Core Web Application Development with PHP and MySQL

Chapter 11. Using Databases: Advanced Data Access

In Chapter 10, "Using Databases: Storing and Retrieving Data," we looked at the SQL language and saw how to use it for the basics of table manipulationsinsertion of data, retrieval of records, updating, and deletion. In this chapter, we will build on these basics and move on to more advanced SQL concepts and language constructs.

By the end of this chapter, we will cover

• When, where, and how to use transactions

• How to perform more advanced SQL tasks, such as using expressions and functions

• How to modify table schemas to add or remove columns or change the name of a table