PostgreSQL: Introduction and Concepts (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

(Pearson Education) Presents the fundamentals of PostgreSQL, an advanced, feature-filled database server. Assumes no background in databases at all, but still moves quickly, going beyond mechanics and into the applications of simple commands in working database applications. Highlights common pitfalls and offers time and trouble-saving tips. Softcover. DLC: Database management.

From the Inside Flap

This book is about POSTGRESQL, the most advanced open source database. From its origins in academia, POSTGRESQL has moved to the Internet with explosive growth. It is hard to believe the advances during the past four years under the guidance of a team of worldwide Internet developers. This book is a testament to their vision, and to the success that POSTGRESQL has become.

The book is designed to lead the reader from their first database query through the complex queries needed to solve real-world problems. No knowledge of database theory or practice is required. However, basic knowledge of operating system capabilities is expected, such as the ability to type at an operating system prompt.

Beginning with a short history of POSTGRESQL, the book moves from simple queries to the most important database commands. Common problems are covered early, which should prevent users from getting stuck with queries that fail. The author has seen many bug reports in the past few years and consequently has attempted to warn readers about the common pitfalls.

With a firm foundation established, additional commands are introduced. The later chapters outline complex topics like transactions and performance.

At each step, the purpose of each command is clearly illustrated. The goal is to have readers understand more than query syntax. They should know why each command is valuable, so they can use the proper commands in their real-world database applications.

A database novice should read the entire book, while skimming over the later chapters. The complex nature of database systems should not prevent readers from getting started. Test databases offer a safe way to try queries. As readers gain experience, later chapters will begin to make more sense. Experienced database users can skip the early chapters on basic SQL functionality. The cross-referencing of sections allows you to quickly move from general to more specific information.

Much information has been moved out of the main body of the book into appendices. Appendix A lists sources of additional information about POSTGRESQL.Appendix B provides information about installing POSTGRESQL. Appendix C lists the features of POSTGRESQL not found in other database systems. Appendix D contains a copy of the POSTGRESQL manual pages which should be consulted anytime you have trouble with query syntax. Also, do not overlook the excellent documentation that is part of POSTGRESQL. This documentation covers many complex topics, including much POSTGRESQL-specific functionality that cannot be covered in a book of this length. Sections of the documentation are referenced in this book where appropriate.

This book uses italics for identifiers, SMALLCAPS for SQL keywords, and a monospaced font for SQL queries. The Web site for this book is located at postgresql/docs/awbook.html. 0201703319P04062001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 462 pages
• Publisher: Pearson Education; 1st edition (December 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201703319
• ISBN-13: 978-0201703313
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #205,589 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great first book on PostgreSQL, November 20, 2000

By	"ewolpert" (Scottsdale, Az United States) - See all my reviews

This is the first book I've seen on PostgreSQL. It's been in progress for sometime, and had been available in electronic form. However, the print version is sure to be a gem. It contains information needed by anyone trying to get a handle on PostgreSQL, beginner or advanced. The folks starting to use PostgreSQL will have alot of examples on standard SQL for database access, including transaction support. The more advanced users will appreciate the level of detail including how PostgreSQL differs from standard SQL (Good news is that this isn't by much) and integration with other tools. It also has good information about transaction requirements and ways they are implemented within the context of PostgreSQL, as well as how to increase performance. I gave it four stars out of five only because I thought it could have used more administration details and hints. Though the administration section in the book is still a good read, and it is clearly a topic that can take another book to complete. In short, I highly recommend the book for those wanting to learn more about this open-source database.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great overview of Postgres, January 16, 2001

By	Mel Beckman (Oxnard not just a pretty name, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's an odd commentary on the open source movement that, while open source code seems sophisticated and reliable -- as a result of the many hands working on it -- open source documentation, as a general rule, sucks. I believe that this book is the _first_ printed book on PostgreSQL. As such, the author is to be commended for his effort at collecting a great deal of useful Postgres info in one place, helping readers find the essential knowledge buried in the sea of online documentation.

The book's title says "Introduction and Concepts", letting you know this isn't an advanced treatise on Postgres. The first half of the book handily summarizes SQL and then dives into hands-on PostgreSQL, run interactively via the psql interactive utility. This is a nice way to give readers direct experience with Postgres, but it is also automatically limiting because readers never learn how to use Postgres in the context of an application. There is a chapter on programming interfaces, but it covers ten languages in ten pages, which isn't enough to impart any practical Postgres programming skills.

The second half of the book is a verbatim replica of the SQL Commands reference from the official Postgres user's guide. It's handy to have in the book, but it's hard to give the author any credit for simply pouring this stuff into his book unchanged. I would have liked to see some useful annotations from the author, reflecting his obviously considerable experience with Postgres.

I gave the book four stars in part because the author is breaking new ground by carving out a niche with publishers for future PostgreSQL books. I'm hoping a second edition of his book comes soon, replacing (or augmenting) those 250 pages of reference material with concrete programming examples in a variety of languages and interesting comments on usage. In the meantime, this book is a very nice primer for our new employees who have to come up to speed on PostgreSQL quickly.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Change the title, June 12, 2001

By	W. Gunadi (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First of all, this is not a book about Postgresql database, it's a book about introduction to SQL!

Considering the title, it should at least give some direction about how to install/configure, list the gotcha's, do's, don't's, etc. But this book starts with the assumption that you already have the database installed and ready to run, server and all.

I'm not kidding, it's actually listed in one of the first sections in the book that a running server is required to read this book. How does this match the "Introduction and Concepts" title???

A little pointer to the author if he's reading this, in his next book or second edition of this book, he should: 1. Explain where PostgreSQL fits in modern distributed architectures 2. Why would I want to use PostgreSQL instead of MySQL if I'm developing a J2EE application, how about CORBA? 3. How do I take advantage of the OO features of PostgreSQL to shorten the development time