PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual Quickpro Guide, Second Edition

6. Error Handling and Debugging

Before getting into the heart of developing PHP- and MySQL-driven Web sites, I’m going to spend a few pages discussing the bane of the programmer: errors. As you gain experience, you’ll make fewer errors and pick up your own debugging methodologies, but there are plenty of tools and techniques you can use to help ease the learning process.

This chapter has three main threads. One focus is on learning about the various kinds of errors that can occur when developing dynamic Web sites and what their likely causes are. Second, a multitude of debugging techniques are taught, in a step-by-step format. Finally, you’ll see different techniques for handling the errors that occur in the most graceful manner possible.