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Ok, this is the last part of my reviews. This post listed some WEIRD and STRANGE questions I found in the phparch’s simulator exam. You may think these are some advanced features of the PHP5 language, but some of them are actually mention in the GUIDE also. However, some of the questions, I found that there maybe some errors in the question itself; in this case, I marked with the “*” in front of the question. Therefore, some of the answer I gave maybe not right, or maybe I get the meaning of the questions wrong. So, if you have any comment on this post, please feel free to comment or send me a message. Thanks!
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In this and the up-coming Post, I listed some extra questions I found during I took the phparch’s Vulcan Zend PHP 5 Certification Testings. This post listed some EASIER but will not be frequently asked in the actual exam I think. But, they are worthy noted here, they can also serve as check points for you previously learned knowledge.
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Since I mentioned before, I didn’t included the Language Basic and Function topics in these series of reviews, because I think you should already have a good knowledge about them. Anyway, if you have more time, then you can following this post to review some of these features in PHP. It mainly includes PHP’s String(since it is so important), Array, and Function feature; also, it contain some extra information just I think worthy to be reminded.
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Here is the second topic regarding the OOP paradigm. Trust me, read more about Design Pattern, don’t just for pass the exam sake. The exam regard to the Design Pattern and general OOP theory is very basic. Anyway, following I listed some basic Design Pattern may tested in the exam. Also, I think you should look into the SPL(standard PHP Library) and PECL(PHP Extension Community Library) and PEAR(PHP Extension and Application Repository).
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Object Oriented Programming is the norm in modern software programming. Sadly, prior PHP4, PHP lack a great OOP language support. PHP5 changes all that. That’s why the Exam has two topics especially regarding this area: the actual OOP feature in PHP5 and OOP design and theory. This post is a brief review on PHP5 OOP feature, you will spent some time on OOP in PHP if you are a well experienced structure-style programmer in PHP4 I think. OOP is actually easier once you shift you ideas around . Because, in life, not in one moment, we are not dealing with OBJECTS.
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Due to the fact that many hosting providers and live web sites are still using PHP4, and this situation is likely remaining for some time; the PHP5 Certification Exam has a topic on the difference between PHP4 and PHP5. You should have very good knowing that PHP5 has great improvement on which subject as well as deprecations on older code. I did post review on the Language Basic and Function topics in the exam, because I think these topic is too “basic” to write out and you should quickly or already know them. However, this post do start with some basic concept then migrating to the difference made in PHP5 as compare to older version; because I think this post is consider the “Language Level” subjects on PHP. So, here comes “what exactly language construct”…
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Security is very important for any application, particularly for web application. So the exam requires you have at least a very well understanding how the security problems actually affect todays web applications innovation. You must know some common security issues, the security issues not just regarding PHP itself. Since PHP is an embedded language, you should know the security defense on all three level, that is Web Server level, Data base level and PHP itself. In the rest of this post, list out a summary on this vast topic on Security. Be sure to check other sections(such as topics on Web Programming, Database, PHP Command Line Interface, etc) that related to security considerations.
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Although the GUIDE says the Exam is database neutral, but in fact, it is somewhat regarding the Mysql database. Anyway, you should have good understanding with the SQL, such as joins, indices, primary keys, multi query, ect. Regarding PHP, you should read something about the new mysqli extension as well as the PDO object.
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Finally, we get into the WEB PROGRAMMING. This is what php was made for! This is a VERY VERY important aspect in the exam. Make sure you have understood how COOKIE, SESSION, HTTP headers, SUPER GLOBALS, etc works in PHP. Also, the exam requires you know some of the PHP configuration directive (in the php.ini file) regarding PHP’s Web Features, such as “magic qoutes gpc”, “safe mode” etc. And in this area, many security issues also related. You should know some implements in PHP to avoid common security problems, such as what FORM TOKENS for; what’s Browser Fingerprinting for, and so on.
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Following previous review on Streams and Network, here is the XML and Web Service. This is more and more important area in php I think since most Web2.0 applications use XML and Web Service technology. Also, PHP5 comes a new XML extension, SimpleXML. The exam seems requires you know the difference between SAX (Simple API for XML) and SimpleXML extension and DOM extension in PHP. (more…)