Customer Reviews

Beginning SQL Queries: From Novice to Professional (Books for Professionals by Professionals)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm a computer-savy first time SQL'er. I found this book to provide a quick and complete introduction to SQL that allowed me to straight away get going. It's written from a practical stand point which is really useful if you're like me and just want to get the job done.

I also like the way book tackles the subject from two different angles - she calls it the Algebra or Calculus angles. Sounds mathematical but it simply means that when you're got a complicated problem you've got twice the chance of finding a solution.

This book comes totally recommended. I became quite intrigued by the stuff about how you should design your database right that I'm now reading her book on Database Design.

Disclaimer: although I have had nothing to do with this book and I have never met the author (we live at the antipodes of each other), I was the technical reviewer for her previous book - and I am the author of two SQL books, none of them for beginners.

Knowing Clare's style, I have been extremely surprised by some of the reviews of this book, which are rather harsh. I got a copy of "Beginning SQL Queries", and read it to have an opinion of my own.
Several reviewers complain about the references to algebra and calculus; I think they have missed Clare's point, which was to show that there are two writing styles with SQL. She could have called them style A and style B, but unfortunately she is rather precise in what she writes and chose to call them by their received names of algebra and calculus, which I agree are dirty names. Which one is algebra and which one is calculus is usually something I forget very fast, and I've practiced SQL for a quarter of a century; believe me, you can use both styles without knowing their names.
I also take objection to one reviewer's comment that "it is clear the author doesn't actually understand SQL. A table alias is not a 'row variable'". Perhaps Clare didn't make her point clear enough; but when you write a correlated subquery, as in

select ...
from ta outer
where exists
(select 1
from tb inner
where inner.id = outer.id)

"outer" (the table alias) in the subquery actually refers to the current row from the outer query. Perhaps an unusual way to introduce the topic; but I have always believed that the goal of a book should be to intellectually challenge the reader and bring him or her to see the topic in a different light.

All this being said, I'm not convinced by some aspects of the book. For one thing, if the author actually starts from the "novice" stage, she doesn't really bring the reader to the "professional" stage in my humble opinion; the coverage of topics like indexing is light, and none of the examples is even remotely as complex as what I routinely encounter. This makes the introduction (fortunately discrete) of formal notations look like an overkill with no real added value. Better to concentrate on the figures, which are extremely clear.

If you just wish to make some quick and dirty SQL job, "Beginning SQL Queries" is probably not a book for you - I guess that any tutorial on the web and a bit of trial and error will get you started. You won't go very far, but sometimes you don't want to.
I rather see this book as a good bridge between college and the professional world - it combines the rigor of text books (although it doesn't theorize, all the key points from the theory are here) with the conversational tone of books that are aimed at the professional world; strictly correct without being dry. It will not turn you into a full-blown database professional, but if what you have seen - or not seen - at school is hazy and if you are serious about ensuring that you have sound foundations, reading "Beginning SQL Queries" is a good way to start.

As somebody new to databases, I found this book to be a fantastic read, essential for any new comer. The book systematically educates the reader in a way that is palatable and enjoyable. My confidence level has risen immensely and I would recommend this book to anybody seeking to become proficient in SQL whilst avoiding unnecessary technical jargon. This is a resource that you will enjoy referencing again and again.

Last year I read and reviewed Clare Churcher's excellent little introduction to database design. Although I learnt enough SQL at the time to write working queries, I could not resist picking up this book when I recently saw it. And true to form, Clare Churcher has written another gem. What I particularly like about the style is that all examples are kept simple while conveying important concepts.
Two different ways to approach a query are introduced in the book, the "algebra" or "how-approach" and the "calculus" or "what-approach". Why two approaches? According to the book, student classes are equally divided in which approach they prefer. With two approaches to choose from there is a greater chance that anyone reading this book will find it useful. I'm personally greatly helped by the "what-approach" in reviewing old SQL code as well as writing new queries.
This book is a must for anyone learning SQL for the first time. In addition, it provides a refreshing new way of looking at SQL code for those who already know the basics.

I was able to use this book to teach myself SQL with no previous SQL experience and limited basic programming experience that was out of date. Enough said.

I have been developing for the web for only 2 years now and have had little experience with SQL apart from that which I learnt during a quick fire introduction to PHP. I have recently been developing Flash applications and small PHP web sites in which I was required to create ralational databases. I initially didn't have a leg to stand on. I found this book to be a life saver, it stepped me through exactly what I needed to do in every scenario I came across. Not only did I get my code working efficiently but I actually learnt what was going on behind the scenes and my confidence in writing SQL has grown immensely.
I highly recommend this book.

This is an excellent book to turn you into a SQL professional but not an expert. This isn't a book for complete beginners but for a person with some experience with databases. In other words, someone around the beginning to intermediate level because this book is all about SQL Queries and not how to setup, maintain and configure your database system.

Anyhow, this book focuses on SQL and not a specific Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). So check out another book if you're primarily focused on Oracle, MySQL or any other RDBMS. However, she does go over a few differences between vendors when it comes to SQL queries.

I bought this book to review SQL and clarify a few concepts. Now after finishing this book, I feel that my goals has been reached. I really enjoyed this reading this book, because Clare is an effective writer who provides clear and concise examples with helpful explanations. For example, she provides annotations on screen captures of tables from Access and MS Server instead of only writing a description of a query. Even though the chapters were short and fast-paced, I was never stretching my head too long to understand what was going on.

The only negative thing about this book is the queries don't have any semi-colons at the end.

I recommend this book for anyone taking a database course or anyone who wants a simple overview of SQL.

Tip:
All the table example data is listed after chapter 11. I suggested that you store that in your database before reading this book and so you can follow along easily.

One of my students bought this book to help them learn SQL. This is a horribly intimidating book for a beginner. It should be titled "Beginning SQL for Physics Doctorate Students".

First of all, SQL is not rocket science. Introducing calculus concepts (within the first 20 pages) as a way of making SQL more accessible is ridiculous. Second, it is clear the author doesn't actually understand SQL. A table alias is not a "row variable" - it is a table alias!

Clearly the author had to write a book to help the publisher recoup prior advances. Apress is one of my favorite computer book publishers and I was extremely disappointed that they published this book.

If you are looking for a good introduction to SQL, Que's Using SQL is still the best, although it is out of print.

I have working knowledge of SQL and wanted to get a book that starts with basic and goes deep into writing complex queries/stored procedures and this book is definitely not it. Author uses algebra and calculus (expressions) approach to writing queries which might be different than all the other SQL books I have read but it actually is more confusing. 95% of the book is used to cover simple SQL functions and the only "professional" part of the book that the author has covered is `indexing'. I think there are lot of other paid and free SQL material which is easier to understand with good examples and coverage. I would not suggest this book to anyone.

Wordy and obtuse. Typical PhD attempt at a user manual.
If you're a novice, it'll confuse you more than necessary; if you already know SQL, it'll bore you more than necessary.