SQL for Dummies [Paperback]

Allen G. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0764507370 | ISBN-13: 978-0764507373 | Edition: 4

Find out how to create and maintain powerful databases -- it's easy with this book! Databases are the best tools ever invented for keeping track of the things users care about. Understanding databases and SQL gives you tremendous power to access the information you need. This book shows you how to use DBMS to define, administer, and process databases and their associated applications. It shows programmers how to incorporate SQL into programs for powerful data manipulation and retrieval, including operation on non-text objects such as graphical images and sound files. It helps you take advantage of SQL's rich assortment of tools and powerful new object-relational features to snag all the information you need from your databases quickly and easily.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is the rare case of a book that can take you from a beginner to an advanced-intermediate level. Like many of the books in IDG's Dummies series, this volume begins with a definition ("What is SQL?") and ends with "The Part of Tens," a collection of tips in a top ten list form. Taylor writes in a breezy, entertaining style that SQL novices will find inviting. One caveat: The examples are given in Borland's Delphi, a rapid application development (RAD) tool. Some sections show several screen shots from Delphi and it may be difficult to follow along in these sections if you don't have the program in front of you. As with other Dummies books, SQL for Dummies is entertaining to read although the nonstop jokes may distract some readers from the technical content. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Take charge of relational databases!

Now updated with coverage of the SQL:1999 standard

Step-by-step instructions for database design and implementation

The fun and easy way to create and maintain databases with SQL
SQL gives you the power to create, manipulate, update, and retrieve information in any major relational database management system. But how do you get up to speed on this complex language? Relax! With Allen G. Taylor at your side, you'll be building tables, creating views, and writing nested queries in no time.

Discover how to:

• Understand SQL and relational databases basics
• Build a multitable database
• Retrieve data from a database
• Use SQL in Internet and enterprise applications
• Capitalize on new SQL:1999 features

THE DUMMIES WAY

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

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Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 4 edition (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764507370
• ISBN-13: 978-0764507373
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,318,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Allen G. Taylor is a 30-year veteran of the computer industry and the author of 30 books, including SQL For Dummies, 7th Edition, Crystal Reports 2008 For Dummies, Database Development For Dummies, Access Power Programming with VBA, and SQL All-In-One For Dummies. He lectures internationally on astronomy, databases, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He also teaches database development and Crystal Reports through a leading online education. For the latest news on Allen's activities, check out www.DatabaseCentral.Info or his blog at www.moontube.wordpress.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Starting Point, November 28, 2001

By 

Elderbear (Loma Linda, Aztlan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: SQL for Dummies (Paperback)

The last time I worked with databases, my entire computer (RAM + mass storage) had less than one MEGAbyte of memory. No hard disk, just two 360 kB floppy disk drives and 128K of RAM. I just got saddled with a data-mining project that will process tens of gigabytes of data in a networked environment. My analysis tools can use SQL to access the data. This book was the first thing I insisted on. (Kind of embarassing for a senior person to be seen carrying a thick yellow and black book with the word "DUMMIES" on it ...)

This has proven to be an excellent starting point. I know plenty about computers and programming. I vaguely remember the essentials of relational databases (for those who don't, basic information is in the book, it should be enough to get started, even if you are absolutely ignorant!) Taylor packaged enough of the right information that I could read his book over the weekend and dive into the planning stages of our project on Monday sounding like I knew a thing or two.

The book charts a course from the most basic elements of databases to modestly complicated database and query materials. The author discusses common pitfalls and useful strategies. This book isn't enough, by itself, to turn somebody into a database wonk, but it's a great starting point.

I got a bit annoyed by some of the "cute" material used to make the subject seem less threatening, but that filler doesn't take up too much space and is easily skipped. Also, the book is overly Microsoft centered--the author uses Windows applications as examples and champions Microsofts ODBC. A section about using SQL in a Unix/Linux environment should have been included (access from shell scripts, PERL, etc?). A solid four-star introduction to SQL and database technology in a Microsoft world.

(If you'd like to discuss this book or review in more detail, please click on the "about me" link above and drop me some email. Thanks!)

47 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not for your average 'Dummy', June 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: SQL For Dummies (Paperback)

I'm not sure why someone who already knows SQL would want to use a "Dummies" book. If 'SQL for Dummies' is indeed meant for the average "Dummy" then it skips the most important aspect of this series - catering to someone who knows little or nothing about the topic.

The jokes are not funny - and concentrating on the badly written text becomes increasingly difficult. The author does a poor job of introducing the SQL code and what each function does. He doesn't teach at all - which is what he should be doing.

For a great introduction to SQL, try Judith Bowman's 'The Practical SQL Handbook'. It is a far superior text - an easier read, insightful, helpful, and most of all - it teaches a novice the ins and outs of complex databases and coding in SQL for the REAL world. 'SQL for Dummies', however, does not fit in with the 'Dummies' series. If that's why you want this book, then look elsewhere.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Overall adequate, but could have been better, July 7, 2001

By 

David H Schneider (Botswana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SQL for Dummies (Paperback)

First off, I must stress that after I finished reading this book I did walk away with a far greater knowledge of SQL. To this end the book served its purpose and was worth the time/money I invested in the book.

My most serious criticism is that the early chapters introduced complex examples, which I forced myself to understand...only to discover that the author explained the issues more thoroughly at a later stage. On page 55 the author explains the MIN function with a sub/nested SQL query...introducing nested queries at such an early stage was a little confusing and it distracted me from the function being discussed.

As a result I spent considerable time working through the early chapters...but the later chapters were easy to follow.

Had the author taken a bit of time to consider the placement and appropriateness of each example, this book would have received a 4/5 rating in my mind. Of course an indirect advantage of this lack of fore-thought is that if the reader is prepared to work through the earlier examples the learning process is much more active.