A Guide to SQL (Paperback)

by Philip J. Pratt (Author), Mary Z. Last (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The author uses an interesting didactic innovation that every textbook writer should consider imitating: Instead of illustrating ideas with microprograms, which are good for almost nothing except illustrating the idea, Pratt develops two examples throughout the entire book. By the time you complete this thin but comprehensive volume, you will have completed two real databases. The book also contains embedded questions so you can check whether or not you've grasped specific concepts before proceeding to the next section. Pratt's extended case studies show how SQL programs can be layered on one another other to slowly build up functionality. As such, it serves both as an SQL language manual as well as an example of how to create relatively large SQL codes. This book does not make specific reference to any particular SQL implementation, so it can be used with any standard SQL engine. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
A GUIDE TO SQL, 8E, illustrates the basics of SQL programming using straightforward instruction and extensive hands-on exercises. Phil Pratt and Mary Last continue to present basic SQL commands in a business context using Oracle. A new running case, for a total of three, presents lessons in a real-world context for managing orders, parts, customers, and sales reps. The text provides hands-on projects at the end of each chapter, including review questions, running cases, and extensive exercises, providing students with the opportunity to solve problems and apply skills from each chapter.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology; 8 edition (October 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0324597681
• ISBN-13: 978-0324597684
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #579,846 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not really bad, but not that good either, May 19, 2003

By	"acdaniel" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guide to SQL, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

I didn't choose this book, it is required for an SQL class I am taking. In our class we are using Microsoft SQL Server 7, and the book tells you that the code will work on any flavors of SQL (or maybe I misread) but it actually focuses on Oracle. Some commands are really different for MSSQL,which uses Transact-SQL, and I have to do a lot of searching to find the equivalents in Microsoft's version.

The book is made for beginners, real beginners. It tells you a little bit about the history of SQL and stuff. Then it starts talking about databases in general, but it never gets really far, it just briefly explains what databases are, and I think people would want more than what is said here.

Then it starts with SQL scripting and all the normal chapters.

One thing I didn't like, is that in the first chapter it jumps you to the code, before explaining what it does. And it never really explains the code thoroughly. It could use more examples with different situations.

One more thing, this is the kind of book that you have to follow the little game. "We are building this database...", it's all been done for you, you never get to design or understand the concepts of designing a database, and doesn't explain a lot about foreign keys and relationships. It tells you "it's a real world database"...but you never really learn anything until you do it on your own.

I wouldn't recommend it...

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Guide To SQL, December 15, 1999

By	Michael L Holman (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guide to SQL (Paperback)

Sketchy at best. Gives some good examples but does not cover all of the SQL language. Jumps around a lot. Definitely not worth the 30+ dollars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD STARTING POINT FOR SQL LEARNING, November 3, 2006

By	Geo (San Juan, PR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guide to SQL (Paperback)

For SQL Learning "GUIDE TO SQL" is a good book. Its stays on the basics, and it assumes that you know how to differ a good DB design from a bad one. The book goes over the main stream of database systems, MSSQL, MYSQL, and Oracle, but it focuses the most on Oracle. This book is a good buy if you want to learn SQL fast.