Book excerpt: Learn PHP, the programming language used to build sites like Facebook, Wikipedia and WordPress, then discover how these sites store information in a database (MySQL) and use the database to create the web pages. This full-color book is packed with inspiring code examples, infographics and photography that not only teach you the PHP language and how to work with databases, but also show you how to build new applications from scratch. It demonstrates practical techniques that you will recognize from popular sites where visitors can: Register as a member and log in Create articles, posts and profiles that are saved in a database Upload their own images and files Automatically receive email notifications Like and comment on posts. To show you how to apply the skills you learn, you will build a complete content management system, enhanced with features that are commonly seen on social networks. Written by best-selling HTML & CSS and JavaScript & jQuery author Jon Duckett, this book uses a unique visual approach, with step-by-step instructions, practical code examples and pro tips that will teach you how to build modern database-driven websites using PHP.