Customer Reviews

A Guide to SQL

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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...

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.

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.

My comments are about the 6th and 7th editions of the book. It was the required text for a college course about Structured Query Language. The school offered other courses about database theory and design. The book only covers SQL. It is not about database theory or database design. The book assumes the reader either understands database theory or is taking a database concepts course and is required to also learn SQL.

In the first chapter it presents 2 (6th) or 3 (7th) databases that are used throughout the book to teach SQL. The chapters are relatively short but are packed with material and have summaries, lists of key terms, review questions and plenty of exercises (for each database). We were required to work through all the end-of-chapter sections.

I believe you can best learn sql by using it and the chapter exercises allow you to do that. The database we used was MS Access and the sample databases were already set up for us. The book comments on differences in SQL syntax between various popular databases.

I was surprised to read some of the negative comments made by other posters although some of them were about earlier editions. Don't buy this book expecting to learn database theory or design; it has a narrow focus, as the title suggests: SQL.

I still refer back to this book, among others, when I have a question about SQL syntax.

I am a beginning student of databases, and bought several highly-rated SQL books on Amazon (SQL Server Unleashed, MS SQL Server Database Essentials, Welling's MYSQL Tutorial, SQL Queries for Mere Mortals, Learning SQL, the SAMS 21 Day book, etc.) This one has been the most helpful for purposes of learning query language. The "databases" topic is really several different topics: database design, database administration, how to make your particular software work, querying, and more. Many books try to cover it all and get very thick and confusing in the process. This is a great book for learning and more importantly PRACTICING query language. SQL is best learned by DOING, so the practice exercises at the end of each chapter, which start easy and build to the more difficult, are just great. Early in the book you create 5 simple tables that the author uses for the examples and exercises throughout the book (there are also two additional simple databases that have chapter-end exercises throughout the book). You're not constantly familiarizing yourself with new data, which frees you to focus on learning new skills. I recommend using this book in conjunction with a database design textbook (the author has written one that I haven't seen but is probably good; I happened to purchase the Rob/Coronel book which is good) and an installation/configuration/administration type book that will help you navigate your software (for example, MS SQL Server Database Essentials -- choose a book that matches the software you will be working with).

This is a skill-building book rather than a reference book -- if you really work through it, you won't need it as a reference ever again because it is possible to absorb and retain everything it offers. Query language is deceptively simple, so even though this is a beginner book, it will take you to an intermediate skill level.

I have used several editions of this book with nary a complaint from students. The book uses real, honest-to-goodness, standard SQL. SQL is a standardized language, but the 900 lb. gorillas in the market like Oracle and Microsoft refuse to follow the standard. If you use some flavor of Microsoft Jet SQL or Oracle, this book will be of use, but will not teach you all of the "extensions" that the big SQL players have made in their proprietary versions of SQL. Still, pretty much all of the code in this book will run, even from the bone-headed SQL prompt in Microsoft Access!

As other reviewers have noted, this is not a general DBMS book, although good design principles are followed. If you want a relatively short and comprehensive introduction to DBMS, I recommend Pratt and Adamski's _Concepts of Database Management_ 6th ed. There are many outstanding DBMS books out there, but Pratt and Adamski is the arguably the briefest. The chapters on normalization are very good--very practical with very little set theory. I regard database design as little more than applied set theory, and if your set theory is weak, Pratt and Adamski is the book for you.

I used this same book as a textbook a few semesters ago, but sold it back. Was very pleased to find it again at such a bargain. Arrived way ahead of shipping schedule, now sits on my desk at work where I use it almost daily.

This was a text book I used in school. I still use it as a reference even though I am done with my classes. Thank you for your prompt shipping and excellent service.

I won't write a detailed review here because there are many others that already point on the shortcomings of this book. This was a required text for a second level database class and right from the start it seemed like a real step back in comparison to the book used I used in my first class, however I wouldn't even say this is a beginners book because it never even tells you much about databases. The book starts off with tossing the SQL at you and this is the part that I like the least because the book is meant to be a multi-flavor approach for and DBMS specific language. Anyone would be better off picking up a book that focuses on the DBMS specific language they are interested in rather than using this book. If a person is new, how confusing is it to say here is the query you need for Access, use this format for MySQL, but neither of those will work in Oracle, you have to use this format? This books approach is a lot like learning Spanish, German, and Chinese at the same time.

This is a complete and clear introductory text book. It covers the basics throughly. The material is presented logically and is easy to follow and understand. My one complaint is the use of gray boxes for impotent notes and additional information. The gray background screening is so dark that I could only read it in a brightly lit room. It appears the text was originally designed to be printed in color but went to production in B&W without any formatting adjustments. As with all college texts, it is seriously over priced, but what can you do?