It can be tough to learn the concepts of object-oriented programming with a language like C++. Fortunately, PHP's simple object model makes it an ideal language for learning about object-oriented programming.

For the uninitiated, this guide to the latest version of PHP offers a speedy introduction to object-oriented programming, including a thorough explanation of classes as well as coverage of constructors, destructors, inheritance, polymorphism, and interfaces. In this easy-to-follow, example-filled guide, new concepts are coupled with fully-functional, ready-to-use PHP classes (all available for download from the book’s companion website, http://objectorientedphp.com).

You’ll learn to:
• Promote code reuse by creating your own classes and using built-in classes
• Customize and improve classes through inheritance
• Simplify database access by developing MySQL database and result set classes
• Incorporate an RSS reader into your site using only four lines of code
• Use XML easily with an object-oriented approach
• Employ PHP to autogenerate documentation for your code
• Make thumbnail images on the fly
• Replace clumsy error trapping with exception handling
• Take full advantage of advanced OO features in PHP
• Incorporate AJAX into your OO PHP code

Object-Oriented PHP will show you how to maximize PHP’s features, with much less work than you might think. With Object-Oriented PHP, you can master the basics of object-oriented programming and get up to speed on PHP in one fell swoop.

Visit the book's companion site for accompanying downloads and additional resources. For updates and corrections, visit the errata page.

Peter Lavin writes regularly on all things tech, from book reviews to web design, and runs a web development firm based in Toronto. He has been published in a number of magazines and online sites, including UnixReview.com and Doctor Dobb’s Journal, and is a contributor to PHP Hacks (O’Reilly).