MYSQL in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When you need to find the right SQL keyword or MySQL client command-line option right away, turn to this convenient reference, known for the same speed and flexibility as the system it covers so thoroughly. MySQL is packed with so many capabilities that the odds of remembering a particular function or statement at the right moment are pretty slim. With MySQL in a Nutshell, you get the details you need, day in and day out, in one concise and extremely well organized book. The new edition contains all the commands and programming information for version 5.1, including new features and language interfaces. It's ideal for anyone using MySQL, from novices who need to get up to speed to advanced users who want a handy reference. Like all O'Reilly Nutshell references, it's easy to use and highly authoritative, written by the editor of the MySQL Knowledge Base at MySQL AB, the creator and owner of MySQL. Inside, you'll find: A thorough reference to MySQL statements, functions, and administrative utilities Several tutorial chapters to help newcomers get started Programming language APIs for PHP, Perl, and C Brief tutorials at the beginning of each API chapter to help anyone, regardless of experience level, understand and master unfamiliar territory New chapters on replication, triggers, and stored procedures Plenty of new examples of how MySQL is used in practice Useful tips to help you get through the most difficult subjects Whether you employ MySQL in a mission-critical, heavy-use environment or for applications that are more modest, this book puts a wealth of easy-to-find information at your fingertips, saving you hundreds of hours of trial and error and tedious online searching. If you'reready to take advantage of everything MySQL has to offer, MySQL in a Nutshell has precisely what it takes.

About the Author

Russell Dyer is a freelance writer specializing in MySQL database software and is the editor of the MySQL Knowledge Base (http://www.mysql.com/network/knowledgebase.html). He is the author of MySQL in a Nutshell (http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/mysqlian/) and has writen articles for several magazines: Dev Zone (a MySQL publication), Linux Journal, ONlamp.com, The Perl Journal, Red Hat Magazine, SysAdmin Magazine, Tech Republic, Unix Review, and XML.com. He has also finished his first novel, "In Search of Kafka". More information on Russell, along with a list of his published articles with links to them, can be found on his web site at http://russell.dyerhouse.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 545 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 2 edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596514336
• ISBN-13: 978-0596514334
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #220,024 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars you need a background in SQL, May 8, 2005

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: MySQL in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

Well the book certainly seems to cover MySQL's features quite comprehensively. But, as it is a reference manual, it does not attempt to teach you MySQL or the theory of relational databases. For a given MySQL command, the book's explanation is succinct and useful. Provided you already have a background in the area. Much of the book's discussion is probably already available in equivalent form in the online help. But hardcopy is nice to have.

Going through the functions, what you might appreciate about MySQL is that many of these are generic SQL functions. If you come from any other SQL implementation, your background will be relevant to much of the book.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MySQL and how to use it effectively!, January 5, 2006

By	Rob Wehrli (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: MySQL in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

The book is "A Desktop Quick Reference" just as billed on the cover. It is explicitly MySQL-centric and doesn't stray from that core message. It is extremely up-to-date considering the rapidity of movement in MySQL development progress.

I feel that its author, Russell Dyer is the kind of person who is easy to talk to and immediately be comfortable with based on his style and presentation in this book.

The content of this book is very well organized in keeping with the finest traditions at O'Reilly & Associates. There is an installation guide, tutorial, SQL syntax reference, MySQL built-in functions section(s), command-line utilities reference and programming languages API references for PERL, PHP and C. These API references demonstrate commonplace MySQL usage through clear, easy-to-read examples that make good sense.

It is a very comprehensive text that reads as easily as a favorite novel yet is concise enough to be your first "go-to" on MySQL issues you may face day-in and day-out. It is truly the "most advanced kingfisher" (cover animal) on the topic and, like the Pied kingfisher, it is lightweight and demonstrates keenly honed survival skills.

I use MySQL daily and I find it very useful and enjoyable. I don't want to become an SQL guru or even a DBA, as a programmer, I enjoy having MySQL In A Nutshell close at hand so that I can focus on writing code. Thank you Mr. Dyer (and the folks at O'Reilly) for a job well-done! I heartily recommend it to everyone using MySQL. The convenience of this publication clearly outweighs its cost. Newcomers and RDBMS "old-timers" will appreciate this book equally.

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Solid Nutshell Book, May 17, 2005

By	Larry (Somerville, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MySQL in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

Ah, "Nutshell" books - you gotta love `em. Or maybe you don't. I won't get into the pros and cons of online documentation versus books because this subject has been rehashed ad infinitum. Truth is, there are pros and cons for both, and we each have our own reasons for our own preferences.
That being said, if you like book documentation - and "Nutshell" books in particular - then you will like this book. I happen to think it is a good idea to tear yourself away from the keyboard/screen every once in awhile, and the "Nutshell" books give you a good reason for doing so.
I'm not a SQL expert, so I liked the tutorial-flavored introductions at the beginning of each chapter, followed by the conversational tone of the clear and concise examples. I did not have this book when I first started programming using MySQL, and that's too bad because it could have saved me a lot of wasted time with its explanations of some of the more nefarious "gotchas" of the language.
I have but one criticism and one suggestion:
Criticism: The following APIs are covered at the end of the book: Perl, PHP, and C. I can see leaving out COBOL and Lisp (if there are even APIs for these languages), but Java? Granted, the Java interface to MySQL is well-documented in many places, but if you are discussing the *major* programming language APIs to MySQL then you should do just that.
Suggestion: The beginning of the book provides an introduction to MySQL via command-line instructions. I can see doing this, even though no one interacts with databases through the command line. What I think would be even more useful would be a brief discussion of the two tools that everyone does use: MySQL Administrator and MySQL Query Browser. A couple of chapters (along with some screen shots) of what they are, why we need them, where to get them, and how to use them would really make this book perfect. (If you don't forget that Java API chapter!)