Chapter 2: Using Variables and Input

Chapter 2: Using Variables and Input

Overview

In Chapter 1, "Exploring the PHP Environment," you learned the foundations of all PHP programming. Now that you have reviewed your HTML and CSS skills, you're ready to start seeing the real power of programming in general, and PHP in particular. Computer programs are ultimately about data. In this chapter, you'll begin looking at the way programs store and manipulate data in variables. Specifically, you'll learn how to:

Create a variable in PHP.
Recognize the main types of variables.
Name variables appropriately.
Output the values of variables in your scripts.
Perform basic operations on variables.
Read variables from an HTML form.

Chapter 1: Exploring the PHP Environment

Chapter 2: Using Variables and Input

Introducing the Story Program

Using Variables in Your Scripts

Using Variables for More Complex Pages

Working with Numeric Variables

Creating a Form to Ask a Question

Sending Data without a Form

Reading Input from Other Form Elements

Returning to the Story Program

Chapter 3: Controlling Your Code with Conditions and Functions

Chapter 4: Loops and Arrays: The Poker Dice Game

Chapter 5: Better Arrays and String Handling

Chapter 6: Working with Files

Chapter 7: Using MySQL to Create Databases

Chapter 8: Connecting to Databases Within PHP

Chapter 9: Data Normalization

Chapter 10: Building a Three-Tiered Data Application