New Releases by Mike McGrath

Unix in easy steps demonstrates how to get the most from any Unix-based operating system using the built-in BASH shell interpreter - the "Bourne Again SHell" (BASH). This is the default shell for Linux distributions (such as Ubuntu), Mac OS X, Solaris, and for the Raspbian operating system on Raspberry Pi devices. This book will show you how to use the BASH command-line interface and how to employ BASH''s powerful programming abilities. Complete examples illustrate each aspect with colourised source code and full-colour screenshots depict the actual output. Unix in easy steps begins by demonstrating BASH commands for system navigation and file manipulation so you will quickly become familiar with the command-line interface. It explains all the BASH basics before moving on to describe advanced features such as: command historycommand-line editingenvironment customisation. This book then introduces BASH programming with examples of flow control, command switches, input/output, job control, and program debugging - allowing you to create your own executable programs by copying the book''s examples. Unix in easy steps has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to: users who are completely new to Unix-based operating systemscasual users who wish to expand their knowledge of their computer system.those who would like to learn programming skills by writing useful shell scriptsthe student who is studying programming at school or collegethose seeking a career in computing and need a fundamental understanding of the BASH interpreter on Unix-based operating systems.

Python in easy steps instructs you how to program in the powerful Python language, giving complete examples that illustrate each aspect with colourized source code. Python in easy steps begins by explaining how to install the free Python interpreter so you can quickly begin to create your own executable programs by copying the book''s examples. It demonstrates all the Python language basics before moving on to provide examples of Object Oriented Programming (OOP) and CGI scripting to handle web form data. The book concludes by demonstrating how you can use your acquired knowledge to create and deploy graphical windowed applications. Python in easy steps makes no assumption you have previous knowledge of any programming language so it''s ideal for the newcomer to computer programming. It has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to programmers moving from another programming language, and to the student who is studying Python programming at school or college, and to those seeking a career in computing who need a fundamental understanding of computer programming. Python is the language used to program the Raspberry Pi - covered by Raspberry Pi in easy steps.

The Raspberry Pi is a cheap, basic, programmable credit-card sized computer that plugs into your TV and a keyboard. It can be used for many of the things that your PC does, like spreadsheets, word-processing and playing games, but its real purpose is to inspire children (and grown-ups) to learn how to program. Over two million Raspberry Pis have been sold worldwide. The Raspberry Pi comes in two models: Model A has RAM, one USB port and no Ethernet (network connection)Model B has 256Mb RAM, two USB ports and an Ethernet port Raspberry Pi in easy steps starts with the basic components you’ll need, the desktop and how to command the system. Then in easy steps, it shows how to use Python to create games, develop windowed apps using Tkinter, add animations using Scratch, control electrical input and output, and much more. Use Raspberry Pi in easy steps to have fun going back to basics and creating your own applications.

CSS3 in easy steps instructs the user how to create exciting web pages using Cascading Style Sheets version 3 (CSS3) for presentation and dynamic effect. CSS3 in easy steps begins by explaining how style sheets can determine the presentation of elements within HTML documents. Examples show how Cascading Style Sheet rules control content position and its appearance with font style, color, gradients, and drop-shadow effects. You will also learn how rules can provide dynamic effect with animation, transformations, and transitions. Each chapter builds your knowledge of style sheets. By the end of this book you will have gained a sound understanding of CSS3 and be able to create your own exciting interactive web pages. The book examples provide clear syntax-highlighted code showing how to selectively style components of an HTML document and how to endow components with interactive functionality, to illustrate each aspect of CSS3 . CSS3 in easy steps has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to anyone who wants to begin creating stylish web pages. It will appeal to programmers who want to quickly learn the latest style sheet techniques, and to the student who is studying website design at school or college, and to those seeking a career in web development who need a thorough understanding of CSS3.

A guide to enhancing websites using cascading style sheets explaines how style sheets determine the presentation of HTML documents, providing examples designed to control the appearance of text, content boxes, tables, and other page elements.

