Mastering MySQL 4 (Paperback)

by Ian Gilfillan (Author) "SO, YOU'VE OBTAINED A copy of this book..." (more)
Key Phrases: Sol Rive, Basic Administration, Poet's Circle (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
MySQL is the leading open-source database platform, and its popularity has grown with the widespread adoption of PHP for interactive web applications. With version 4, MySQL has added many new features and shown itself to be ready for widespread use. Mastering MySQL is a comprehensive guide to this new version, for both developers and administrators who want to get the most out of MySQL. It provides thorough coverage of SQL, both for the beginner and advanced user, as well as database design and normalization--topics often ignored in much database development. Readers will learn how to configure and optimize MySQL for high-volume usage and get the most out of the various transactional and non-transactional table types. Readers also get full coverage of common database tasks, including backup, maintenance, and replication. There is also a chapter on database security issues, a section on programming with MySQL, and references for most popular programming languages, including PHP, Perl, Java, Python and C/C++. Author Ian Gilfillan is lead developer for South Africa's premier news portal, has developed and taught web and database programming courses, and has written technical articles on MySQL.

From the Back Cover
MySQL Can Do More, and Now You Need to Know More

MySQL has proved it can compete with the big names in database management, such as SQL Server and Oracle, and with MySQL 4 this is truer than ever. Mastering MySQL 4 is your one-stop resource for all the information you need to create, maintain, use, and extend a MySQL database. It's also essential reading for anyone developing database applications in a MySQL environment. If you're new to MySQL, this is a great way to get up and running--fast. If you're upgrading, it will help you get all you can out of new features and support. Coverage includes:

Installing MySQL Adding, removing, and updating records Choosing appropriate table types Choosing appropriate data types Optimizing MySQL queries Designing a database Normalizing table structure Maintaining and repairing databases Backing up and replicating data Managing user permissions and security Optimizing the MySQL server Extending MySQL Developing database applications

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Product Details

• Paperback: 772 pages
• Publisher: Sybex (January 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782141625
• ISBN-13: 978-0782141627
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,057,761 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich in examples and very thorough, February 16, 2003

By	Jim (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews

While I am not new to databases, I am new to mysql and always spend the most time learning new syntax, processes and "features". The MySQL manual is very clear but left some questions unanswered for me. Mastering MySQL left me with no such gaps, and the numerous in-depth examples (including output) in this book help clarify commands and proper syntax. The book covers everything from installation to administration and includes syntax and function/operator references. These references are clearly detailed and contain a generous number of examples as well.

The book is written from a hands-on point of view which is how I learn best. One very nice aspect of the book is that it provides information for Windows and UNIX environments as opposed to focusing on one or the other.

There are very handy sections on several of the programming APIs, including PHP, Perl, Python, Java, C, ODBC and .NET.

Database beginners will find the sections on Understanding Relational Databases, Database Normalization and Database Design very helpful in understanding database terminology and functionality.

Finally, there is a very detailed index in the back of the book - I really dislike not being able to locate a topic in an index, especially when I know I read it somewhere in the book.

This is a very good overall book for the MySQL database and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to learn about MySQL.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, February 26, 2003

By	Kurt (Michigan) - See all my reviews

I like the tool coverage in this MySQL book -- it covers a lot of features which I haven't read about elsewhere, and appears to focus on practical solutions. Based on the three weeks I have been referring to this book, I would say it is the best MySQL book available.

Since it ostensibly covers version 4, the author should have covered secure socket connections in greater detail and given examples of its use. I would also have liked to see references to the text in the otherwise valuable appendix B. Overall, it seems very free of fluff and the examples seem to focus on the case in point.

Excellent book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, May 13, 2007

By	Paul C. Allsopp (In the desert) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book to be my very best friend when I started doing a lot of MySQL, and I use it often as a reference now.

The book is a great A-Z of everything MySQL 4.

It is a great technical read with lots of examples, clear concise reflection, and a fantastic appendix.