• Good Books for Web Development

    I’m teaching a couple of web development classes this semester and have been receiving a lot of questions as to what books would serve as good resources. Here’s a short list, starting with the ones I’ve chosen for my classes.

    1. HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites: This is possibly the best book I’ve used for HTML and CSS. It is visual, puts things in simple terms, and it’s up-to-date. I would strongly recommend this for beginners. I am using it for my E-Commerce 251 (Intro to E-Commerce) course.
    2. Web Database Applications with PHP and MySQL: This book (by O’Reilly Media) takes a good look at PHP and MySQL. It covers a range of topics from beginner PHP and an intro to Databases to a look at bigger topics, like security. I’m using it for my Media Info Tech 315 (Web Applications and Databases) course.
    3. Bulletproof Web Design: Improving flexibility and protecting against worst-case scenarios with HTML5 and CSS3: This book taught me everything I know about the right want to develop websites. Dan Cederholm is a pro and a great teacher who will take you through doing things, and making them bulletproof.
    4. Web Designer’s Guide to WordPress: Plan, Theme, Build, Launch: Once you’re comfortable with HTML, CSS, and PHP, you might want to get into WordPress. This book is an excellent starting point.
    5. Implementing Responsive Design: Building sites for an anywhere, everywhere web: Responsive Design is all the rage now, and for good reason. This book will tell you the principles of RWD and how to implement it in your site.
    6. The A Book Apart Books: Honestly I would recommend all of them, but the specifically web development ones are: HTML5 for Web Designers, CSS3 for Web Designers, Responsive Web Design, and Mobile First. 

    As you probably know, I also have a book, Building WordPress Themes from Scratch. However, there have been some changes the publisher has been doing lately and I am working with them to get the book in my hands. More on that here.

    Finally, I have another book coming out in December called Responsive Design with WordPress. I think this would work really well after books 4 and 5 on the above list. Keep an eye out for it; maybe I’ll even do a giveaway or two.

    What are your must-read web development books? Let me know in the comments!

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    Regarding Building WordPress Themes from Scratch

    Lately I have been receiving a lot of questions regarding the availability of my book, Building WordPress Themes from Scratch. After speaking with the publisher, Rockable Press, it seems they’ve had to make some unfortunate changes regarding their distribution model. From their website:

    All Rockable Press books are now exclusively available with any Tuts+ Premium subscription, where you can download our entire library as well as accessing a huge number of courses, tutorials and guides.

    At this point, the only way to get a hold of my book is to signup for a Tuts+ Premium subscription, which is $20/mo or $15/mo if you pay for a year in advance. I understand that this might not be the best option for some people, though I will say you get access to a lot of great resources.

    I am currently working with the good folks at Rockable Press about other options to get the book into your hands, including the possibility of distributing it myself. I will continue to update my website with any progress and news as it become available.

    I also wanted to thank everyone for their support and interest. This was my first book and it was very well received. I am currently working on my second WordPress book (out December). Keep an eye out for news on that as well!

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    Building WordPress Themes from Scratch FAQs

    How do I access the files from the book?

    If you go to Page 140 in the book, you’ll see a section called  “Your Download Links” with a link generated for you! Just click on that link (or type it into your browser if you got the print copy) and the accompany files will be downloaded to your computer. To make things easier, you can also click this link, which will take you to Github 🙂

    Do Lifetime Updates also come with the print version?

    Do they ever! When you buy the paperback version of the book, all you have to do is send a copy of your Amazon purchase receipt to upgrade@rockablepress.com and they’ll send you all 3 digital version of the book as well (PDF, ePub and Kindle). Once you have these three digital versions, we’ll send you the updated versions of the ebooks* when we we launch a revised edition of the book.

    *This does not include an updated version of the print book.

    Do you cover Responsive Web Design in your book?

    Unfortunately I do not. I really wanted to focus on WordPress theming and tapping into the API. I do cover it in my new book, Responsive Design with WordPress, out now!

    Is the book be available on Tuts+ Premium?

    It is! You can also buy it on Amazon again. Oh happy day!

    I found an error! How can I report it?

    Bummer! If you found an error, fill out the contact form and include the page number and what the error is. If you’d be so kind, make the Subject, “Errata.”

    Have other questions?

    Shoot me an email through the contact form on my main site and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.