MySQL, Second Edition [Paperback]

Larry Ullman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 20, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0321375734 | ISBN-13: 978-0321375735 | Edition: 2

Even if you've never used MySQL before, this Visual QuickStart Guide will have you up and running with the world’s most popular open source database application in no time. In this completely updated edition of our best-selling guide to MySQL, leading technology author Larry Ullman uses his trademark crystal-clear instructions and friendly prose to introduce you to everything that’s new in MySQL. Filled with step-by-step, task-based instructions and loads of visual aids, this book explains how to interact with MySQL using SQL, the language common to all databases. The interface examples show how to use MySQL’s own tools and how to use three popular programming languages (PHP, Perl, and Java). The book covers MySQL versions 3 and 4, as well as everything new in the eagerly anticipated version 5. Along the way, you'll find extensive coverage of MySQL installation, administration, database design, as well as its use with various programming languages, database programming techniques, utilities, advanced MySQL and SQL, and more!

•    Takes an easy, visual approach to teaching MySQL, using pictures to guide you through the software and show you what to do.
•    Works like a reference book—you look up what you need and then get straight to work.
•    No long-winded passages—concise, straightforward commentary explains what you need to know.
•    Affordably priced, because buying a computer book shouldn’t be an investment in itself.
•    Companion Web site at www.DMCInsights.com/mysql2 contains complete source code for examples in the book, online resources, extra scripts and tutorials, updates, a reader forum, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

With the Web extending into every nook and cranny of modern life, there are plenty of folks out there who have data storage issues that need to be addressed-Ñbut no million-dollar budgets to do so. Luckily for them, there's MySQL. Offering Oracle-like power without the huge price tag, MySQL offers a networked database that can be accessed in numerous ways-Ñall of which are described in this invaluable reference. In the clear, concise language readers have come to expect from this popular series, this Visual QuickStart Guide demonstrates how to interact with MySQL--both directly and through various popular programming languages (for example, PHP, Perl, and Java). Step-by-step instructions, practical examples, plenty of screen shots, and loads of useful tips and tricks make learning MySQL a breeze, even for novice programmers. Focusing first on the underlying conceptsÑWhat are databases? What is MySQL?--author Larry Ullman then proceeds through installation, administration, database design, and more before tackling MySQL's use with various programming languages, database programming techniques, and utilities. Web developers, system administrators, programmers, and just about anybody who uses databases will find themselves turning again and again to this essential guide.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Larry Ullman is the Director of Digital Media Technology at DMC Insights, Inc., a firm specializing in information technology. He is the author of several books on PHP, MySQL, and Web development, including PHP for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart Guide (1st and 2nd editions). In addition to writing, he develops dynamic Web applications (in PHP and ASP.NET), conducts training seminars (on PHP, Oracle, and SQL), and teaches at the University of California Berkeley Extension Online.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 2 edition (May 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321375734
• ISBN-13: 978-0321375735
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Despite having written many computer books, I have no formal computer training, save for one Pascal class way, way, way back in high school. So I like to say that I'm not a computer geek, although I can speak their language.

My formal education was in impractical knowledge: English literature, language, and writing; philosophy and religion (with a heavy emphasis on symbolic logic); and, Latin. As you can see, nothing really useful here. I guess what I did figure out is how to learn something new, how to synthesize all the information I come across, and how to communicate what I've learned in a clear and effective manner.

Since college I've worked at a national bookstore chain, at the main library at Georgetown University, and then for DMC Insights, Inc. I started as the head of the Digital Media Technologies department, where my main focus was on developing dynamic Web sites. I've since been promoted to President of the company, but that's not as impressive as it may sound! Most of my time is spent writing (books and articles), teaching (online and in small group settings), and actually using the technologies that I write about and teach.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid introduction, December 14, 2002

By 

macktheknife (Northern, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MySQL (Paperback)

The Peachpit Press' Visual QuickStart series is designed for an audience who prefer step-by-step instructions on using programs but can't stand the superficial coverage and the patronizing tone of the Dummies series. Larry Ullman's "MySQL: Visual QuickStart Guide" is a solid introduction to a popular open source database program that's quickly becoming an industry standard. If you want a step-by-step tutorial showing you know how to set up a MySQL database and learn about the basics of relational database programming, this book's for you. Ullman even shows step-by-step instructions for different platforms, ensuring that no matter what OS you use, you won't get lost in the tutorial.

If you have already successfully installed your MySQL database and have tinkered around creating manipulating a few databases, you don't need this book. Instead, turn to Paul DuBois' wonderful and highly-acclaimed "MySQL" published by New Riders. I also recommend that book for readers who have successfully completed Ullman's book.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From total novice to in-the-know, July 27, 2004

By 

Ryan Greenberg (Los Andes, Chile) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MySQL (Paperback)

Larry Ullman's Visual QuickStart Guide is top-notch. At the beginning of the summer, I knew nothing about MySQL. Now I am SELECT-ing, INSERT-ing, and doing all other sorts of MySQL like a pro, or at least like someone who understands what is going on.

This book is divided into 3 major sections in my mind. The first 100 or so pages deal with installing MySQL, creating databases, and using SQL queries to do thing. The next 80 pages are about using MySQL in conjunction with various languages: PHP, Perl, and Java. The last 100 pages have helpful solutions (how to make a search engine, or present result pages when doing a search), a section on MySQL administration, and some useful appendicies.

Like most QuickStart Guides, you can jump around in this book and use it as a reference manual, though you really need to read from chapter 2 to 4 if you are new to relational databases in general or MySQL in particular.

Chapter 3 on Database Design is excellent. I walked through it step-by-step and followed the instructions to plan out my database. The database has been working very well, and I felt that I really understood what was going on instead of just entering commands and hoping they worked.

Chapter 4 and 5, which explain MySQL commands and functions, are likewise very well done and useful.

My only criticism is that sometimes the code presented in the latter sections of the book gets mired-down in lots of HTML tags which can make things a little difficult to read.

There is not much here for fairly intermediate to advanced users who already know MySQL. If that is you, perhaps another book would serve you better.

In summary: if you want to understand and use MySQL and have little to no knowledge of it currently, this book is for you.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Post-purchase support makes the difference, January 19, 2004

By 

John J. Vosmek III (Takoma Park, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MySQL (Paperback)

Another reviewer mentioned "bugs" in this book, i.e., commands in the book that don't work. as I understand it, one of the difficulties with open-source software is that in can be available in a number of different packages from a number of different distributors that all work in slightly different ways. Therefore, if you're not using exactly the same version of MySQL, it's not going to work exactly the same for you. Given this inherent difficulty in writing a guide like this Larry Ullman does an excellent job. As some other reviewers have pointed out, the step-by-step approach of the Visual Quickstart Guides works really well for some people, like me. My first one was Liz Castro's HTML book, which got me hooked.

The best feature of Larry Ullman's book, though, is the fact that he has set up an online support site to accompany it. Larry personally answers questions from readers who have gotten stuck at various points. This is above and beyond the call of duty for most tech-book writers. Unfortunately for Larry, his wish to have more readers who have finished the book help out with the question answering hasn't come true yet, so if you do finish the book, go to the site and help him out!