing with others.
Allow others to get the easy way to find all these great books at
once by your sharing. I wish you excellent programming with
PHP.