JavaScript in easy steps, now in its 5th edition, instructs the user how to create exciting web pages that employ the power of JavaScript to provide functionality. You need have no previous knowledge of any scripting language so it''s ideal for the newcomer to JavaScript. By the end of this book you will have gained a sound understanding of JavaScript and be able to add exciting dynamic scripts to your own web pages. JavaScript in easy steps begins by explaining how to easily incorporate JavaScript code in an HTML document. Examples demonstrate how to use built-in JavaScript functions to work with Math, date and time, random numbers, cookies, text strings, and components of document content. You will learn how to create effects, such as an automated slide show, learn how JavaScript is used with HTML submission forms, and how to develop Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) using the latest techniques employing Asynchronous JavaScript And XML (AJAX). The book examples provide clear syntax-highlighted code showing how to create behaviors for an HTML document to endow components with interactive functionality, to illustrate each aspect of JavaScript. JavaScript in easy steps has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to anyone who wants to add functionality to their web pages. It will appeal to programmers who want to quickly add JavaScript to their skills set, and to the student who is studying website design at school or college, and to those seeking a career in web development who need an understanding of client-side scripting.

PHP and MySQL in easy steps will teach the user to write PHP server-side scripts and how to make MySQL database queries. It has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to: anyone who wants to begin producing data-driven web pages.web developers wanting to add database interaction to their web sites.the programmer who quickly wants to add PHP and MySQL to their skills set.the hobbyist who wants to begin creating scripts for upload to their own ISP.the student, and to those seeking a career in computing, who need a fundamental understanding of server-side programming with PHP and MySQL. PHP & MySQL in easy steps demonstrates by example how to produce data-driven web pages using the powerful PHP scripting language and the popular free MySQL database server. The book examples provide clear syntax-highlighted code showing how to selectively insert and extract data from databases for presentation on your web browser. PHP & MySQL in easy steps begins by explaining how to install a free web server, the PHP interpreter, and MySQL database server, to create an environment in which you can produce your very own data-driven server-side web pages. You will learn how to write PHP server-side scripts and how to make MySQL database queries. Examples illustrate how to store and retrieve Session Data, how to provide a Message Board, and how to create an E-Commerce Shopping Cart. This book assumes you have no previous experience of any programming or scripting language so is ideal for the newcomer to PHP and MySQL technologies.

SQL is THE standard language used world-wide for database communication on all popular database software. It allows the storage and manipulation of data both on Windows platforms and on Unix-based platforms, such as Linux. SQL in easy steps, 3rd edition has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to anyone who wants to begin using databases. It is aimed at those with little or no experience of SQL. From web developers wanting to add database interaction to their web sites, programmers wanting to quickly add SQL to their skills set, hobbyists who want to begin creating SQL scripts for upload to their own ISP, to students or to those seeking a career in computing, this book will appeal to all who need a fundamental understanding of database administration with SQL. SQL in easy steps, 3rd edition begins by explaining how to download and install the free MySQL database server on both Windows and Linux platforms. This allows you to establish an environment in which to develop and administer your own databases. This book makes no assumption that you will have previous knowledge of any programming or scripting language so it''s ideal for the newcomer to SQL. Each chapter builds your knowledge of executing database queries. The book contains exciting chapters on how to selectively extract data from within one, or more, databases and there are complete examples that illustrate each aspect of SQL. By the end of this book you will have gained a sound understanding of the Structured Query Language and be able to write your own SQL scripts to insert, extract and manipulate data. Updated and revised with the latest techniques since the second edition, which was published in 2005. All examples given in this 3rd edition demonstrate SQL features using the current MySQL Relational Database Management System that is supported on both Windows and Linux operating systems. Table of Contents 1) Introducing SQL 2) Getting Started 3) Creating database tables 4) Inserting data into tables 5) Retrieving data from tables 6) Sorting retrieved data 7) Simple data filtering 8) Complex data filtering 9) Generating calculated fields 10) Manipulating data 11) Grouping table data 12) Making complex queries 13) Joining database tables

