Three popular Web development tools, covered together in an easy-to-understand book. Carefully steps the reader through the basic installation and set-up of PHP, MySQL, and Apache. Shows the beginner how to combine these technologies to quickly create simple interactive Web applications. CD-ROM Starter Kit allows the reader to easily install a safe, foolproof learning environment for either a Windows- or Linux-based PC. Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL, and Apache in 24 Hours combines coverage of these three popular open-source Web development tools into one easy-to-understand book — and it comes packaged with one easy-to-use Starter Kit CD for Windows or Linux. The book teaches the reader to install, configure and set up the PHP scripting language, the MySQL database system, and the Apache Web server. By the end of this book the reader will understand how these technologies work, and — more importantly — how they can work together to create a dynamic Web site. After creating a simple Web site using these tools, the reader will be able to manage a simple mailing list, and to create an online address book, shopping cart, and storefront. The book also teaches the reader how to fine tune Apache and MySQL, and covers simple Web server security. Julie Meloni is the technical director for i2i Interactive, a multimedia company located in Campbell, CA. She has been developing Web-based applications since the early days of the Web, and is the author of several books and articles on Web-based programming languages and database topics, such as Sams Teach Yourself MySQL in 24 Hours.