PEAR is the PHP Extension and Application Repository, and is a framework and distribution system for reusable, high-quality PHP components, available in the form of "packages". In this book, you will learn how to use a number of the most powerful PEAR packages to boost your PHP development productivity. By focusing on the packages for key development activities, this book gives you an in-depth guide to getting the most from these powerful coding resources.You will become a master of various PEAR packages that help you with the essential tasks of PHP development:. Accessing databases with MDB2. Displaying data in a range of formats (HTML, Excel spreadsheet, PDF). Creating and parsing XML documents. Serializing PHP objects into XML, and unserializing XML documents to PHP objects. Consuming and offering web services. Accessing Web APIs including Google, Yahoo, Amazon, and Technorati