Database Systems Using Oracle: A Simplified Guide to SQL and PL/SQL [Paperback]

Nilesh D. Shah (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2002

For Database Systems courses focusing on SQL and/or Oracle, Oracle courses, and SQL courses offered in departments of Computer Science, CIS, MIS, IT and Continuing Education. Database Systems Using Oracle first introduces students to relational database concepts and database designing techniques, teaching them how to design and implement accurate and effective database systems. With its subsequent in-depth coverage of SQL (the universal query language for relational databases) and PL/SQL (Oracle's procedural language extension to SQL), this text serves not only as an introductory guide but also as a future reference. The author concludes with an introduction to the architecture and administration of Oracle 8, the new features of Oracle 8i, and the concepts of object orientation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Oracle is the premier database package used in industry and it is the preferred choice of many academic institutions to teach relational database applications. Database Systems Using Oracle provides the most comprehensive coverage of the Structured Query Language (SQL) and the Programming Language/ Structured Query Language (PUSQL) in Oracle version 8 or higher.

Mastery of Oracle SQL and PUSQL languages is greatly facilitated by the provision of clear, step-by-step instructions, supplemented by hands-on examples, exercise questions, and lab activities. Throughout the text the author uses two real-life running databases as a model as well as a dedicated section on SQL statements with an additional third database scenario. Exposure to these databases increases comprehension of real-life database issues.

Features:

• Comprehensive coverage of the relational concepts and the database designing techniques necessary to design and implement effective database systems.
• Thorough coverage of SQL.
• Complete coverage of PL/SQL.
• An introduction to the architecture and administration of Oracle 8, Oracle 8I, and the concept of object orientation.
• Each chapter contains many exercise questions and lab activities promoting the "learn-by-doing" approach.
• A companion website offers instant student assessment materials and PowerPoint slides for each chapter.

About the Author

Nilesh Shah, Ph.D., has been teaching for more than a decade. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the New Jersey campus of DeVry. He also works as a systems analyst at Monroe College, New York. Dr. Shah is associated with many prestigious technology companies as a freelance consultant.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1st edition (January 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130909335
• ISBN-13: 978-0130909336
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,544,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful learning tool, June 4, 2002

By 

Linda Zarate "IT Ops Consultant" (Azusa, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Database Systems Using Oracle: A Simplified Guide to SQL and PL/SQL (Paperback)

This book is remarkable for the clear manner in which it explains the basics of relational databases in general and Oracle in particular. I am currently in training for Oracle Certified Professional and had been using study guides and class material to learn Oracle. These are fine for passing the OCP exam, but they leave many gaps in the finer points which lead to thoroughly understanding Oracle.

Since this book's goal is to explain Oracle's SQL Plus and PL/SQL languages instead of getting you through an examination with a passing grade it goes into details that my training missed. I especially like the way that database concepts, design and modeling are covered in the first chapter, and the step-by-step approach to teaching SQL and PL/SQL by actually performing useful tasks such as creating tables and working with tables.

In addition to the basics, this book covers advanced topics such as row locking, performance and joins and set operations. PL/SQL is given the same thorough treatment as SQL Plus and as you read through the book and actually perform the tasks on a real Oracle instance your understanding and skill level increases greatly. Since PL/SQL is rich in features and programming constructs the care with which the author explains the basics and how to apply them in a real environment made learning fun and builds your self confidence.

I also liked the attention given to database administration tasks in the final part of the book, and found the SQL Plus and PL/SQL quick reference in the back of the book useful on many occasions.

If you don't have the luxury of attending Oracle training this book is an excellent substitute, and even if you're going through OCP training this book will fill in the gaps that will surely arise since the course is fast paced. Note that this book uses Oracle 8i as the example environment, but the material works with the newer 9i version too.