SQL Demystified [Paperback]

Andrew Oppel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072262249 | ISBN-13: 978-0072262247 | Publication Date: October 25, 2005 | Edition: 1

There’s no easier, faster, or more practical way to learn the really tough subjects

SQL Demystified explains how to use SQL (Structured Query Language)--the ubiquitous programming language for databases. Readers will learn to create database objects, add and retrieve data from a database, and modify existing data. This self-teaching guide comes complete with key points, background information, quizzes at the end of each chapter, and even a final exam. Simple enough for beginners but challenging enough for advanced students, this is a lively and entertaining brush-up, introductory text, or classroom supplement.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The fast and easy way to learn SQL

Start programming in SQL right away using this easy-to-follow guide. SQL Demystified explains how to write and run database queries with SQL. Step-by-step instructions with lots of examples help you learn quickly.

The book begins by introducing you to relational database concepts. Then, you’ll learn to define database objects, retrieve data using the Data Query Language (DQL), maintain data using the Data Manipulation Language (DML), apply security controls using the Data Control Language (DCL), preserve database integrity, integrate SQL into applications, tune SQL statements, and more. Featuring end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam, this book will have you programming in SQL in no time.

Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, SQL Demystified is your shortcut to mastering this powerful programming language.

This one-of-a-kind, self-teaching text offers:

• An easy way to understand SQL
• A quiz at the end of each chapter
• A final exam at the end of the book
• No unnecessary technical jargon
• A time-saving approach

About the Author

Andy Oppel (Alameda, CA) has designed and implemented hundreds of databases for a wide range of applications, including medical research, banking, insurance, apparel manufacturing, telecommunications, wireless communications, and human resources. He is the author of Databases Demystified (McGraw-Hill/Osborne, 2004). His database product experience includes IMS, DB2, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, MySQL, and Oracle (versions 7, 8, 8i, and 9i).

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 1 edition (October 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072262249
• ISBN-13: 978-0072262247
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #375,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Andrew J. (Andy) Oppel is a proud graduate of The Boys' Latin School of Maryland and of Transylvania University (Lexington, KY) where he earned a BA in computer science in 1974. Since then he has been continuously employed in a wide variety of information technology positions, including programmer, programmer/analyst, systems architect, project manager, senior database administrator, database group manager, consultant, database designer, and data architect. He is currently a lead data modeler at Blue Shield of California.

In addition, he has been a part-time instructor with the University of California (Berkeley) Extension for over 25 years, and received the Honored Instructor Award for the year 2000. His teaching work included developing three courses for UC Extension, "Concepts of Database Management Systems", "Introduction to Relational Database Management Systems", and "Data Modeling and Database Design". He also earned his Oracle 9i Database Associate certification in 2003.

Aside from computer systems, Andy enjoys music (guitar and vocals), amateur radio, and soccer (Referee Instructor, U.S. Soccer).

Andy has designed and implemented hundreds of databases for a wide range of applications, including medical research, banking, insurance, apparel manufacturing, telecommunications, wireless communications, and human resources. His database product experience includes IMS, DB2, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, MySQL, and Oracle.

Andy has authored "Databases Demystified", "SQL Demystified", "Databases, A Beginner's Guide", and "Data Modeling, A Beginner's Guide". He is also co-author of "SQL, A Beginner's Guide, 3rd Edition" and "SQL, The Complete Reference, 3rd Edition". The 2nd edition of "Databases Demystified" is due out in the fall of 2010.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good "conversational" choice for your SQL education..., January 14, 2006

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: SQL Demystified (Paperback)

There is obviously no lack of titles on the subject of SQL. The main choice you have to make is whether you want a conversational or traditional style approach to your learning. Personally, I'm more into conversational, and I had the chance to review a book along those lines... SQL DeMystified by Andy Oppel.

Contents: Relational Database Concepts; SQL Concepts; Defining Database Objects Using SQL; Retrieving Data Using Data Query Language (DQL); Combining Data from Multiple Tables; Advanced Query Writing; Maintaining Data Using DML; Applying Security Controls Using DCL; Preserving Database Integrity Using Transactions; Integrating SQL into Applications; SQL Performance and Tuning Considerations; Final Exam; Answers to Quizzes and Final Exam; Index

The DeMystified series takes the approach of cutting through jargon and theoretical prose, and goes straight to the core concepts without all the trappings. As a result, I find it much easier to learn what I need to know, as well as how I can apply it immediately. Oppel uses the example of a film library database to take the reader through database concepts, normalization processes, and how the data can be manipulated within a relational database environment using SQL. Once you finish with the book, you will know everything in the way of base concepts. Your learning is also reinforced with a series of quizzes at the end. A nice way to measure your progress. Another positive is that the material is vendor-neutral, so you don't need to worry about whether you have the right software or not. Any relational database system will use these same concepts and processes. The author does point out areas in which certain vendor packages have differed in their implementation, so any large landmines you might encounter can be avoided.

It would be hard *not* to learn what you need to know from this book. As a result, you wouldn't go wrong with this choice for your SQL education.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Demystified, December 20, 2007

By 

Jepspele "Chee" (Reseda, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SQL Demystified (Paperback)

I thought this book was even simpler than SQL for Dummies. For a semi-beginner like myself, the book helped me navigate better with queries and scripts.

9 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Author expects you to create the practice database yourself, October 2, 2008

By 

pzacle (Orygun) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SQL Demystified (Paperback)

I'm new to SQL, but not new to databases. The author does a decent job of starting out in Chapter 1 with a discussion explaining databases. At the end of the chapter, he strongly encourages the reader to "create the sample database and run the examples in the book."

The database model is extensive, and it would take considerable time to replicate the database. This is time that I am not learning about SQL, which is why I started the book in the first place. He gives a link to the publishers website to download the SQL code to do his exercises, but the database is not there.

Readers expect that learning SQL requires a a sample database, and that database should be included with the book. That the database is not provided, and is not downloadable, is unacceptable.

There are MANY other choices where the databases are included with the book. I have abandoned "SQL Demystified" and will start over with another book that doesn't expect the database to be re-created.