Product DescriptionSQL--Structured Query Language--is the language all relational databases use to make enquiries. This essential book teaches SQL programming in the shortest possible time. It covers both the ANSI standard as the minimum requirement, and also discusses different implementations. It also serves as a handy reference.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Still the best
Ok, it's 10 years since this book was written and it is still the one I use as my SQL reference.
One note - I'm a programmer, not a DBA. So my SQL needs are pretty simple. But if you want a basic reference that covers all of the basics clearly - this is the book.
Rating: - A Good Start
Probably not the best book ever written for SQL, let alone for beginners.
However, it is the one I used to learn SQL. It covers the basics in a fairly concise manner, enough so to be able to move on to a more advanced book. I read it cover-to-cover, and didn't agonize over the side-tracking or standards discussions. What I wanted was the details on the syntax of the language and an understanding of what the statements do, and that is what was provided along with some basic examples. By ... Read More
Rating: - Very Disappointed -- Not for Beginners
I had to buy this book for an online class I'm taking. The teacher probably wanted it because of the [very old] software [on floppys] to use with the class. The book itself is basically on the border of terrible for someone like me who is new to SQL (even though I am a senior CS student). Uses a lots of terminology that he doesn't explain. Not very good examples. Cannot skip between chapters without confusion. Overall, this is the worst computer book that I have purchased. I'm looking for a ... Read More
Rating: - frustration and disappointment
The book starts with installation notes telling reader that instead of using password such and such and id such, as it is described in the software's help, you rathre have to use password "sql" and password "dba". I tried to enter "sql" and "dba" into the password-asking dialog box, and it did not work. Then I realized that it is password "sql" and USERID "dba", and not only it is a misprint, they are listed in a reverse order: first you enter "dba", and second - "sql". That's on the very first page. ... Read More
Rating: - Beginners Beware
Database design and SQL are difficult subjects but a book for beginners should make every effort to accomodate the beginner by simplifying it as much as possible. And, to a degree, this book does that. But there are too many forays into outer space. Consider this passage from page 122: 'You can summarize the rule as follows: if X and Y are columns and X is a key, then for any Z which is a proper subset of X, it can't be the case that Z determines Y.' No matter how elegant, I don't think anyone would ... Read More
- Still the best
- A Good Start
- Very Disappointed -- Not for Beginners
- frustration and disappointment
