Books: A User's Report

Elizabeth Zinkann

A systems administrator's job often includes tasks that go beyond administration. These may include dealing with Web pages and graphics, as well as daily Web administration duties. This month's reviews include a book on the Open Source PHP scripting language, digital photography, a Linux command reference, and a technical interview book. Specifically, the books include: PHP Essentials by Julie C. Meloni (Prima Tech), Easy Digital Photography, Updated Second Edition by Scott Slaughter (Abacus), Linux System Commands by Patrick Volkerding and Keith Reichard (M&T Books), and Programming Interviews Exposed by John Mongan and Noah Suojanen (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.).

PHP Essentials
Julie C. Meloni
Prima Tech
ISBN 0-7615-2729-X
363 Pages
$39.99
http://www.prima-tech.com/
http://www.thickbook.com/

The choices of utilities and programs currently available to a Web designer can be overwhelming. The options include page construction tools, clipart, animation, fonts, forms, e-commerce security, and shopping capabilities in boxed or download versions. The user can select an "off-the-rack" package to build a generic site or personally custom design it with HTML, Java, Javascript, Active Server Pages, Perl, and CGI, to name just a few of the tools. Another option is PHP (derived from the original program name, "Personal Home Page Tools"). PHP is a flexible scripting language and interpreter, which can accomplish various tasks. One of the best books that I have read and also enjoyed on this topic is PHP Essentials by Julie C. Meloni.

From the beginning, realizing that not everyone has the luxury of working exclusively on a Linux/UNIX platform, and also that people have different tastes (even when discussing Web servers), the author describes how to install a Web Server and PHP on Windows, UNIX, and Macintosh platforms.