Want to assert yourself as a cutting–edge PHP web developer? Take a practical approach, learning by example from author Quentin Zervaas, and discover how to bring together the many technologies needed to create a successful, modern web application. In Practical Web 2.0 Applications with PHP, PHP, MySQL, CSS, XHTML, and JavaScript/Ajax development techniques are brought together to show you how to create the hottest PHP web applications, from planning and design up to final implementation, without going over unnecessary basics that will hold you back. This book includes must–have application features such as search functionality, maps, blogs, dynamic image galleries, and personalized user areas. The Zend Framework is used extensively to build the application, allowing you to focus on developing the application rather than on reinventing the wheel. Topics covered include application planning and design, setting up the application framework, using CSS for easier styling, adding dynamic effects the easy way using JavaScript libraries such as Prototype and script.aculo.us, and implementing several must–have web application features such as user login, blogs, dynamic image galleries, search functionality, mapping with Google Maps, and much more. Zervaas covers everything in a practical, tutorial style so you can start working on your own projects as quickly as possible. Create cutting–edge PHP/MySQL web applications Implement must–have functionality such as blogs, maps, search functionality, and dynamic image galleries Master styling with CSS and dynamic effects using Ajax/JavaScript libraries What you’ll learn How to set up the perfect PHP/MySQL application development environment How to implement basic user management functionality How to use many of the components from the Zend Framework How to effectively make use of the Prototype and script.aculo.us JavaScript libraries, including many examples of developing custom JavaScript classes How to create standards–compliant and accessible HTML code and effectively style it using CSS How to create a basic blog system and enhance it with Ajax How to add personalized user areas to your web application How to create a dynamic image gallery How to add search functionality to your application How to use the Google Maps API to add maps to your application How to implement popular Web 2.0 features, such as microformats, tags, and web feeds Who this book is for This book is for any PHP developer who wants to stay ahead of the curve, with practical, high–level web application development techniques.