php-cert-apr-2021.md

PHP Test Prep -- 2021

TODO

• Documentation on --enable-zend-multibyte

HOMEWORK

• For Wed 5 May 2021
  • Quizzes for Section 7 (Functions)
  • Quizzes for Section 8 (OOP)
  • 2nd Mock Exam!!
• For Mon 3 May 2021
  • Quizzes for Section 4 (Strings and Patterns)
  • Quizzes for Section 5 (Arrays)
  • Quizzes for Section 6 (I/O)
  • First Mock Exam!

Class Notes

• Detailed list of topic areas:
  • https://www.zend.com/training/php-certification-exam
• Bitwise tutorial:
  • https://www.w3resource.com/php/operators/bitwise-operators.php
• php.ini settings:
  • https://www.php.net/manual/en/ini.list.php
  • https://www.php.net/manual/en/configuration.changes.modes.php
• Extensions
  • https://www.php.net/manual/en/intro.opcache.php
• Garbage Collection
  • https://www.php.net/gc_collect_cycles
  • https://www.php.net/manual/en/features.gc.performance-considerations.php
• XML
  • https://www.w3schools.com/xml/xpath_intro.asp
  • Great study of Soap + XML vs. REST + JSON
    • https://www.ateam-oracle.com/performance-study-rest-vs-soap-for-mobile-applications
• DateTime
  • Examples of DateInterval format codes: https://www.php.net/manual/en/dateinterval.createfromdatestring.php
  • Formats: https://www.php.net/manual/en/datetime.formats.php
  • Yes, there is a date function that calculates Easter Day :-)
    • https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.easter-date.php
• Alternate character encoding
  • Can be set per script using declare()
  • zend.multibyte=1 php.ini directive required
  • MB String extension required
  • Unable to find any reference to --enable-zend-multibyte option in PHP 7.1 configure --help
  • See: https://www.php.net/manual/en/control-structures.declare.php
• Security
  • Test is based on this: https://www.php.net/manual/en/security.php
  • https://www.php.net/manual/en/ref.session.php

OOP

• Make sure you're up to speed on magic methods
  • https://www.php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.magic.php
• Be sure to study the Serializable interface!
  • https://www.php.net/manual/en/class.serializable.php
• Late Static Binding
  • https://www.php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.late-static-bindings.php
• Traits
  • https://www.php.net/traits
• Super important: make sure you study up on ArrayObject

Repo Setup:

Setup Docker / Docker Compose

• Install docker
  • CentOS: https://docs.docker.com/install/linux/docker-ce/centos/#install-docker-ce
  • Debian: https://docs.docker.com/install/linux/docker-ce/debian/
  • Fedora: https://docs.docker.com/install/linux/docker-ce/fedora/
  • Ubuntu: https://docs.docker.com/install/linux/docker-ce/ubuntu/
  • Windows: https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-windows/install/
  • Mac: https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-mac/install/
• Install docker-compose
  • https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/

Build the Image

• Unzip the zip file provided by your instructor into a directory /path/to/repo
• From a terminal windows (or command prompt):

cd /path/to/repo
docker-compose build

• To run the image:

docker-compose up -d

Use the Image

• To access the image from a browser:

http://10.30.30.30/php_cert
// or
http://localhost:8888/php_cert

• To open a shell into the container:
  • From Linux:

docker exec -it php_cert /bin/bash

• From Windows or Mac
  • Locate the running container in Docker Desktop
  • Click on the CLI >_ icon to open a shell
• To access the database:
  • From the CLI: mysql -u root zend
• Code examples are located (inside the container) in /srv/code

Past Notes:

• https://github.com/dbierer/php-class-notes/blob/master/php-cert-aug-2020.md
• https://github.com/dbierer/php-class-notes/blob/master/php-cert-jun-2020.md

ERRATA

• 2/56/84: correct answer s/be B and C.
  • PSR-4 is only applicable if the question addresses directory structure and namespace.
  • Also, the test does not address the PSR standards.
  • Finally: the PSR-4 standard wasn't available when PHP 7.1 was introduced (verify)
• 2/58/85: question contradicts the answer.
  • Mara + Kinga: D; Chloris: A
  • Better question: what is the output of the following?
    • A. "HelloWORLD" and a Notice
    • B. "HELLOWorld" and a Warning
    • C. "HelloWorld"
    • D. None of the above

<?php
// see: 02-58-85.php in this repo
namespace X {
    define('HELLO', 'Hello');
    const WORLD = 'World';
}
namespace Y {
    echo HELLO . WORLD;
}
// output: "HelloWORLD" + Notice: undefined constant

• 2/67: Answer s/ have " 16"
• 4/41/175: correct answer: 255 255.000000
• 4/57: old question left over from PHP 5.5 exam: ignore
  • Should be rewritten as follows: "C. The zend.multibyte php.ini setting must be enabled"
• 5/17: array_search(): Returns element key value, or boolean false. A third boolean parameter includes type checking.
• Mock Exam #2: "Given that $fp is a stream resource, enter the function that outputs a file's contents"
  • Correct Answer: fpassthru
• 12/8/???: "Aggregate Catch Blocks"
  • Example doesn't help. How about this:

try {
    $pdo = new PDO($params);
    $pdo->setAttribute(PDO::ATTR_ERRMODE, PDO::ERRMODE_EXCEPTION);
} catch (PDOException | ArgumentCountException $e) {
    error_log('Database error: ' . date('Y-m-d H:i:s'));
} finally {
    echo 'Database connection ';
    echo ($pdo) ? 'succeeded' : 'failed';
}

• Mock Exam 2
  • "Of the options given, which satisfy the array type hint?"
    • There is not array type hint!