jQuery in easy steps instructs you how to script dynamic web pages using the popular jQuery JavaScript library, giving complete examples that illustrate each aspect with colourized source code. jQuery in easy steps begins by explaining how to incorporate the free jQuery library so you can quickly create interactive web page features by copying the book''s examples. It demonstrates how to easily select elements of the web page for manipulation and how to simply produce dynamic responses to user events. Examples illustrate various exciting animation effects and how to employ the power of AJAX to load external data without refreshing the entire web page. The book concludes by demonstrating how you can use your acquired knowledge to create your very own distributable plugins for the jQuery library. jQuery in easy steps assumes you will already have some basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and are now ready to embrace the jQuery philosophy of "write less - do more" to enhance your web pages. It has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to web developers who want to quickly learn the latest dynamic techniques, and to the student who is studying website design at school or college, and to those seeking a career in web development that need a thorough understanding of jQuery.

Offers advice on the best way to grow tomato plants and information on different types of tomatoes.

Provides information on using App Inventor to build and deploy applications for Android devices.

From backyards to terraces, You Bet Your Tomatoes is a guide to growing heirloom tomatoes. From a radio host and master gardener, this deliciously funny little book is also a serious guide on how to start and nurture an heirloom tomato patch.

C++ Programming in easy steps instructs you how to program in the powerful C++ language, giving complete examples that illustrate each aspect with full colour screenshots and colourised code. Now, in its fourth edition, C++ Programming in easy steps begins by explaining how to download and install a free C++ compiler so you can quickly begin to create your own executable programs by copying the book''s examples. It demonstrates all the C++ language basics before moving on to provide examples of Object Oriented Programming. The book concludes by demonstrating how you can use your acquired knowledge to create programs graphically in the free Microsoft Visual C++ Express Integrated Development Environment (IDE). C++ Programming in easy steps has an easy-to-follow style that will appeal to anyone who wants to begin programming in C++. It will appeal to programmers moving from another programming language, and to the student who is studying C++ programming at school or college, and to those seeking a career in computing who need a fundamental understanding of object oriented programming.

Explains essential skills and concepts, including providing page information, creating body content, inserting hyperlinks, writing lists and tables, embedding media content, and building input forms.

Begun as a small-scale labor of love, Linux has blossomed into the world''s most versatile and flexible operating system. The reasons for its appeal are manifold: This open source OS allows numerous users to simultaneously work with multiple applications without experiencing any traffic problems, thus making it an ideal operating system for web servers. In addition, Linux is an extremely stable operating system that serves as a platform for an ever-growing number of quality applications. And not least, it''s free! You can download it for nothing from the Internet. With Linux In Easy Steps, joining the Linux Revolution is as easy as one, two, three. Following its simple instructions, you can learn to install the operating system, explore the desktop, and launch great applications. This fully illustrated primer teaches you to climb the Linux directory tree, navigate with the File Browser, and much more. Its easy-to-understand tutorials guide you through the OpenOffice business suite and media applications that let you enjoy the web, music, video, and graphics. Later chapters show you how to use the Linux shell to communicate directly with the kernel at the very heart of the operating system, allowing you total control over your Linux system. Linux In Easy Steps opens the door to a whole new world of digital possibilities!

Provides information on using Visual Basic, covering such topics as setting properties, using controls, building an application, scripting, debugging, and creating a database.

Provides information for readers on the features and functions of Java.

''Visual Basic Express'' begins by describing the installation process then introduces form controls, applications properties, the programming language, and problem-solving techniques. It illustrates, by example, how to build and deploy a complete Windows application.

Reveals why compost is the answer to virtually every garden question. McGrath explains why compost improves soil structure; why it provides the perfect amount of food for every plant; how it fights plant diseases more safely and effectively than any chemical fungicide; and how to make your own.--From publisher description.

Introduces Practical Enquiry and Reporting Language (PERL)for server-side scripting, using examples to demonstrate each step. Illustrates how PERL scripts can dynamically create web page content and also handle data sent from the web browser when it is received on the server.