Customer Reviews

Simply SQL

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Simply SQL is a basic introduction of writing SQL statements. It covers the elements of statement development, covers the keywords, and also includes a brief discussion of database design.

The writing is clear and concise, many of the "gotchas" of statement writing are covered. Some of the fine points of choices re data types are described.

This is a good introduction to the subject.

I found this book easy to read and understand. I liked that the code focus is on using ANSI standard SQL as this gives knowledge that will work across platforms on multiple database systems from free options like MySQL to common proprietary ones like Oracle and SQL Server. The examples are clear and well written and the figures are wonderful (as is usual in sitepoint products).

This book is not intended for people who wish to learn to become database administrators. It was written for web developers who want to have a better understanding of the basics of SQL. This is an important fact. If you fit this role, this book is excellent. If you want to go deeper, O'Reilly's Learning SQL is better.

I appreciated the book's focus on adhering to ANSI standards while noting how different databases from various vendors may require slight adjustments in coding. This book is suitable for people using any of the databases mentioned in the first paragraph and others.

The coding style was easy to read, but there were some odd quirks that I didn't like. For example, as noted by the author himself, he likes to put commas at the beginning of lines when making lists. This is the only place I have ever seen that done. Now, this isn't technically wrong, but it is unusual. I would have preferred to see code examples written with strict adherence to commonly accepted standards as this makes the task of reading other people's code or writing good and readable code easier. However, I guess doing it this way can also be seen as a benefit as it will remind the reader that there is more than one way to do things, and that in the real world he will be sure to encounter non-standard methods and have to adapt. Honestly, that is my only big complaint about the book, and it isn't a deal breaker.

If you are part of the intended audience for the book and are interested in learning SQL, this book should serve you quite well.

This book is by far the best SQL learning book I ever purchased. I struggle in college learning SQL from books that served it's purpose of confusing me and professors that couldn't teach but hold PhDs. I wished I had this book back then...so if you are a student learning SQL, consider yourself lucky to have a book this clear and concise. Buy it, it's totally worth it and throw away other books you have (please don't donate them to the library as you will be confusing other).

Me: Been working with computers since paper punch tape. Have maybe 100 or so total computer related books, e and traditional. Make my living on/with computers as an independent contractor.

Recently had to learn MySql to design a database with tables to handle millions of records. Spent hours on line and at the MySql forum going in circles. Then asked for tips on reading material, Simply SQL being one of six books recommended by the forum moderators. Although this book is about general pure SQL and not specific to MySql, it is in my opinion the very best book to start with period. Clearly covers in detail all aspects of SQL statements in English and presupposes nothing.

Mr. Limeback's writing style is very easy to understand. It is a bit repetitive, at times, which I found to be refreshing after going over a number of books on the subject which state something only once, maybe in an ambiguous manner, and then start right in on the next level leaving you wondering if you are confused because you are not getting the next concept, or you just didn't get the last concept with no way to extrapolate either case to a conclusion. Not with Simply SQL. All topics are straight forward with examples.

It is not a monster 1000 pager and does not cover everything: no book does. However what is there is fist rate and relatively complete.

Need to learn SQL for MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, etc. from scratch or are struggling to grasp SQL concepts? This book is the easy button to competency. That is just on the topic functionality side of it.

The book itself is a model of information exchange. It is organized logically, does not introduce new syntax with out explaining it, is written at the level of its target audience, beginners with out being remedial or leaving out information (an amazing feat), and of most importance, covers the topic in a manner which Mr. Limeback states makes the most sense, to which I totally agree.

Bottom line: One of the best computer books I've ever read.

Most SQL documentation and books show syntax and convoluted examples that you would never use in real life, or show such simple examples you can't use any of their queries in a real database.

Simply SQL explains the syntax simply, moving into practical examples of how to write SQL queries and administer databases. It's an excellent "getting started" guide for anyone building database-driven websites, but is also an excellent reference for the seasoned developers (like myself). There are always times when I'm not quite sure how to handle a particular query.

I'd recommend Simply SQL for anyone who needs to administer a database as part of web development or programming.

Are you a web designer or developer looking for guidance in learning SQL for your web projects? If you are, then this book is for you! Author by Rudy Limeback, has done an outstanding job of writing a book about SQL.

Limeback, begins by putting the SQL language into a perspective relevant to a typical web developer. Next, the author dissects the SQL SELECT statement into its component and clauses and gives you a taste of what's to come. Then, he will ease you through the tricky subject of database table joins, where you'll easily master the concepts of the inner join, left outer join, right outer join, full outer join, and cross join. He continues by showing you how to express conditions using SQL keywords: LIKE, BETWEEN, AND, OR, IN, EXISTS, and NOT; as well as, correlated subqueries. Next, the author shows you how to group works and the rules for its use. Then, he shows you how to write HAVING clause conditions, and how to use the HAVING clause without a GROUP BY clause. The author continues by showing you how to use the SELECT clause effectively, and how its scope changes in the presence or absence of the GROUP BY clause. Next, he focuses on sequencing the various data types, and the difference between sequencing the various data types, and the difference between sequencing and grouping. He continues by providing a detailed look at the various numeric, character, and temporal data types available for columns, and the rationales for their use. Next, the author introduces some topics that are the source of much befuddlement for many people new to databases. Finally, the author examines some of the common database structures that can be used to implement complex relationship between entities.

This most excellent book explored all of the aspects of SQL and database design that are required by web developers to develop efficient and effective web pages. More importantly, it covered not only simple examples of SQL that are relevant to you, but also more complex concepts using terminology that is not too obscure.

I purchased this book a while ago but I must say It's been an awesome book -- This gets down to what you need to know, seriously. I still flip back for references in it. I would recommend to anyone who wanted to get better at SQL.

I was a DBA back in the days of wooden planes and iron men. These days I test software. Recently, I've started doing some work that involves making sure that the data in the database matches the data shown in the user interface. It had been years since I'd run anything more complicated than a basic "select * from table" query, so I bought this book to brush up.

Good decision! I find Mr. Limebacker's explanations crystal clear and his examples very useful. I particularly appreciated his explanation of the different kinds of joins - he's finally got me writing modern SQL.

OK, enough about me. If you're approaching this book as a newbie to SQL, which is the most likely case, it will explain SQL to you very clearly and get you off on the right foot. If you're a coder and have no particular ambitious to become a database expert, it may be the only book on SQL you'll ever need. He's done a great job of covering a complex technical subject for beginners without dumbing things down.

Good: explains the select statement in a sensible order

Bad: about 3/4 of the book is in bold. Every once in a while it turns off the bold just to show you that yes, they really did use a bold face. WTF, didn't anybody proofread the book?

A good book if you can get past the shouting.

Teach yourself SQL the easy way, with a step-by-step guide to writing it. From the best SQL codes to discussions of standard syntax, database design best practices, and advanced operations, SIMPLY SQL is one of the best guides available for programmers new to the language and is a pick for any library catering to computer programmers and SQL designers.