A Web-Based Introduction to Programming

A Web-Based Introduction to Programming combines basic HTML and CSS with PHP and MySQL to introduce essential programming syntax, operations, and control structures. The hands-on Web-based approach is designed for students with no previous experience and offers a suitable first programming course for a range of disciplines. The book makes use of a freely available lampp distribution that students can install in minutes on any Windows, Macintosh or Linux computer with no need to access a remote Web server.

Topics include: algorithms, markup and style sheets, basic PHP syntax, text file processing, selection structures, loop structures, indexed and associative arrays, Web sessions, functions, database queries, and object-oriented programming. The appendices provide additional topics and tools: data representation; file addressing, using the command line, security and validation, FTP, version control with git and GitHub, and phpMyAdmin. Chapters begin with a list of clear learning outcomes and end with quizzes and three levels of code exercises: "fixit" exercises challenge students to fix specific syntax and logical errors; "modify" exercises require additions to existing code; "complete code" exercises provide requirements for simple applications. Note that instructors can "cherry pick" suitable topics after the first few chapters.

The fifth edition has been significantly updated and includes expanded coverage of HTML, CSS and PHP, as well as introductions to a number of useful tools. The Web site https://www.mikeokane.com/textbooks/wbip/ provides support for software installation as well as student "Hints and Help" pages, and instructor resources.

This is the best logic book I have ever had in over 25 years of teaching!"

— Bob Husson, Craven Community College

I teach intro to programming and algorithms and I have used this book for three terms. It is excellent. The book's content leads students through the examples in a natural way that makes learning traditional programming concepts easy, and students retain the concepts. The coding exercises build upon each other from algorithms all the way through small PHP programs. As a teacher I highly recommend this book for students and instructors alike."

— Charlie Wallin, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

The textbook, A Web-Based Introduction to Programming, was my first exposure to PHP. I could not have asked for a better introduction. The explanations, examples, and order of topics covered, made teaching and learning the basics of PHP a simple process. My students found the exercises and assignments at the end of each chapter fun but challenging. My only regret is that I did not discover this book sooner."

— Joe Sherrill, Martin Community College (retired)

I have used all of the previous editions of this book to teach Introduction to Programming courses. Many students comment on the ease of learning, the organization of the material, and the level of understanding that they have achieved. As an instructor, the book provides me with a complete learning environment that allows me to focus on the needs of individual students. Highly recommend."

— Constance Humphries, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

One attractive feature of the text is the rapidity with which it moves from the very basic to more advanced concepts: before the reader knows, it is discussing databases and the basics of MySQL, and the subjects are presented in a smoothly-flowing way that is a pedagogic marvel. Plenty of code examples and exercises and several appendices with more in-depth discussions of some important subjects make this a recommended text for both classroom and self-study."

— ProtoView