Projektant - Programista PHP, Python

Last week I received my copy of new Symfony book: Symfony 1.3 Web Application Development. What is really interesting about this book that it has been released even before Symfony 1.3 Alpha version. The book gives an overview of Symfony Framework and covers almost each stage of application developing process: from creating the application structure and database schema, to creating the Admin Area, performance optimization and deployment. As we know the  best way to learn is to learn by example and this book describies how to build milkshake shop quite well.

The Good:

• dealing with forms: how to create, customize and submit the form. Also shows how to use sfExtraFormPlugins widgets for JavaScript/Ajax integration;
• plugins: installing and creating new plugins;
• security: dealing with user credentials;
• creating custom form formatters;
• creating and customizing admin area;
• internationalization: explained really well;
• delopoyment: preparing and transferring application to server;

The Bad:

• dealing with e-mail: intergartion with SwiftMailer in sf 1.3;
• it would be nice to see Zend Framework integration in practice;
• starting project with sf 1.3 and Propel - i really like Propel but sf 1.3 has much more better support for Doctrine;
• nothing about new installer option;
• nothing about updated form methods - useFields;
• some irritating inline css;

What i really like about this book:

• dealing with Symfony and memcache;
• optimization: templates caching

For me, it’s not enough. I think the Jobeet tutorial is better introduction to Symfony then Milkshake shop. So if we want to be introduced to all new Symfony 1.3 features - we would have to wait for some book upgrade or read the Symfony 1.3 documentation. My rate is 3 out of 5, i can recommend this book for beginners.