MySQL for the not-so-newbie

[jkd]

I'm going to need PHP and MySQL for a project on the backburner. Fortunately, I have about a month to get reaquainted with PHP, and learn MySQL.

I've never worked with a database before, but have certainly tackled much harder subjects, which I why I'm looking for a good complete introduction to relational databases with emphasis on MySQL that doesn't assume I have a hard time tying my shoes ;).
In other words, does anybody have any links to free, online references that thoroughly explain relational databases, SQL, and the inner workings of MySQL, without holding my hand every step of the way? I live on details, and hate newbie tutorials that leave them out.

I'm eyeing a book (thanks George for the recommendation), however I'm trying to be cheap ;), but certainly won't hesitate buying if Internet resources turn out to be sparse.

Also, after I obtain a knowledge of MySQL, I'm going to be going straight into writing a) a CMS and b) a blog using PHP and the db, mainly for educational reasons (as plenty of scripts already exist). With that in mind, I learn better by well documented examples than I do tutorials - if anyone knows of site with examples in PHP and MySQL of doing such things (i.e. ideal db structure, tips to reduce queries, etc), please let me know ;).

Thanks. :)

[duniyadnd]

The following sites cover the basics of both programs and give articles on how to integrate them both. They are kinda tutorial sites, but the leash for these tutorials aren't too tight that you can't do more from what they showing. Sorry, not giving direct links to the articles:

DevShed.com (http://www.devshed.com)
PhpBuilder (http://www.phpbuilder.com)
Webmonkey.com (http://www.webmonkey.com)

There are more, but these are the ones I sometimes use for reference for some basic information.

For documentation for php, nothing is better than the online reference from Php.net (http://www.php.net)

You might want to also check out sites on how to install php and mysql. If you using an Apache server, or anything that goes under it, check out http://www.apache.org for documentation.

duniyadnd

[jkd]

Thanks for the references. I've already invested some time over at Webmonkey and Devshed, but I did however forget entirely about PHPBuilder, which I remember from past experience had excellent content.

:)

[WA]

The thing with mySQL is that there's quite a lot of abstract stuff that most online resources simply don't have the appetite to entertain. For example, how to correctly define your database, normalize it (make it lean), when to index a field etc. All these things you can do without, but come "open house" for your site, you'll notice something's wrong.

I truly believe a book is needed to learn mySQL, if just to quickly look up the SQL syntax, which there aren't many, but many variations of. But then again, I'm a beginner when it comes to this, so everything's confusing for me.

[Spookster]

A good site for getting started with SQL is here. www.sqlcourse.com

A good tutorial for getting started with mySQL and PHP is here. http://www.mysql.com/articles/ddws/

As for database design concepts they are universal so they can be applied to any database system. Here are some data modelling tutorials:

http://www.islandnet.com/~tmc/html/articles/datamodl.htm

http://www.agiledata.org/essays/dataModeling101.html

http://www.utexas.edu/cc/database/datamodeling/

[jkd]

Excellent, thanks for the links. :)

[Kiwi]

One little tip: spend more time on learning about data modelling and less on the syntax. As a rule, syntax is pretty straight-forward (SQL is anyway), but developing a good database design is the bit that most people get wrong. It's also the bit that has the most significant impact on performance, reliability, data-integrity and expanability.

[krycek]

Here we go:

1 PHP Street (http://http://www.1phpstreet.com/)
1 SQL Street (http://http://www.1sqlstreet.com/)
Evil Walrus (http://http://www.evilwalrus.com/)
PHP Freaks (http://http://www.phpfreaks.com/)
PHP Resource Index (http://http://www.php.resourceindex.com/)

I use those links myself, plus of course the offical docs at php.net and mysql.com. You can't beat the manuals and their user comments :)

::] krycek [::