"Server-Side Flash: Scripts, Databases and Dynamic Development"
by William B. Sanders, Mark Winstanley
I recently bought this book, and it's got great ideas for integrating Flash, PHP, and MySQL, and also the same concepts could be used with Flash and any other server-side script/program and RDBMS. However, I'm looking for something that goes a little deeper. Any suggestions?
There is a new book out called Foundation PHP for Flash.. Haven't read it but it looks nice. They design several big projects in it like a Flash+PHP message board.
Originally posted by TotalMonkey
"Server-Side Flash: Scripts, Databases and Dynamic Development"
by William B. Sanders, Mark Winstanley
Just thought I should mention one of the things about the book that disappointed me: one of the four "units" (sections?) of the book, 2 chapters total, dealt with game concepts for flash. I thought there might be some awesome discussion of creating Flash games with a PHP backside (my current main interest), but nowhere in the entire section (neither chapter, that is) does it mention server-side scripting -- which I thought was sort of the basis of the book! Sort of a let down, but the book would be good for any flash user who wants to learn more.
Don't know if you're interested, but a mate I know is developing a game based on the original game 'civilization' in flash and PHP/MySQL. His site is at http://www.indivision.net and there's a forum there where you can ask questions (not sure how far he's got with the game yet;\).
As you probably know already, Flash works great w/ PHP. I just built a Real Video content management tool with a Flash front end and it works so well it makes you want to cry.
I do have some fears, though: Macromedia (makers of Flash) also own Allaire, who makes ColdFusion. Now, ColdFusion is also great with Flash, but it costs money so I chose PHP.
My nightmare: I know they probably wouldn't do this, but what if Macromedia makes Flash incompatible with PHP? What if Flash 6 only allows variables from a CF server with some kind of authentication? Is this even possible? If so, it would trash my applications, and a lot of others'.
It would be like Microsoft all over again!:eek:
haha nightmare indeed - I can't imagine they'd want to stop PHP heads from talking to macromedia based applications you know? The number of people choosing PHP as their primary web scripting language must be on the up and up (can't quote any stats unfortunately, crap or what;\). Macromedia would be taking a gamble cutting PHP users out of the picture hoping that they'd move over to CF (which I've heard is pretty pants in comparison to PHP).
Let's hope macromedia don't go that way.
You have to remember that it's not just PHP they'd be ousting, but every other scripting language including ASP, Perl, and Python... they'd virtually be saying "F- You" to probably 80% of the web-scripting community. I don't see it happening.
Also, does anyone know of any more advanced resources which discuss using PHP with Flash?
TotalMonkey!
Realistically I don't either, but it's still a horrifying possibility that will lurk in the back of my mind until Flash 6 is out and all my apps are working in it.