SQL: The Complete Reference [Paperback]

James R. Groff (Author), Paul N. Weinberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072118458 | ISBN-13: 978-0072118452 | Publication Date: March 1, 1999 | Edition: Bk&CD Rom

Providing the conceptual framework and insight into relational database technology, this how-to guide includes comprehensive coverage of every SQL feature and topic as well as current enhancements and extensions.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The ultimate guide to understanding and using SQL

Gain the working knowledge of SQL and relational databases essential for today's information systems professional. Relational databases built on the SQL database language are the foundation for modern enterprise data processing and are also a force behind many of today's most important trends. SQL: The Complete Reference provides an in-depth discussion of SQL fundamentals, modern SQL products, and SQL's role in trends such as data warehousing, "thin-client" architectures, and Internet-based e-commerce. This book is your one-stop resource for all you need to know about SQL. Together, the book and CD-ROM will help you:

• Learn the key concepts and latest developments in relational database technology
• Master the industry-standard SQL language for managing database information
• Understand the differences among all the leading brands of DBMS systems
• Create and use the sample database to run the SQL query examples in the book
• Set up and manage SQL-based databases and write programs to access them
• Understand how to use and program SQL databases with application servers and the Web to create e-commerce applications
• Find out about the proposed SQL3 standard and the key trends in object technologies, 64-bit architectures, distributed databases, 3-tier Internet applications and more
• Get quick answers to specific SQL language questions using the comprehensive appendices

About the Author

Paul N. Weinberg and James R. Groff are the authors of Using SQL, the book on which this guide is based. They were also the cofounders of Network Innovations Corporation, developers of SQL-based network software. Groff speaks and writes on SQL and UNIX topics. Weinberg is currently a developer at Apple Computer Corporation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1008 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill Osborne Media; Bk&CD Rom edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072118458
• ISBN-13: 978-0072118452
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,827,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Almost Complete SQL Reference, October 18, 2000

By 

"schapel" (Hillsborough, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SQL: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

The title of this book says it all: it's an extremely complete reference to the SQL language. It covers the SQL-89 and SQL2 standards and indicates the features found in SQL2 but not in SQL-89. It covers not only basic SQL data definition, queries, and updates, but also advanced topics such as transaction processing, security, embedded SQL, stored procedures, and object-oriented databases. It also explains how some of the more popular DBMSs vary from or extend standard SQL.

There are some places where the information on SQL is not quite complete. For example, the section on data types doesn't give the sizes of the integer types. As another reviewer mentioned, the section on built-in functions doesn't provide enough information to use some of the more rarely used functions. But these omissions are minor; overall, the completeness of information on SQL is quite impressive.

If you're totally new to relational databases, and you need to design a database schema, you'll want to also get a book on database modeling and normalization, because these topics are not covered. But if you know relational databases or merely need to write queries and updates on an existing database, this book will be more than adequate.

In addition, if you want to access a database from Java or Perl, you'll also want a book on JDBC or DBI, respectively. Perhaps a future edition of the book will cover these topics in the SQL APIs chapter, but they're probably too new to have made it into this edition.

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Out of date, March 18, 2004

By 

Leslie R. Hayden "spacegeek" (East Lansing, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SQL: The Complete Reference, Second Edition (Paperback)

This book needs a re-write to bring it up to the latest SQL standards. If you are still using Pre-SQL92 systems, this book is a pretty good reference.

However, it leaves out important new information such as the new JOIN syntax.

I recommend you check other texts to ensure this is the *one* that you want.

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will Keep You Out of Trouble, September 16, 2000

By 

"kimberlydaniels" (Chapel Hill, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SQL: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

First let me tell you why NOT TO BUY this book: You want to learn how to create SQL statements- there are lots of SQL manuals that are better, and easier to use as a reference because they are lighter in pounds. You want to learn advanced issues in creating a database- if you are that advanced you should buy a book about the particular issue you need help with.

Now let me to you WHY TO BUY this book: If you are just building databases complex enough to get into real trouble (and that happens a lot sooner than you may think) you must read this book. It gives an overview of all the problems you need to think about. Very simple databases can get into trouble if you aren't very careful about data integrity and security. This book will raise warning-flags in your head- to find out what do about those warning-flags, however, you may need to go to a book specifically about your application or problem.