PHP Book Reviews
  Home arrow PHP Book Reviews arrow Professional PHP4 Multimedia Programmi...
Codewalker Forums 
  Tutorials  
Database Articles  
Miscellaneous  
Navigation Usability  
PEAR Articles  
Programming Basics  
Server Administration  
XML Tutorials  
  Reviews  
Database Book Reviews  
Linux Book Reviews  
Miscellaneous Reviews  
PHP Book Reviews  
PHP Software Reviews  
Server Admin Reviews  
SQL Tool Reviews  
  Code Gallery  
Content Management Code  
Contest Code  
Counters Code  
Database Code  
Date Time Code  
Discussion Board Code  
Email Code  
File Manipulation Code  
GUI Code  
Link Farm Code  
Miscellaneous Code  
Search Code  
Site Navigation Code  
User Management Code  
Mobile Linux 
App Generation ROI 
IBM® developerWorks 
Download TestComplete 
Forums Sitemap 
Weekly Newsletter 
 
Developer Updates  
Free Website Content 
 RSS  Articles
 RSS  Forums
 RSS  All Feeds
Write For Us Get Paid 
Request Media Kit
Contact Us 
Site Map 
Privacy Policy 
Support 
 USERNAME
 
 PASSWORD
 
 
  >>> SIGN UP!  
  Lost Password? 
PHP BOOK REVIEWS

Professional PHP4 Multimedia Programming
By: Matt Wade
  • Search For More Articles!
  • Disclaimer
  • Author Terms
  • Rating: 5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars / 1
    2002-10-19

    Table of Contents:

    Rate this Article: Poor Best 
      ADD THIS ARTICLE TO:
      Del.ici.ous Digg
      Blink Simpy
      Google Spurl
      Y! MyWeb Furl
    Email Me Similar Content When Posted
    Add Developer Shed Article Feed To Your Site
    Email Article To Friend
    Print Version Of Article
    PDF Version Of Article
     
     
    ADVERTISEMENT


    Professional PHP4 Multimedia Programming is a unique book in the midst of all other PHP books. No other book aims to cover the topics that this one does. If you are a PHP developer looking to expand you knowledge and integrate the multimedia capabilities of PHP into your applications, then this is the book for you.

    The goal of this book is to introduce the concepts and techniques needed to produce dynamic multimedia content. The extensions covered are Ming, GD, ImageMagick, PDF, and FDF. Each technology is thoroughly explained from installation through example use. A case study is then given to go into further detail on the use of each extension.

    I especially enjoyed the fact that they provided installation instructions for these extensions. One of the biggest hurdles people have with using Ming, GD, and the others is the installation process. Once someone gets past that stage they can at least experiment with how the extension works. It can be very frustrating when you can't even get something installed. Hopefully this book will help ease some of that frustration.

    The case studies used by the authors are superb. These are real would applications that people want to create every day! They include a headline grabber with Ming, a mobile web coffee shop finder with GD, an image gallery using ImageMagick, and a PDF template system. Each one of these case studies is designed to get you thinking. Sure, they you the code needed for the application, but they also show you how the design process works and detail possible enhancements.

    The one thing I found lacking in this text was some type of common problems section. Invariably, people are going to have difficulties when it comes to installation or use of these extensions. A simple google search will show the abundance of problems related to these technologies. A small chapter, or a section in each chapter, detailing some of the most common problems encountered, with their fixes, would have been great.

    Overall, this book is great. If you are looking to develop multimedia applications in PHP, it is a must have.


    Information from the Publisher

    Professional PHP4 Multimedia Programming covers a broad range of information relating to some of the most popular PHP4 extension libraries, specifically the ones that can be used to create, modify or deliver multimedia content - Ming, Ming with ActionScript, GD, PDFLib, and FDF.

    The book is split into three parts - the extensions, the case studies, and the function reference - that way developers looking for descriptions without large amounts of code can read the beginning, those looking to just read case studies have a definite place to start, and those who want to stick it by their side for reference, know exactly where to go.

    Who is this book for?

    The target audience for this book generally falls into three categories. Firstly, this book would provide a rare source of information for intermediate to expert PHP developers who are looking to extend their knowledge further and want detailed information about every aspect of the library. Secondly, PHP developers who are happy with their current knowledge, but want immediate knowledge of a specific extension library and its use in the real world can use this book as the first port of call for that information. Lastly, we also believe that the book will be of interest to those researching the capabilities of PHP when weighing up server side languages for a potential project.

    What does this book cover?
    • Installation of the PHP extension libraries covered in the book
    • A PHP refresher with coverage of object-oriented PHP concepts
    • Adding dynamicity to movies with Ming
    • Adding interactivity to movies with Ming and ActionScript
    • Manipulating images with GD
    • Creating images with Imagemagick
    • Creating PDFs with PDFLib
    • Sending data to and from PDF forms using FDF
    • Creating a Headline Grabber using Ming with Actionscript
    • Creating a Coffee Shop Finder that automatically generates images optimized for PDA and WAP sites using GD functions and the HAWHAW PHP class
    • Designing a fully functional Image Gallery using the ImageMagick class library
    • Creating a general purpose PDF Template System using PDFLib

    DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware.

    More PHP Book Reviews Articles
    More By Matt Wade

     

    IBM® developerWorks developerWorks - FREE Tools!


