PHP has become even more powerful as a Web development tool with the addition of two new modules -- PHP-GTK and PEAR::DB. Advanced PHP for Web Development fills a void in the PHP book market for an advanced-level book showing how to create complex Web sites. The authors create custom graphics using PHP-GTK to make application interfaces more intuitive to users. They also show how to create Web applications that are database independent -- not relying on MySQL or MS SQL, or Oracle--using the new PEAR::DB module! Through working code examples and applications, Cosentino takes readers through intermediate tasks that will have an impact on the usability of their Web site, including how to create friendlier forms and use different user-authentication themes. Later sections of the book take readers through more complex code examples and applications, so that, by the end of the book, the reader will be armed with the skills (and working code) to create powerful PHP-backed Web sites!