Mastering Oracle SQL and SQL*Plus [Paperback]

Lex DeHaan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1590594487 | ISBN-13: 978-1590594483 | Publication Date: February 2005 | Edition: 1

SQL is the ANSI-standard language for accessing and manipulating relational databases. Anyone (programmers, administrators, or designers) who work with a relational databases need to understand the SQL language. While most books on the market do not properly cover the basics, this book differs: it explains fundamentals in detail, supported by realistic examples.You will gain full competence to define, access, and manipulate data in an Oracle database.

This book is an effective tool for you to write effective SQL for the Oracle database. The text is fully compliant with the latest version of the ANSI SQL standard, and fully update for the Oracle 10g database. This book is a translation of popular Netherlands college text (currently in its third edition). Author Lex de Haan is highly experienced with the Oracle database, and has twenty-five years of teaching experience. de Haan is also a member of the ANSI/ISO SQL standardization national body.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lex de Haan worked for Oracle Corporation fourteen years, including four years as the senior curriculum manager for the education division, among the product development groups. In March, 2004, de Haan decided to "go independent" again, with "hisNatural Join B.V." consultancy. de Haan specializes in education and consulting in the areas of relational data modeling, SQL tuning, physical database design, database administration, and database internals. He presents training seminars on these topics all over the world. Since 1999, de Haan has been a member of the Dutch national body of the ANSI/ISO standardization committee for the SQL Language, working on the SQL:1999 and SQL:2003 standards. de Haan is a founding members of the Oaktable network.

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: A-Press; 1 edition (February 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590594487
• ISBN-13: 978-1590594483
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful CD with 10g, March 13, 2005

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mastering Oracle SQL and SQL*Plus (Paperback)

The book presupposes no prior knowledge of Oracle SQL, or indeed of any SQL. de Haan writes for someone willing to study alone from this text, without benefit of the classroom.

Ah, but before I go further, I should add that there is one very attractive feature. The book has a CD with Oracle 10g for Microsoft Windows, and an associated Developer's License. You will need to install it to handle the many exercises he poses. (Another plus of the book.) But one can easily imagine an experienced developer getting the book for the CD alone.

Now if you do need to learn Oracle SQL, de Haan proceeds at a careful pace. He gives you the syntax in understandable chunks; not too much to overwhelm. SQL syntax diagrams can be formidable in their full glory. But piece by piece, you should be able to assimilate the content.

de Haan has also tried to keep to standard SQL syntax, as much as possible. At the level of an expected reader of the book, this is probably best. Oracle specific variants (just like other vendors' variants) tend to arise in more advanced contexts.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful and Comprehensive, February 12, 2005

By 

Michael H. Thomas (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mastering Oracle SQL and SQL*Plus (Paperback)

The main reason I love this book is because I can use it to teach someone, at any level, Oracle SQL or SQL*Plus by just pointing to sections and pages as examples. There are comprehensive query examples with Oracle and ANSI/ISO (SQL:2003) syntax, including specific Oracle limitations.

The details on SQL*Plus are excellent and even experts can learn quite a few essential tips. At many points reading the book I was provoked into testing further details on my own, because the approach is clear and helpful and it motivated me to think. A complete and accurate book including theory, syntax, examples, references and gotchas (caution and notes). It also includes 10g Oracle query features.

Great book. My copy gets used at work a lot. :-)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who really need SQL, February 10, 2005

By 

G. J. Hofstede "Gert Jan Hofstede" (Ede Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mastering Oracle SQL and SQL*Plus (Paperback)

This book gets you started as a beginner and takes you all the way to becoming an intermediate SQL expert. Even those who think they know SQL can learn a lot from the book. Lex de Haan is a rare bird: he is both a very good teacher AND a consummate SQL savvy seasoned by industry practice. Lex knows what errors people make and he sets all the traps, to pick you out after you've fallen into them.
And it's up to date with the latest Oracle stuff, without drowning in hype.
The smart exercises and answers make this book ideal for teachers. I've had loads of university students work with the Dutch version, and I've been sorry for the lack of an English equivalent. But here it is at last!