    Check out the new Jazz space on developerWorks

    <a href="http://zeus.developershed.com/shonuff.php?blackbird=3853&zoneid=442&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ibm.com%2Fdeveloperworks%2Fspaces%2Fjazz%3FS_TACT%3D105AGY31%26S_CMP%3DDEVSHED&ismap="><img src="http://images.devshed.com/corp/img/news/jazz01.gif" alt="developerWorks Jazz space" align="left"></a>You've heard the buzz about Jazz... want to know more about it from a developer's perspective? Check out the Jazz space on developerWorks. This space is an up-to-date resource for developers, including technical information about Jazz and products built on Jazz, like Rational Team Concert Express. The Jazz space includes content from a wide variety of sources, including links, feeds, and comments from experts.
    FREE! Go There Now!


    NEW! Applying lean thinking to the governance of software development

    Effective governance for lean development isn’t about command and control. Instead, the focus is on enabling the right behaviors and practices through collaborative and supportive techniques. Hear from Scott Ambler on how it is far more effective to motivate people to do the right thing than it is to force them to do so. Learn how to form a lightweight, collaboration-based framework that reflects the realities of modern IT organizations.
    FREE! Go There Now!


    NEW! Rational 'Talks to You' Teleconference Series

    This Fall, IBM Rational talks to you directly through a special teleconference series giving you access to the best minds in IBM Rational - product experts and market thought leaders who will answer your questions during these pre-scheduled telephone conference calls. Register today!
    FREE! Go There Now!


    NEW! Rational Talks to You: Scott Ambler on being agile in a global development environment

    Join this Rational Talks to You teleconference on December 6 at 1:00 pm ET to participate in an agile application development discussion and get your questions answered on using IBM Rational Method Composer in a distributed environment.Get your questions answered!
    FREE! Go There Now!


    NEW! Software Change and Configuration Management Solution Guidelines

    This whitepaper provides areas to consider when evaluating any software configuration management solution. It addresses how the IBM solutions (Rational ClearCase and Rational ClearQuest) meet the needs and requirements of both project leaders and developers to provide successful Software Change and Configuration Management.
    FREE! Go There Now!


    NEW! The dirty dozen: preventing common application-level hack attacks

    As organizations have grown increasingly dependent on online software, the risk of malicious attacks has also become far more serious. Fortunately, well-governed organizations can protect their Web applications by injecting vulnerability assessments and ethical hacks into their software development and delivery processes. This paper describes 12 of the most common hacker attacks and provides basic rules that you can follow to help create more hack-resistant Web applications.
    FREE! Go There Now!


    NEW! Using Rational Business Developer to enhance your developer productivity

    Join this Rational Talks to You teleconference, to hear how Enterprise Generation Language (EGL) eliminates the need for tedious and error-prone low level coding, so developers can focus on business requirements. EGL extends the Rational software development platform with a simplified programming language that enables developers who have little or no experience with Java, Web technologies or Service Oriented Architecture, to create enterprise-class applications and services quickly and easily. It also allows developers who may have little or no mainframe programming experience to quickly create traditional mainframe components.
    FREE! Go There Now!


    NEW! Webcast: Calling All Testers! Find Application Vulnerabilities Early in the Development Process Where they are Easier to Fix and Less Risky to your Business

    In this webcast, IBM Rational will discuss the importance of Web application security and will share techniques and best practices to introduce application security testing into current QA processes including: understanding common security vulnerabilities and techniques to integrate security testing with defect tracking and remediation systems in an effort to safeguard sensitive online information.
    FREE! Go There Now!


    NEW! Webcast: WebSphere Process Server

    WebSphere Process Server delivers a unique integration framework that simplifies existing IT resources. Often, as IT assets grow to support business demand, so too does their complexity and manageability. In this webcast, we’ll discuss how WebSphere Process Server helps deliver an SOA infrastructure that provides a common model to orchestrate, mediate, connect, map, and execute the underlying IT functions. Discover how WebSphere Process Server simplifies integration of business processes by leveraging existing IT assets as reusable services without the complexities of traditional integration methodologies.
    FREE! Go There Now!


    NEW! Whitepaper: Delivering SOA solutions: service lifecycle management

    The unprecedented scope of a service-oriented architecture (SOA) initiative brings to the forefront a number of management and governance issues that were sidestepped in the past. The key to a successful SOA implementation is managing and governing activities throughout the entire SOA delivery lifecycle by ensuring that services conform to the needs of all of the business’s stakeholders. Learn how service lifecycle management allows the business to ensure that the process by which services are defined, created, tested, deployed, optimized and retired is manageable, repeatable and auditable.
    FREE! Go There Now!



    All FREE IBM® developerWorks Tools!

    PHP BOOK REVIEWS ARTICLES

    - PHP 5 Objects, Patterns, and Practice
    - Pro PHP-GTK
    - Programming PHP, 2nd Edition
    - Pro PHP XML and Web Services
    - PHP Unleashed
    - Pro PHP Security
    - Essential PHP Security
    - Beginning PHP 5 and MySQL: From Novice to Pr...
    - Advanced PHP Programming
    - The Zend PHP Certification Practice Test Book
    - Essential PHP Tools
    - Web Database Applications with PHP & MySQL
    - O'Reilly's PHP Security Collection
    - Core PHP Programming - 3rd Edition
    - PHP and MySQL Web Development - Second Editi...





    © 2003-2010 by Developer Shed. All rights reserved. DS Cluster 8 Hosted by Hostway
    For more Enterprise Application Development news, visit eWeek