This document provides an overview of object-oriented design principles and patterns as they relate to PHP programming. It discusses some key concepts:
1. It introduces some basic OOP concepts in PHP like creating objects, using references, and late binding.
2. It discusses design patterns that can be applied in PHP like the singleton pattern for creating a single instance of a class and working around the lack of static properties.
3. It covers why metaphors like "software as construction" that informed heavy methodologies don't apply as well to modern web application development with its changing requirements and constant release cycles. Lightweight agile processes are better suited.