Yet another recommend me books thread (computers)

Cafe Society
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So I am thinking of compiling a list of “must have” books on web design and database design and management type of stuff. I am working on designing my own web page and currently attend school for an IT major. I am basically teaching myself how design a web page, and only know a modicum of HTML and CSS. I have one book on HTML with a small section on CSS.

The book I have on HTML is a beginners book, and has served me somewhat well. So if possible I would like a book that is moderate skill level, and perhaps one for the advanced user. CSS, doesn’t matter, I have minimal skills with CSS ( http://adhochaven.net/ ) so I could probably use a good book that has beginner stuff. Most of what I know now comes from the web.

I have a textbook on Java for a class I will be taking this summer, but if anybody has recommendations on one feel free to offer some ideas. (This is the texbook I will be using)

Also I have on book on PHP, and would like to teach myself how to program in it eventually, but the book is pretty difficult to understand (perhaps a limited experience with programing so far, just visual basic 6). If there are any books that are good teaching PHP from a beginners level, I would love to hear of them.

All of your recommendations are greately appreciated!

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If you’re not familiar with w3schools, you’d probably do well to look around over there. The tutorials are usually enough for me to get up and running with an unfamiliar technology and do really basic stuff, and they’ve got nice references.

Once you have a basic familiarity with HTML, there’s really no need for an advanced textbook. What you really need is a reference that lists all the allowed tags, all their attributes, and gives you some idea of the right structure for a document. If you’re not familiar with XHTML, take a look here.

Your Java textbook shouldn’t matter a whole lot if you’ve got a decent teacher. If not, see if your school/department has a recommended reading list. Try the PHP again after the class and see if the extra programming experience hasn’t made a difference.